WHEREAS,  The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, known now as the Barbershop Harmony Society, was officially organized April 11, 1938 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS,  what began as a small group has steadily blossomed into the world's largest all-male singing organization, an international organization of men from all stations of life; and

WHEREAS,  the Barbershop Harmony Society is dedicated to the spread of harmony for the enjoyment of all people of the world through organizing and encouraging close-harmony singing groups; and

WHEREAS,  the Barbershop Harmony Society encourages harmony among all people of the world through the universal language of music; and

WHEREAS,  the Barbershop Harmony Society has actively preserved and presented a distinct style of vocal music that originated in North America; and

WHEREAS,  the Barbershop Harmony Society is dedicated to sustaining and preserving an American tradition, the barbershop quartet; and

WHEREAS,  the Barbershop Harmony Society promotes musical education through music scholarships and other means and supports charitable foundations; and

WHEREAS,  "barbershoppers" are engaged in laudable civic service and enrichment of our cultural life through the fostering of traditional values in entertainment and community endeavors; now, therefore, be it