IIA 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 12 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 3, 2009 

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

JOINT RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of September 2009 as 

‘‘Gospel Music Heritage Month’’ and honoring gospel 

music for its valuable and longstanding contributions 

to the culture of the United States. 

Whereas gospel music is a beloved art form unique to the 

United States, spanning decades, generations, and races; 


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Whereas gospel music is one of the cornerstones of the musical tradition of the United States and has grown beyond 

its roots to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance; 

Whereas gospel music has spread beyond its geographic origins to touch audiences around the world; 

Whereas the history of gospel music can be traced to multiple 

and diverse influences and foundations, including African-American spirituals that blended diverse elements 

from African music and melodic influences from Irish 

folk songs and hymns, and gospel music ultimately borrowed from uniquely American musical styles including 

ragtime, jazz, and blues; 

Whereas that tradition of diversity remains today, as the influence of gospel music can be found infused in all forms 

of secular music, including rock and roll, country, soul, 

rhythm and blues, and countless other styles; 

Whereas the legacy of gospel music includes some of the most 

memorable voices and musical pioneers in the history of 

the United States, such as Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia 

Jackson, James Vaughan, Roberta Martin, Virgil 

Stamps, Diana Washington, Stamps Quartet, The Highway QCs, The Statesmen, The Soul Stirrers, Point of 

Grace, Smokie Norful, Terry Woods, James Cleveland, 

Billy Ray Hearns, Rex Humbard, Joe Ligon and The 

Mighty Clouds of Joy, Kirk Franklin, V. Michael McKay, 

Theola Booker, Yolanda Adams, Edwin and Walter Hawkins, Sandi Patty, The Winans, Kathy Taylor, and Brenda Waters, Carl Preacher, Shirley Joiner of B, C & S; 

Whereas many of the biggest names in music emerged from 

the gospel music tradition or have recorded gospel music, 

including Sam Cooke, Al Green, Elvis Presley, Marvin 


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Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Little Richard, 

Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, 

Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, and Randy Travis; 

Whereas, regardless of their musical styles, those artists and 

so many more have turned to gospel music as the source 

and inspiration for their music, which has blurred the 

boundaries between secular and gospel music; 

Whereas, beyond its contribution to the musical tradition of 

the United States, gospel music has provided a cultural 

and musical backdrop across all of mainstream media, 

from hit television series to major Hollywood motion pictures, including ‘‘American Idol’’, ‘‘Heroes’’, ‘‘Dancing 

with the Stars’’, ‘‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’’, ‘‘Sister 

Act’’, ‘‘The Preacher’s Wife’’, ‘‘Evan Almighty’’, and 

more; 

Whereas gospel music has a huge audience around the country and around the world, a testament to the universal 

appeal of a historical American art form that both inspires and entertains across racial, ethnic, religious, and 

geographic boundaries; and 

Whereas September 2009 would be an appropriate month to 

designate as ‘‘Gospel Music Heritage Month’’: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 That Congress supports the designation of ‘‘Gospel Music 

4 Heritage Month’’ which would recognize the contributions 


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1 to the culture of the United States derived from the rich 

2 heritage of gospel music and gospel music artists. 

Passed the House of Representatives July 31, 2009. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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