IV

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 57

Expressing the sense of Congress respecting the designation of jazz as a

rare and valuable national treasure.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 8, 1997

Mr. CONYERS submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress respecting the designation

of jazz as a rare and valuable national treasure.

Whereas jazz has achieved preeminence throughout the world

as an indigenous American music and art form, bringing

to this country and the world a uniquely American musical synthesis and culture through the African-American

experience, and—

(1) makes evident to the world an outstanding artistic model of individual expression and democratic cooperation within the creative process, thus fulfilling the

highest ideals and aspirations of our republic,

(2) is a unifying force, bridging cultural, religious,

ethnic, and age differences in our diverse society,
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(3) is a true music of the people, finding its inspiration in the cultures and most personal experiences of the

diverse peoples that constitute our Nation,

(4) has evolved into a multifaceted art form which

continues to give birth to and to nurture new stylistic idioms and cultural fusions,

(5) has had a historic, pervasive, and continuing influence on other genres of music both here and abroad,

(6) has become a true international language adopted by musicians around the world as a music best able

to express contemporary realities from a personal perspective, and

(7) has provided a creative paradigm broadly influential on other contemporary art forms, including dance,

literature, theater, film, and the visual arts;

Whereas this great American musical art form has not yet

been properly recognized nor accorded the institutional

status commensurate with its value and importance;

Whereas it is important for the youth of America to recognize

and understand jazz as a significant part of their cultural

and intellectual heritage;

Whereas there exists no effective national infrastructure to

support and preserve jazz;

Whereas documentation and archival support required by

such a great art form has yet to be systematically applied

to the jazz field;

Whereas it is in the best interest of the national welfare and

all of our citizens to preserve and celebrate this unique

art form;
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Whereas the continuing development of new technologies and

avenues of communication offer formidable possibilities

as well as challenges to artists and audiences;

Whereas recent research has proven the positive cognitive impact of jazz education and appreciation on childhood development;

Whereas there is an increasing emphasis on public-private

partnerships at the cutting edge of support for cultural

institutions and the arts; and

Whereas the last decade has seen the passing of all but a few

of the artists who made definitive contributions in the development of traditional jazz, swing era jazz, and modern

jazz: Now, therefore be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that jazz

3 is hereby designated as a rare and valuable national Amer4 ican treasure to which we should devote our attention,

5 support, and resources to make certain it is preserved, un6 derstood, and promulgated.

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