IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 179 

Recognizing ‘‘International Jazz Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 24, 2013 

Mr. CONYERS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing ‘‘International Jazz Day’’. 

Whereas Jazz music originated in the United States in the 

early part of the 20th century with roots in both African 

and European music traditions, and has been characterized as the United States greatest musical contribution to 

the world; 

Whereas Jazz music has been enjoyed for more than a century by people from varied cultural and socioeconomic 

backgrounds and has been a consistent unifying force 

among diverse populations; 

Whereas Ahmet Ertegu ̈n, the founder of the Atlantic 

Records, and his brother Nesuhi, the sons of Turkey’s 

second Ambassador to the United States, in the 1930s 

and 1940s organized the first-ever racially integrated jazz 


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•HRES 179 IH 

concerts at the Turkish Embassy Residence at a time 

when Washington, DC, was still segregated; 

Whereas in November 2011, the United Nations Educational, 

Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially 

designated April 30 of each year as ‘‘International Jazz 

Day’’, recognizing the role played by Jazz music in uniting people from all over the world; 

Whereas legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has served as co-chair of ‘‘International Jazz Day’’ 

festivities in his capacity as UNESCO Ambassador for 

Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonius 

Monk Institute of Jazz; 

Whereas the Thelonius Monk Institute played a primary role 

in promoting the first annual ‘‘International Jazz Day’’ 

in 2012, which was celebrated throughout the world with 

concerts, education programs, seminars, lectures, book 

readings, public jam sessions, and other events, in more 

than 100 countries around the world; 

Whereas among the worldwide 2012 ‘‘International Jazz 

Day’’ events were 3 high profile celebrations, including a 

daylong festival in Paris, France, a sunrise concert at 

Congo Square in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a sunset 

concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in 

New York City, New York; and 

Whereas Istanbul, Turkey, will be the host city for ‘‘International Jazz Day’’ in 2013, with a series of official celebrations, concerts, and educational programs taking place 

throughout the city to compliment worldwide events, culminating in an evening celebration concert at Topkapi 

Palace: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 179 IH 

1 (1) congratulates the Republic of Turkey and 

2 the city of Istanbul for hosting the 2013 ‘‘Inter3 national Jazz Day’’ and commends the Thelonius 

4 Monk Institute for its role in coordinating the world5 wide celebration; 

6 (2) recognizes the historic connection between 

7 Turkey and the jazz music through the contributions 

8 of the Ertegu ̈n brothers; and 

9 (3) thanks Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet 

10 Davutoglu, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tour11 ism Omer Celik, and Turkish Ambassador Namik 

12 Tan for their assistance in assuring that the ‘‘Inter13 national Jazz Day’’ celebration in Istanbul, Turkey, 

14 will be an important cultural and diplomatic success. 

Æ 


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