Press Releases

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) sent the following to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense, urging them to preclude language curtailing military music ensembles from the final Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill. (Please find a copy of the letter below and attached.)

Joining Hastings in signing the letter were Representatives (10): Walter B. Jones (R-NC), Tim Walz (D-MN), Louise M. Slaughter (D-FL), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Corrine Brown (D-FL), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).

Additionally, the letter was endorsed by the following organizations: National Association for Music Education, Americans for the Arts, National Association of Music Parents, Music for All, the Recording Academy, National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), Winter Guard International, the League of American Orchestras, Quadrant Arts Education Research, Organization of American Kodaly Educators, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, VH1 Save The Music Foundation, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Drum Corps International, Music Teachers National Association, The Gordon Institute for Music Learning, SongwritingWith:Soldiers, the National Music Council, Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc., and Strathmore.  

September 07, 2016

Dear Chairman Cochran, Ranking Member Durbin, Chairman Frelinghuysen, and Ranking Member Visclosky:

The Military Bands of the United States Armed Forces are an integral part of our country’s musical and military excellence. Linking servicemen and servicewomen to those whom they protect, these musicians are emissaries to communities across the nation and throughout the world.  We urge you to preclude any language from the final Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill that diminishes their ability to continue serving our nation.

As described by the mission statement of the U.S. Army Band, military musicians “instill in our soldiers the will to fight and win, foster the support of our citizens, and promote our national interests at home and abroad." We believe the outreach provided by the members of these ensembles, through thousands of performances per year and music education programs in schools across the country, is more important than ever.

In addition to boosting the morale of our servicemembers and promoting national interests, military music ensembles also serve certain critical tactical roles in the field.  For example, according to Army doctrine, “a band is routinely placed [under the command of the] provost marshal. The provost marshal may assign personnel to provide security to the division command posts, augment the military police response forces as a dismounted infantry platoon, or operate a holding area for enemy prisoners of war.”

More than one hundred military music ensembles perform across the United States every year, sharing their music for free with the American public in nursing homes, parades, festivals, and other gatherings. During the summer, these concerts also occur on a weekly basis at the base of the West Steps of the United States Capitol, a continuation of a 130 year-old tradition with bands performing American classics for visitors and tourists from around the world. In total, these performances reach more than 1 billion people annually.

Some of the most iconic American musicians, including Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and John Coltrane, have served in military bands, cementing the legacies of their respective ensembles as American traditions. Today, military musicians are among the most talented, accomplished, and respected in the United States. In choosing to perform in uniform, they exemplify service as emissaries of the Armed Forces. We should be doing everything we can to promote and support the ensembles they are part of.

Prioritizing the needs of the Department of Defense (DOD) should not come at the expense of our valued military ensembles. We trust the judgement of the Commanding Officers of these important units and urge you to preclude any language from the final FY 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill that diminishes their ability to continue serving our nation.

“America means freedom and there's no expression of freedom quite so sincere as music.”
       – Maj. Glenn Miller, Army Air Forces Band ’42-’44.

      Sincerely,

Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress

Walter B. Jones
Member of Congress

Tim Walz
Member of Congress  

Louise M. Slaughter
Member of Congress

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Member of Congress  

Donald Payne Jr.
Member of Congress
 
Corrine Brown
Member of Congress  

Tony Cárdenas
Member of Congress

Ted Lieu
Member of Congress

Gregory W. Meeks
Member of Congress
  
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Member of Congress  

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.

###