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 African- 
American singers and musicians have made to the United 
States. 
Whereas the Nation should be urged to recognize the exem-
plary contributions that African-American singers, musi-
cians, 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, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:29 Jun 25, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HC372.RFS
HC372
erowe on PRODPC61 with BILLS
HCON 372 RFS 
economic, and racial barriers to unite people of all back-
grounds; 
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 ca-
dence 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 Presi-
dents; 
Whereas African-American musicians have played a signifi-
cant role in inspiring people across the generations in 
America and around the world with their vision and cre-
ativity by writing lyrics which speak to the human experi-
ence and express heartfelt emotion; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:29 Jun 25, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HC372.RFS
HC372
erowe on PRODPC61 with BILLS
HCON 372 RFS 
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 dif-
ferent 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 cele-
brate the majesty, vitality, and importance of Afri-
can-American music; and 
(4) requests and authorizes the President to 
issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:29 Jun 25, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HC372.RFS
HC372
erowe on PRODPC61 with BILLS
HCON 372 RFS 
United States to observe such with appropriate cere-
monies and activities. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2008. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:29 Jun 25, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HC372.RFS
HC372
erowe on PRODPC61 with BILLS