,,ia #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,j4 ,,res4 #c ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #c1 #bjac ,ms4 ,jackson ,lee introduced the following joint resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform ,,joint ,,resolution ,expressing support for designation of ,september #bjac as ,gospel ,music ,heritage ,month and honoring gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the ,united ,states4 ,whereas gospel music is a beloved art form unique to the ,united ,states1 spanning decades1 generations1 and races2 ,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 relevance2 ,whereas gospel music has spread beyond its geographic origins to touch audiences around the world2 ,whereas the history of gospel music can be traced to multiple and diverse influences and foundations1 including ,african-,american spirituals that blended diverse elements from ,african music and melodic influences from ,irish folk songs and hymns1 and gospel music ultimately borrowed from uniquely ,american musical styles1 including ragtime1 jazz1 and blues2 ,whereas that tradition of diversity remains today1 as the influence of gospel music can be found infused in all forms of secular music1 including rock and roll1 country1 soul1 rhythm and blues1 and countless other styles2 ,whereas the legacy of gospel music includes some of the most memorable voices and musical pioneers in the history of the ,united ,states1 such as ,thomas ,dorsey1 ,mahalia ,jackson1 ,james ,vaughan1 ,roberta ,martin1 ,virgil ,stamps1 ,diana ,washington1 ,stamps ,quartet1 ,the ,highway ,q,cs1 ,the ,statesmen1 ,the ,soul ,stirrers1 ,point of ,grace1 ,smokie ,norful1 ,terry ,woods1 ,james ,cleveland1 ,billy ,ray ,hearns1 ,rex ,humbard1 ,joe ,ligon and ,the ,mighty ,clouds of ,joy1 ,kirk ,franklin1 ,v4 ,michael ,mc,kay1 ,theola ,booker1 ,yolanda ,adams1 ,edwin and ,walter ,hawkins1 ,sandi ,patty1 ,the ,winans1 ,kathy ,taylor1 ,mavis ,staples and the ,staple ,singers1 and ,brenda ,waters1 ,carl ,preacher1 ,shirley ,joiner of ,b1 ,c ,s2 ,whereas many of the biggest names in music emerged from the gospel music tradition or have recorded gospel music1 including ,sam ,cooke1 ,al ,green1 ,elvis ,presley1 ,marvin ,gaye1 ,aretha ,franklin1 ,whitney ,houston1 ,little ,richard1 ,ray ,charles1 ,buddy ,holly1 ,alan ,jackson1 ,dolly ,parton1 ,mariah ,carey1 ,bob ,dylan1 and ,randy ,travis2 ,whereas1 regardless of their musical styles1 those artists and so many more have turned to gospel music as the source and inspiration for their music1 which has blurred the boundaries between secular and gospel music2 ,whereas1 beyond its contribution to the musical tradition of the ,united ,states1 gospel music has provided a cultural and musical backdrop across all of mainstream media1 from hit television series to major ,hollywood motion pictures1 including ,american ,idol1 ,heroes1 ,dancing with the ,stars1 ,o ,brother1 ,where ,art ,thou81 ,sister ,act1 ,the ,preacher's ,wife1 ,evan ,almighty1 and more2 ,whereas gospel music has a huge audience around the country and around the world1 a testament to the universal appeal of a historical ,american art form that both inspires and entertains across racial1 ethnic1 religious1 and geographic boundaries2 and ,whereas ,september #bjac would be an appropriate month to designate as ,gospel ,music ,heritage ,month3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that ,congress supports the designation of ,gospel ,music ,heritage ,month1 which would recognize the contributions to the culture of the ,united ,states derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and gospel music artists4