Austin Scott: “it is indeed a pleasure to stand to recognize the great original music genre, the blues, born in the Delta and having…”

“it is indeed a pleasure to stand to recognize the great original music genre, the blues, born in the Delta and having made its way up through Chicago, throughout this Nation and around the world, brought the legacies of such great giants as B.B. King and Muddy Waters, and paved the way for folks like Elvis Presley. As a matter of fact, Elvis Presley once said, ``I wouldn't be Elvis Presley if it weren't for the blues and if it weren't for gospel music.'' The great contributions have been unparalleled in terms of American music. Rock and roll, even our jazz components, are based upon our music. Grown from the pains of the South, of black slaves working on plantations in the hot sun, only a song in their mouths was what kept them going. Blues emanated from the struggles and from the hard lives of African Americans in this country. So, indeed, when we celebrate the blues, we celebrate the overcoming of the African American people, in spite of. Once when B.B. King was asked what makes the blues, B.B. King said, ``You make the blues by singing to make you happy when often times you are sad. When you have trouble in mind and you are blue, you can say I won't be blue always, because the sun is going to shine at my back door some day.'' The blues, a great contribution to America. I am proud to join with my colleagues in recognizing this great musical genre.”