IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1055 
Honoring the Fisk Jubilee Singers. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 
Mr. DAVIS
of Illinois (for himself, Ms. JACKSON-LEE
of Texas, Ms. 
MILLENDER-MCDONALD, 
Ms. 
KILPATRICK
of 
Michigan, 
Mrs. 
CHRISTENSEN, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. JEFFERSON, Ms. NORTON, 
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. AL GREEN of 
Texas, Mr. FORD, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. SNYDER, 
Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. COOPER, Mr. WATT, Mr. OWENS, Mr. 
MEEK of Florida, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE 
JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. CLEAVER, and 
Mr. TOWNS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Honoring the Fisk Jubilee Singers. 
Whereas the Fisk Jubilee Singers are a group of young, male 
and female vocal artists who are students of Fisk Univer-
sity in Nashville, Tennessee, and who sing and travel 
worldwide; 
Whereas the Fisk Jubilee Singers are an a cappella ensemble 
that performs Negro spirituals originally sung by slaves; 
Whereas the first group of Fisk Jubilee Singers arranged the 
music and, beginning in 1871, took their show on the 
road; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
06:35 Sep 29, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1055.IH
HR1055
mmaher on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
•HRES 1055 IH 
Whereas this group of unknown singers, all but two of whom 
were former slaves and many of whom were still in their 
teens, arrived at Oberlin College to perform before a na-
tional convention of ministers; 
Whereas, after performing a few standard ballads, the Fisk 
Jubilee Singers sang spirituals and other songs associ-
ated with slavery; 
Whereas the performance was one of the first public perform-
ances of the secret music that African-Americans sang in 
the fields and behind closed doors for generations; 
Whereas songs such as ‘‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’’ and 
‘‘Steal Away’’ are part of the traditional repertoire of the 
Fisk Jubilee Singers; 
Whereas in combining the heritage of African culture and the 
experiences encountered while in bondage, this early Afri-
can-American music became a unifying and driving force 
among slaves in the United States; 
Whereas spirituals, as many of these songs came to be called, 
expressed faith in God, helped to make work more bear-
able, and also revealed plans to revolt; 
Whereas the songs’ lyrics offer a glimpse of the true horror 
of slavery, but also reveal the hope and faith of the 
slaves, that one day they would be free; 
Whereas spirituals were the voice for generations of African- 
Americans and laid the groundwork for the development 
of other forms of music in the United States; and 
Whereas each October 6, Fisk celebrates Jubilee Day to com-
memorate the original Fisk Jubilee Singers, who sang be-
fore kings, queens, and heads of state; who captured the 
hearts of all who heard their music; who introduced to 
the world the beauty and tradition of the Negro spiritual; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Sep 29, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1055.IH
HR1055
mmaher on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
•HRES 1055 IH 
and who, with steadfastness and commitment, practically 
financially rescued Fisk University: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors 
the Fisk Jubilee Singers. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
06:35 Sep 29, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR1055.IH
HR1055
mmaher on PROD1PC69 with BILLS