H.Res. 179 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 179 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 24, 2013 Mr. Conyers submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing International Jazz Day. Whereas Jazz music originated in the United States in the early part of the 20th century with roots in both African and European music traditions, and has been characterized as the United States greatest musical contribution to the world; Whereas Jazz music has been enjoyed for more than a century by people from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and has been a consistent unifying force among diverse populations; Whereas Ahmet Ertegün, the founder of the Atlantic Records, and his brother Nesuhi, the sons of Turkey’s second Ambassador to the United States, in the 1930s and 1940s organized the first-ever racially integrated jazz concerts at the Turkish Embassy Residence at a time when Washington, DC, was still segregated; Whereas in November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 of each year as International Jazz Day, recognizing the role played by Jazz music in uniting people from all over the world; Whereas legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock has served as co-chair of International Jazz Day festivities in his capacity as UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz; Whereas the Thelonius Monk Institute played a primary role in promoting the first annual International Jazz Day in 2012, which was celebrated throughout the world with concerts, education programs, seminars, lectures, book readings, public jam sessions, and other events, in more than 100 countries around the world; Whereas among the worldwide 2012 International Jazz Day events were 3 high profile celebrations, including a daylong festival in Paris, France, a sunrise concert at Congo Square in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a sunset concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City, New York; and Whereas Istanbul, Turkey, will be the host city for International Jazz Day in 2013, with a series of official celebrations, concerts, and educational programs taking place throughout the city to compliment worldwide events, culminating in an evening celebration concert at Topkapi Palace: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) congratulates the Republic of Turkey and the city of Istanbul for hosting the 2013 International Jazz Day and commends the Thelonius Monk Institute for its role in coordinating the worldwide celebration; (2) recognizes the historic connection between Turkey and the jazz music through the contributions of the Ertegün brothers; and (3) thanks Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik, and Turkish Ambassador Namik Tan for their assistance in assuring that the International Jazz Day celebration in Istanbul, Turkey, will be an important cultural and diplomatic success.