[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 305 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 305
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop and designating August
11, 2023, as ``Hip Hop Celebration Day'', designating August 2023 as
``Hip Hop Recognition Month'', and designating November 2023 as ``Hip
Hop History Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 20, 2023
Mr. Schumer (for himself and Mr. Cassidy) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop and designating August
11, 2023, as ``Hip Hop Celebration Day'', designating August 2023 as
``Hip Hop Recognition Month'', and designating November 2023 as ``Hip
Hop History Month''.
Whereas 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the creation of hip hop;
Whereas, on August 11, 1973, Clive ``DJ Kool Herc'' Campbell introduced his
innovative style of disc jockeying at an event organized by his sister,
Cindy Campbell, called the ``Back To School Jam'', which was held in the
recreation room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York;
Whereas, together, Clive ``DJ Kool Herc'' Campbell and the master of ceremonies
engaged the crowd with rap on the microphone, while partygoers known as
B-boys and B-girls danced, and introduced a new style, later known as
``hip hop'', which combined the elements of a disc jockey (commonly
known as a ``DJ''), a master of ceremonies (commonly known as an
``MC''), music, art, and dance;
Whereas Clive ``DJ Kool Herc'' Campbell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame in 2023;
Whereas, from the humble beginnings of hip hop in New York City, the music,
lyricism, dance, and art of hip hop has become a culture found in
communities across the United States, and has long been a worldwide
phenomenon;
Whereas the art and culture of hip hop is an original creation of the United
States and one of the most popular genres of music within the United
States;
Whereas hip hop has had notable Southern influences following its Northern
inception, such as jazz and bounce from New Orleans, Louisiana, the
blues from Mississippi, and country from the South, and these influences
along with other celebrated genres of music, such as disco, gospel,
soul, rock and roll, and Indigenous music from across the United States,
have all helped hip hop transcend boundaries and contributed significant
intellectual heritage and regional influence to the creation and
progression of hip hop over the last century;
Whereas the hip hop genre has been reinvented often over the years since 1973,
reflecting the State, city, and region of the music, from G-funk and
hyphy on the West Coast, to bass and trap in the South, to drill in the
Midwest, to many other sounds from coast to coast and from abroad,
including contemporary hip hop, which continues that trend by allowing
listeners not only to unwind and escape through a rhythmic beat but also
to resonate and empathize with the stories being told;
Whereas hip hop artists and supporters, originally of African heritage, now
transcend many different ages, ethnicities, religions, locations,
political affiliations, and socioeconomic statuses, which demonstrates
the versatility and inclusivity of hip hop art and culture;
Whereas the art and culture of hip hop have been adapted in many innovative
forms that are inspirational, challenging, humorous, thought-provoking,
and spiritual;
Whereas hip hop as a multidimensional art form and lifestyle continues to
produce new subgenres of music and stylistic lexicons and promotes new
cultural imprints, trends, and movements that reverberate across the
United States and around the globe;
Whereas hip hop has provided opportunities for extracurricular activities, youth
empowerment, creative outlets, physical fitness, vocabulary exercises,
poetry, analytical thinking, entertainment, employment, and economic
impact and has become an industry that generates more than
$1,000,000,000 annually;
Whereas hip hop art, education, and culture have positive effects on society;
Whereas, on August 11, 2023, the Federal Government, States, cities, and towns
will observe Hip Hop Celebration Day;
Whereas, during the month of August 2023, the Federal Government, States,
cities, and towns will observe Hip Hop Recognition Month; and
Whereas, during the month of November 2023, the Federal Government, States,
cities, and towns will observe Hip Hop History Month: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates August 11, 2023, as ``Hip Hop Celebration
Day'';
(2) designates the month of August 2023 as ``Hip Hop
Recognition Month'';
(3) designates the month of November 2023 as ``Hip Hop
History Month'';
(4) recognizes the 50 years of contributions of hip hop to
art and culture;
(5) encourages Senators to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of hip hop and support appropriate activities that recognize
the historic milestone and cultural legacy of the ``Back to
School Jam'' of August 11, 1973; and
(6) encourages local governments in the United States to
build partnerships with local hip hop entities and other
members of the creative arts and music communities in
celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop.
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