Supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 372, Supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Michigan, Representative Kilpatrick. This important resolution honors, recognizes, preserves, and promotes the legacy

and contributions that Black Music and African American singers and musicians have made to our great Nation.

Black Music has been woven into the fabric of American Society for centuries, deeply impacting hundreds of generations. The music of African-Americans is the music of America, and has historically transcended social, economic, and racial barriers to unite people of all backgrounds. African American artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, educators, executives, and other professionals in the music industry provide inspiration and leadership through their creation of music, and their value to the African American community cannot be overstated.

African-American music is indigenous to the United States and originates from African genres of music. From gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop, African Americans musical roots can be heard throughout many musical genres that we love today. African- American music has had a pervasive influence on dance, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, media, advertisements, and other aspects of culture and this legislation commends its pervasive influence. Furthermore, Black music has helped African-Americans endure great suffering and overcome injustice with courage and faith. Civil rights demonstrators often marched to the cadence of many songs written and composed as gospels or spirituals that were created on the fields of slaves.

As we know, African-American music is an American art form that has spanned throughout hundreds of years. Its musical elements can be heard melodiously infused in many genres that we love today. It has grown beyond its roots to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance, touching audiences around the world. According to the Gospel Music Channel, ``Gospel music sales now account for nearly 8 percent of all music purchased in the United States, selling seven CDs for every ten purchased in country music.''

Regardless of their musical styles, artists have turned to Black music as the source and inspiration for their own music, which has blurred the boundaries between secular and Gospel music. African- American musicians have played a significant role in inspiring people across the generations in America and around the world with their vision and creativity by writing lyrics which speak to the human experience and express heartfelt emotion. This important legislation requests and authorizes the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

In 1979, President Carter first declared June as Black Music Month, an honor that has yearly repeated by the designation of National Black Music Month by all concurrent Presidents. African-American musicians have helped shape our national character and have become an important part of our musical heritage and African-American music has millions of fans of different races and ages in cities and towns all across the United States. I am proud to support this legislation that honors the outstanding contributions that African-American singers, musicians, composers, and producers have made to this country and call on the people of the United States to take the opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the majesty, vitality, and importance of African- American music.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation that supports the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and I urge all my colleagues to join me in so doing.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. Con. Res. 372, a resolution I introduced honoring June as Black Music Month. This bill honors the outstanding contributions that African American singers, composers, producers, and musicians have made to the United States and the world.

This resolution expresses our appreciation for and the value of the contributions of African Americans to various genres of music. The roll call of African Americans who have contributed to the uniquely American born but internationally acclaimed mode of music is stellar and stunning. This music, often created against incredible odds, has served as a chronicle of our time and enriches our Nation.

Civil rights demonstrators often marched to the cadence of ``People Get Ready'' or the numerous gospel or spiritual songs created in the fields by slaves. One of the most beloved gospel songs of all time is ``Precious Lord, Take My Hand'' by Hall of Fame composer and writer Thomas Dorsey. The music of African Americans is the music of America, and has historically transcended social, economic and racial barriers to unite people of all backgrounds. Young America danced to the rhythm of the sound that emanated from Stax Records of Memphis, Chess Records of Chicago, and from my home town of Detroit, Michigan, through Motown.

Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Anita Baker, and The Temptations are just a few of the tremendously talented artists that hail from the great city of Detroit. Detroit is the also the birthplace of music mogul Berry Gordy's great Motown empire. Motown ushered in a new wave of talent and music across the world. The Motown Sound was brilliantly and meticulously crafted in what is now Hitsville, USA, the original Motown studio located in my district. The impeccable standards of excellence in craftsmanship set Motown and Detroit apart as trailblazers in several musical genres, as recognized through their numerous Grammy Awards, NAACP Awards and other accolades. Motown did far more than produce music. It broke substantial barriers to help to unite the world across race, class and gender lines.

Although Motown has received the most international acclaim for the music produced during the infamous Motown era that spanned decades, Detroiters have also made other tremendous contributions to the musical world. The historical Black Bottom district was a hub for big bands and legendary jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Detroit is also well known for its immense contributions to gospel music. Reverend C.L. Franklin, Della Reese, The Winans and the Clarke Sisters all have roots in the City of Detroit.

