April 16, 2024

After Nationwide Push Led by Congressman Castro, Library of Congress Adds Latino Music Giants to National Recording Registry

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to celebrate this morning’s announcement that the Library of Congress has selected two songs by artists he nominated – Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” (1990) and Héctor Lavoe’s “El Cantante” (1978) – for inclusion in the National Recording Registry.

“Today’s announcement represents the Library of Congress’ growing recognition that music by Latino musicians has shaped the soundtrack of American life,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro. “Last fall, my office received a record-setting number of public suggestions for Latino songs that spanned styles and eras, and I was proud to nominate titles that represent the diversity of Latino music and sound. For those in my home state of Texas, for example, the choice to honor Juan Gabriel’s ‘Amor Eterno,’ which played at funerals and memorials after the 2019 El Paso shooting, has special meaning. The induction of one’s work into the National Recording Registry represents among the most prestigious honors a musical artist can receive, and today’s inductions are the first songs on the Registry for both Juan Gabriel and Héctor Lavoe. Both musicians were giants of their genres, and I am glad to see their songs preserved for generations to come.”

Since it was established by Congress in 2000, the National Recording Registry has worked to preserve recordings with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. For the last eighteen years, the Library of Congress has selected 25 recordings for inclusion each year, with works by Latino musicians currently representing less than five percent of inducted titles.

Over the last two years, as part of his long-running efforts to improve the recognition of Latino contributions to American history and culture, Congressman Castro has solicited public suggestions for congressional nominations to the National Recording Registry. In his first year of nominations, Congressman Castro received hundreds of public suggestions and submitted 33 titles to the Library of Congress for consideration. The following year, the National Recording Registry inducted two of his nominations – Irene Cara’s “Flashdance…What a Feeling” (1983) and Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” (2004), the latter of which made history as the first reggaeton song to be preserved in the registry.

In 2023, Congressman Castro received more than 700 suggestions from members of the public and nominated titles by 35 performers – including Juan Gabriel and Héctor Lavoe – for inclusion in this year’s list of inductees. Later this year, Congressman Castro will launch a new call for suggestions to shape his nominations for additions to the National Recording Registry that are expected in 2025.