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104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 151

Recognizing the importance of African-American music to global culture and

calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and

celebrate African-American music.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 1996

Mr. FATTAH (for himself, Mr. HILLIARD, Mrs. MEEK of Florida, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. GORDON, Ms. NORTON, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr.

DELLUMS, Mr. FOGLIETTA, Mr. HINCHEY, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. GONZALEZ, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. KLECZKA, Mr. KLINK, Mr. PASTOR, Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois, Mr. BARRETT of

Wisconsin, Mr. COYNE, Mr. CLINGER, Mr. UNDERWOOD, Mr. QUINN,

Mrs. CLAYTON, Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania, Mr. OWENS, Mr. FRAZER, Mr.

RUSH, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. JACOBS, Mr. THOMPSON, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr.

HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey, Mr.

CLEMENT, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. NADLER, Mr. CONYERS, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. HORN, Mr. STOKES, Mr. BROWN of California,

Mr. FLAKE, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. FROST, Mr. BRYANT of Texas, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. WYNN, Mr. RICHARDSON, Mr. FIELDS of Louisiana, Mr. LEWIS

of Georgia, Ms. WATERS, Mr. SCOTT, Mr. DIXON, Mr. LIPINSKI, and Mr.

ENGEL) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of African-American music to

global culture and calling on the people of the United

States to study, reflect on, and celebrate African-American music.

Whereas African-American music is indigenous to the United

States and originates from African genres of music;
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HCON 151 IH1S

Whereas African-American genres of music such as gospel,

blues, jazz, rock, rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop

have their roots in the African-American experience;

Whereas African-American music has a pervasive influence

on dance, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema,

media, advertisements, and other aspects of culture;

Whereas the prominence of African-American music in the

20th century has reawakened interest in the legacy and

heritage of the art form of African-American music;

Whereas African-American music embodies the strong presence of, and significant contributions made by, AfricanAmericans in the music industry and society as a whole;

Whereas African-American music has a positive impact on

and broad appeal to diverse groups, both nationally and

internationally;

Whereas artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, educators,

executives, and other professionals in the music industry

provide inspiration and leadership through their creation

of music, dissemination of educational information, and

financial contributions to charitable and communitybased organizations;

Whereas the multibillion dollar African-American music industry contributes greatly to the worldwide economy:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the importance of the contributions of

4 African-American music to global culture and the positive

5 impact of African-American music on global culture; and
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HCON 151 IH1S

1 (2) calls on the people of the United States to take

2 the opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the maj3 esty, vitality, and importance of African-American music.

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