III 

110TH CONGRESS 

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 AfricanAmerican 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, 


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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; 


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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 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Black 

4 Music Month; 

5 (2) honors the outstanding contributions that 

6 African-American singers, musicians, composers, and 

7 producers have made to this country; 

8 (3) calls on the people of the United States to 

9 take the opportunity to study, reflect on, and cele10 brate the majesty, vitality, and importance of Afri11 can-American music; and 

12 (4) requests and authorizes the President to 

13 issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the 


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1 United States to observe such with appropriate cere2 monies and activities. 

Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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