IAAAM - Founders

HOUSE RECOGNIZES IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC

Unanimous Vote also Reaffirms June as African-American Music Month

Tuesday, June 6, 2000

WASHINGTON, DC -- Almost two years after the U.S. House of Representatives first acknowledged the importance of African American Music to our culture, the House today reaffirmed June as African-American Music Month. Passing unanimously (382 - 0), Congressman Chaka Fattah’s House Resolution 509 recognizes the importance of African-American music to global culture and calls on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate African-American music. “Music is just one of the many powerful contributions Afri can-Americans have made to this society and to world culture,” said Congressman Fattah (D-PA). “I am pleased that this bill passed in the month of June -- a month to celebrate the impact of African-American music.” House Resolution 509 acknowledges music such as gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rap, Motown, and hip-hop, have their roots in the African-American experience; African-American music has a pervasive influence on dance, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, media, advertisements, and other aspects of culture; and the prominence of African-American music in the 20th century has reawakened interest in the legacy and heritage of the art form of African-American music. This bill encourages the study, promotion and preservation of the diversity and nobility that characterizes this music. It also reminds us all that the history of African-Americans is woven into the economic, social, cultural and political fabric which distinguishes the United States from other nations. In addition, House Resolution 509 acknowledges the support of African-American Music Month by Presidents Carter and Clinton.

###

International Association of African American Music Foundation Corporate Office
P.O. Box 382 Gladwyne,PA 19035
Phone: 610-664-8292 Fax: 610-664-5940 E-Mail: IAAAM1@aol.com