December 19, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 206 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1630-E1631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING MR. ELWYN RAYMER FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC 
                                INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
President and CEO of the Church Music Publishers Association's (CMPA) 
Action Fund, Mr. Elwyn Raymer, for his 50-year career dedicated to 
bettering the music publishing industry.
  In 1966, Raymer moved to Music City and became Music Editor for 
Broadman Records and Music at the Baptist Sunday School Board, 
currently known as Lifeway. During his time as Music Editor, he 
produced and published the musical Celebrate Life. This musical touched 
the lives of millions nationwide and sold more than 600,000 copies.
  As Executive Vice President of Triune Music and Triangle Records and 
President of Lorenz Creative Services, Raymer focused on his advocacy 
for songwriters, artists, and publishers. In 1990, Raymer joined 
Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) where he helped establish the group's 
entry and success into Contemporary Christian Music. During his tenure 
at BMG, he became a leader for his ability to carry out acquisitions 
and attract talented musicians and songwriters. While at BMG, Raymer 
redefined and expanded the group's scope by overseeing the purchase of 
Reunion Records and Music and the acquisition of half of the Sparrow 
Music catalogues. As a direct result, BMG went on to unleash a new era 
in the groups chapter of music making with songs such as

[[Page E1631]]

Change the World, which was performed by Eric Clapton and won the 
Grammy Award for ``Song of the Year'' in 1996.
  In 2001, Raymer retired from BMG after spending over 20 years leading 
the group's development, but he never stopped fighting for artists, 
songwriters, and publishers. After retiring from BMG, Raymer became 
President and CEO of the Church Music Publishers Association's (CMPA) 
Action Fund, where he worked to protect the intellectual property 
rights of songwriters and publishers.
  Throughout his five decades of work in the music industry, Raymer has 
received numerous awards for his work, including The Arnold Broida 
Award for Copyright Advocacy, CMPA Founders Award, the NSAI President's 
Award, and countless other recognitions from ASCAP, BMI, Sparrow 
Records, BMG, and the CMPA.
  It is my honor to congratulate Raymer on his retirement and to thank 
him for being a tireless advocate for songwriters and publishers. I 
wish him and his wife, Linda, all the best as they enter this new 
season of life.

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