Expressing Support for Designation of October 2007 as "Country Music Month"

Floor Speech

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF OCTOBER 2007 AS ``COUNTRY MUSIC MONTH'' -- (House of Representatives - October 29, 2007)

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 58) expressing support for designation of the month of October 2007 as ``Country Music Month'' and to honor country music for its long history of supporting America's armed forces and its tremendous impact on national patriotism.

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Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the designation of October 2007 as ``Country Music Month'' and to celebrate the long heritage of patriotism in country music.

The Country Music Association celebrated its first National Country Music Month in 1964, and October 2007 marks its 43rd annual observance. I would like to thank my fellow Texan, Congressman TED POE, for bringing this bill forward today.

The themes invoked in country music resonate with important American values such as responsibility, determination and hard work. Country songs foster an appreciation of the many important sacrifices made by our men and women serving in the Armed Forces. Songs like ``Only in America'' by Brooks and Dunn and ``Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly'' by Aaron Tippen encourage patriotism and the pursuit of the American Dream.

In addition to powerful patriotic lyrics, the country music industry has also directly supported the cause of our Armed Forces. Portions of the proceeds from some patriotic compilations have gone to support the USO's active duty troops and families of fallen soldiers.

Mr. Speaker, I express my support for Country Music Month and congratulate the genre on its many contributions to American society. I urge my colleagues to pass the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, country songs foster an appreciation of the many important sacrifices made by soldiers serving in the Armed Forces.

I want to share with our Members of the House that tomorrow, Tuesday, I will be accompanying Sergeant Daniel Pena from my congressional district, a young man 28 years old serving his third tour in Iraq. While on patrol, their Humvee stepped on a land mine that exploded. One of his colleagues riding in that Humvee was killed, and he lost his right arm and his right leg.

He came back to the United States where he has stayed in Walter Reed the last 2 months and received an artificial arm and leg and has now been released by Walter Reed Hospital. I'm going to accompany him and his father and mother to Weslaco, Texas, where he is going to receive a hero's welcome.

I'm pleased to tell you that I requested that country songs like ``Only in America'' by Brooks and Dunn and ``Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly'' by Aaron Tippin be played as part of the patriotic music that we're going to have at that celebration of a hero's welcome.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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