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ABOUT In June 2008, dual legislation passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate designated September as Gospel Music Heritage Month.

MISSION To educate and celebrate the art form and rich heritage of all genres of gospel music through word and song.

HOW WAS GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH CREATED? Gospel Music Heritage initiative, was conceived by Charles Humbard CEO of UPtv and entertainment executive Alvin V. Williams, former employee of GMCTV (now called UPtv). Charles Humbard and Alvin V. Williams were discussing how to create a day that would recognize the rich heritage of Gospel music, that could be positioned to the advertisers and create original programming around this day. Alvin V. Williams spearheaded this initiative by researching the rich legacy of Gospel music. Researching, not just Black Gospel but the origination and the multiple branches of Gospel music.

Alvin V. WIlliams and Charles Humbard also began to reach out to other members of the community to help push this initiative along, John Stylls President of the Gospel Music Association of America (GMA), Neil R. Portnow, President of National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and Carl Davis. Carl Davis recommended to Alvin V. Williams that Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (Houston, TX) should be contacted in support of this initiative. After a conference call with all parties, Congresswoman suggested that Gospel Music Heritage initiative should be recognized during an entire month and not just a day, thus the new name, Gospel Music Heritage Month received it's official title. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee contacted Sen. Blanche Lincoln to support this initiative in the Senate.

Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee applied the research paper that was created by Alvin V. Williams on the rich legacy of Gospel Music to create the actual Resolution that would be presented to the House and Senate known as H. Res. 900 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hres900/text and S. Res 595.

In 2008, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) led the passing of a resolution in both chambers declaring September as Gospel Music Heritage Month. In each year since its establishment, both local and global celebrations have been held to educate and entertain diverse audiences with the rich history and legacy of gospel.

H Res 900 HRES 900 IH

110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 900 Expressing support for designation of April as `Gospel Music Heritage Month' and honoring gospel music for its valuable long-standing contributions to American culture.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 19, 2007 Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself, Mrs. BONO, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. ROSS, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, and Mr. HOYER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of April as `Gospel Music Heritage Month' and honoring gospel music for its valuable long-standing contributions to American culture.

Whereas gospel music is a unique and beloved American art form, spanning decades, generations, and races;

Whereas gospel music is one of the cornerstones of the entire American musical tradition 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 what is today known as `gospel music' is traced back to multiple and diverse influences and foundations, including African-American spirituals that blended diverse elements from African music, melodic influences from Irish folk songs and hymns, and ultimately borrowed from other 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, from rock & roll, country, soul, R&B, and countless other styles;

Whereas the legacy of gospel music includes some of the most memorable voices and pioneers in American history, such as Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, James Vaughan, Roberta Martin, Virgil Stamp, Diana Washington, Stamp Quartet, The Highway QCs, The Statesmen, The Soul Stirrers, Terry Woods, James Cleveland, and Billy Ray Hearns;

Whereas many of the biggest names in music came out of 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 the musical style, these artists and so many more have turned to gospel music as the source and inspiration for their music that has blurred the boundries between secular and gospel music;

Whereas beyond its contribution to the American musical tradition, 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 April would be an appropriate month for the establishment of a `Gospel Music Heritage Month' to celebrate the valuable contributions of gospel music: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of a `Gospel Music Heritage Month' to recognize the great contributions to American culture that have derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and its artists.