NARAS

What I want to do.

"In 1998, The Recording Academy established an office in the nation's
capital, seeking to amplify the voice of music creators in national policy
matters. Today, The Academy's Advocacy & Government Relations office
represents artists, songwriters, studio professionals and other music makers
before Congress at a critical time for the music industry. As legislation
adapts to rapidly changing technologies, The Academy works to protect
creators' rights on a number of topics such as intellectual property rights,
music preservation, music education, freedom of expression, radio reform and
other issues.

Upon his appointment in 2002, Academy President Neil Portnow named advocacy
one of the organization's four "pillars," provided additional commitment and
staff, and in 2003 unveiled the "GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative" in
Washington to advance the rights of the music community through advocacy,
education and dialogue. Since the launch of the initiative, The Academy has
actively worked with leading members of the House of Representatives and
helped organize the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, a
collective of legislators who promote the music community's interests in
Congress.

One step toward achieving the goals of the GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative
was The Academy's creation of Recording Arts Day on Capitol Hill. This
annual day in D.C. is an opportunity for creative artists to meet with
national leaders, and to communicate their issues on a one-on-one basis.
More than 20 national music associations join The Academy as co-hosts of the
day's activities. That evening, The Academy produces its GRAMMYs on the Hill
Awards Dinner, at which legislators, educators and artists are recognized
for their contributions to the creative community. Honored have been such
esteemed leaders as Sens. Lamar Alexander, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dianne
Feinstein, Orrin Hatch and Patrick Leahy; Reps. Mary Bono, Howard Coble,
John Conyers, Bill Delahunt and Steny Hoyer; and artists Kelly Clarkson,
Natalie Cole, Missy Elliott, Gloria Estefan, Vince Gill and Martina McBride.

Other activities include:

Advocacy

Partnership with the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, which
provides The Academy and Caucus members with discussions, demonstrations and
other events allowing opportunities for creators and legislators to learn
from each other and jointly address the needs of the music community
Input into critical national legislation on copyright reform, free speech,
music education and other issues
Regional and state initiatives on behalf of the local music community
Education"

-from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences/Advocacy