HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 35

DESIGNATING JUNE, 2024 AS BLACK MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH .

WHEREAS, Black Music Appreciation Month is an annual celebration of African American music in the United States. It was initiated as Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter who, on June 7 ^th , 1979, decreed that June would be the month of Black Music ; and

WHEREAS, after the announcement by President Carter, the bill never passed until 2000 when activist Dyana Williams along with Kenneth Gamble and Ed Wright played an essential role in the creation and solidification of Black Music Month ; and

WHEREAS, historically, the development of Black Music occurred during and after slavery which formed genres such as gospel music or the blues; and

WHEREAS, Black Music became African American Music Appreciation Month in 2009 by President Barrack Obama. In his proclamation, President Obama noted that African American Music and Musicians have encouraged our country to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice and defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for ALL ; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, President Joe Biden returned the original name to Black Music Appreciation Month.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152 ^nd General Assembly that June is the month that includes the extraordinary Black Music contributions. This is an important piece of our American History which includes, Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Soul, R and B, Funk, Hip Hop and Rap.

SYNOPSIS

This House Resolution designates June, 2024 as Black Music Appreciation Month in Delaware.