[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16744]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTH

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. COHEN. This is Black Music Month. And we had a resolution to 
introduce and pass celebrating the 30th anniversary of Black Music 
Month. Because of the scheduling, it didn't come up. That is why I 
wanted to address that fact today.
  Black Music Month is important because it reminds people of the 
history of music in this country and the contributions of black 
Americans. Much of that happened in my city in Memphis, at Stax 
Soulsville, home of Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, Stax Soulsville Records, 
Al Green, Willy Mitchell and others, also Detroit and Motown and New 
Orleans and Fats Domino, Professor Long Hair, and many great musicians.
  But back to Kansas City, and Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis and Max 
Roach and Dizzy Gillespie, not all from Kansas City, but that from that 
jazz era, and others. Michael Jackson, of course, passed. Many great 
musicians whose music needs to be remembered and young people need to 
learn that music is a great way to pass on our culture and preserve it 
and a great way to enjoy their own life and experience a better way. 
I'm pleased this is the 30th anniversary of Black Music Month. And we 
need to enjoy music and soothe the soul.

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