We wanted to  inform you about this new jazz bill being introduced by Congressman Conyers; National Preservation, Education and Promulgation Act. Jazz Forward Coalition, the co-presentor of Jazz Connect with JazzTimes, has been consulting with the congressman’s staff to gather comments from jazz professionals. This bill will be introduced to Congress in late March, coinciding  with JAM.

As the bill is in draft proposal, further language is being solicited, to help understand the needs of the field. This might be a good opportunity for you to weigh- in, particularly in regard to promulgation.

Take a look at the summary below:

The National Preservation, Education and Promulgation Act would establish programs and provide funding to implement the consensus expressed in H. Con. Res. 57 that Jazz is a “national American treasure”
worthy of support.

The proposed Act would establish a National Jazz Preservation Program to be directed and administered by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

The proposed Act would establish a Jazz Education In Elementary and Secondary Schools program to be directed and administered by the Dept.
of Education.

The proposed Act contemplates the establishment of a Promulgation Program to support business and enterprise initiatives in the field of Jazz.

Cong. Conyers seeks comments on the Discussion Draft, especially pertaining to Promulgation, on or before COB February 28, 2014. Submit comments to [email protected].

Cong. Conyers plans to introduce the National Jazz Preservation, Education and Promulgation Act of 2014 during Jazz Appreciation Month (April, 2014).
Please circulate the attached document to your constituencies and personal networks via various kinds of digital platforms and in hard copy format.

We are very lucky to have a member of the house so vested in the long term health of jazz, so let’s give him our support.

Comments should be directed to Mr. Conyer’s staffer [email protected]and are due COB Feb 28, 2014.