June 12, 2025
Ms. Brown (for herself, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Stansbury, Mrs. Foushee, Mrs. McBath, Ms. McClellan, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Norton, Mr. Frost, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mrs. Sykes, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Bell, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Mfume, Mr. Amo, Ms. Omar, Mr. Peters, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Doggett, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Ansari, Mr. Soto, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Balint, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Nadler) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
Expressing support for the designation of June 2025 as Black Music Month
.
Whereas Black Americans have been creating and uplifting music since the founding of the United States;
Whereas Black music transcends genres and styles, but has had particular influence with Negro spirituals, sacred music, folk songs, doo-wop, funk, gospel, blues, classical, rock and roll, ragtime, jazz, rap, rhythm and blues, soul, hip-hop, pop, reggae, and heavy metal;
Whereas all American music and music around the world has been informed and shaped by Black music in untold ways;
Whereas Black musicians, artists, songwriters, composers, producers, sound mixers, arrangers, orchestrators, music educators, and personnel throughout the music industry have created some of the most successful and impactful music in the Nation’s history;
Whereas Black music has touched the lives of countless people worldwide;
Whereas Black music will continue to be a treasure of the Nation indefinitely into the future;
Whereas Black music has often been imbued with deeply emotional character related to the discrimination and mistreatment faced by Black Americans dating to the Nation’s founding;
Whereas Black music is sewn into the fabric of the Nation, including all its cultural facets, media, cinema and film, art, politics, and theater;
Whereas Black music has been central to the struggle for Black freedom throughout American history and during the civil rights movement;
Whereas President Jimmy Carter first recognized African-American Music History Month on June 7, 1979;
Whereas music has the capacity to open people’s hearts and minds; and
Whereas diversity is the Nation’s strength: Now, therefore, be it
Sec.
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
expresses support for the designation of Black Music Month
;
(2)
honors the stirring work of musicians, music creators, other artists, communities, and congregations in creating, uplifting, promoting, and celebrating Black music; and
(3)
calls upon the people of the United States to recognize Black Music Month
through actions and programs that—
(A)
elevate the artistry, skill, and talent of Black music and musicians;
(B)
perform and partake in Black music;
(C)
promote diversity, equity, and inclusion;
(D)
spread awareness of Black music’s impact and legacy;
(E)
honor and observe the deep-rooted history of Black music; and
(F)
spread joy, awareness, and understanding through Black music.