Detroit's copious musical history and myriad of noteworthy, award- winning contributions have instilled a great sense of pride in all of its citizens and, hopefully, all Americans. Take some time during the month of June to exhibit said pride and honor all those Black artists that made indelible contributions to the soundtrack of our lives. Give honor to whom honor is due. Join me in spending this month immersing yourself and your loved ones of all ages in the rich array of music that African-Americans have contributed to our great Nation. I encourage all Americans to utilize the celebrations to honor the men and women who have created some of the most influential music our Nation has ever produced. I also want to honor the radio stations and the DJs, like Frankie Darcell, that play this timeless and wonderful music. As we spend time recognizing the contributions of these artists, let us remember that this music is not just African-American music. This music is American music--an integral part of all Americans' heritage.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 372) supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States.

I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 372 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 372, which supports the goals of Black Music Month. This is an appropriate time to honor the outstanding contributions African American singers and musicians have made to the United States. The Nation benefits culturally and economically from the experience of black musicians. Today, I stand to honor the influence of African American musical artists.

African American music has strong ties to African heritage. The complex rhythm, melodic harmony, and active call-and-response nature of African American music are products of deep African traditions. Many Negro spirituals performed and written by African Americans not only commemorated the African Diaspora but helped to create social change.

In April of 1960, in Monteagle, Tennessee, a 16-year-old girl named Jamila Jones stood in a crowd of nonviolent segregation protestors and began singing, ``We Shall Overcome'' to a group of armed and hostile deputies. That night, the deputies withdrew and let the students sing. ``We Shall Overcome'' is a Negro spiritual taken from Reverend Charles Tindley's, ``I'll Overcome Some Day.'' Other songs, such as, ``Swing Low Sweet Chariot,'' ``There is a Balm in Gilead,'' and ``Lift Every Voice and Sing,'' are all prominent African American ballads that were instrumental in the Civil Rights movement.

Other genres of music are rooted in the black experience as well. The origins of gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, and rap are all closely linked to African American culture. These genres have enormous impact on our Nation at large.

President Carter acknowledged the influence and contribution of black music when he first declared June as, ``Black Music Month,'' in 1979. Black musicians inspire people across generations and around the world with their creativity, vision, and ability to speak to the human experience. The long history of African American music has helped shape our Nation and musical heritage.

There are millions of African American music fans of different races and ages all across our Nation. I support this bill and I honor the goals and ideals of Black Music Month, along with the many contributions of black musicians to the American people.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 372, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 372, supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States.

From the days of slavery and discrimination, through the progress of the Civil Rights movement, to today, black music has told the story of the African American experience. In addition to giving voice to black struggles, faith, and joys, African American music has helped also to bring people together. During Black Music Month, we celebrate this integral part of music history by highlighting the enduring legacy of African American musicians, singers, and composers.

In the early days, black music was used to share stories, spread ideas, preserve history, and establish community. These spirituals eventually evolved into a genre that remains vibrant and very meaningful today, gospel music. This great musical tradition developed under the leadership of people like Thomas Dorsey, who was known as the Father of Gospel Music.

In the early 20th century, the progression of jazz took place all over the country, from the deep south of New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta, to northern cities such as Chicago and New York. Jazz captured the interest of 20th century America, making household names of great African American artists like Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. The unparalleled brilliance of these and other great jazz musicians had an extraordinary effect upon the American musical tradition, while bringing great pleasure to millions of fans.

Later, rhythm and blues emerged, synthesizing elements from gospel, blues, and jazz; and from these styles came the birth of rock and roll.

A fabulous array of artists helped to pioneer this modern musical transformation, including Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.

African American music continues to influence the American music scene today with styles such as rap and hip-hop. As we celebrate the many creative and inspiring African American artists whose efforts have enhanced our Nation, we recognize their enduring legacy and look to a future of continued musical achievement.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 372, honoring the outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians have made to the United States. June 2008 marks the 29th year of national recognition of Black Music. It is difficult to imagine American music without the rich and continuing innovations of African Americans. Prompted by Songwriter/producer Kenny Gamble, producer Berry Gordy, and artist Stevie Wonder, President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month in 1979.

From the African American spirituals created and sung by those who were enslaved or who were striving for equal rights, to the celebration of faith in gospel music, to the trials and struggles of life illuminated in blues, the music throughout the years served as a narrative to the African American experience. The number of actual contributors to the African-American Music Movement is immeasurable, and the impact of these artists on American music and culture has been astounding. African American artists have influenced the development of all branches of American popular culture including rock, country, and popular or ``pop'' music. Artists such as Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson, who lived in my home State of Connecticut, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye set the tone for American music and have influenced artists and musicians across generations throughout the globe.

And so Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the numerous African American musicians and singers who have enriched and defined the various forms of American Music and urge the passage of this bill.