Gospel Music Heritage Month

Expressing support for designation of September 2008 as ‘Gospel Music Heritage Month’ and honoring gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States.

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself, Mrs. BONO MACK, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. HOYER, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. ROSS, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. CLAY, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Ms. LEE, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. NORTON, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. CARSON, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. COHEN, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. EVERETT, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. WATT, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. COOPER, Mr. BERRY, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. MOLLOHAN, Ms. WATSON, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, and Mr. JACKSON of Illinois) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Expressing support for designation of September 2008 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;

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 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 2008 would be an appropriate month to designate as ‘Gospel Music Heritage Month’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress supports the designation of ‘Gospel Music Heritage Month’ which would recognize the contributions to the culture of the United States derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and gospel music artists.