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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 372 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 372

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                June 24 (legislative day, June 23), 2008

Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 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.

Whereas the Nation should be urged to recognize the exemplary contributions that 
        African-American singers, musicians, and composers have made both to the 
        United States and the world;
Whereas 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;

Whereas artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, educators, executives, and 
        other professionals in the music industry provide inspiration and 
        leadership through their creation of music;
Whereas African-American music is indigenous to the United States and originates 
        from African genres of music;
Whereas African-American genres of music such as gospel, blues, jazz, 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 Black music has helped African-Americans endure great suffering and 
        overcome injustice with courage and faith;
Whereas 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;
Whereas June was first declared as Black Music Month in 1979 by President Carter 
        and has yearly been designated as National Black Music Month by all 
        concurrent Presidents;
Whereas 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;
Whereas producers of African-American music have come to be known as some of the 
        greatest musical talents who have enriched our culture and continue to 
        influence fellow musicians today;
Whereas African-American musicians have helped shape our national character and 
        have become an important part of our musical heritage; and
Whereas African-American music has millions of fans of different races and ages 
        in cities and towns all across the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Black Music Month;
            (2) honors the outstanding contributions that African-
        American singers, musicians, composers, and producers have made 
        to this country;
            (3) calls 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; and
            (4) 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.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2008.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.
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