Senator Collins Honored with the GRAMMYs on the Hill Award by the Recording Academy

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins received the GRAMMYs on the Hill Award in honor of her being an outstanding champion of music programs. Kara DioGuardi, a York County resident, musician, and former “American Idol” judge, presented Senator Collins with the award. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins has long worked to secure essential funding for the arts.

“My mother started me with piano lessons at age four, and from that young age, I cultivated a life-long appreciation for music,” said Senator Collins. “I am honored to receive this recognition from the Academy for my work to support music, which brings communities together, improves learning, and enhances culture. We must continue to work together to ensure that all Americans, regardless of geography or economic status, have access to music, whether in the audience, on stage, or in the classroom.”

“If I needed evidence to prove the value of music in our society, I would have to look no farther than the city I am proud to call home today, Bangor, Maine,” Senator Collins continued. “Our symphony, founded in 1898, is one of the oldest continually operating orchestras in the country, a testament to unflagging public support. Since 2005, the American Folk Festival has turned our beautiful waterfront into a destination for performers and music lovers from around the world. From musical theater to jazz and concert bands, our schools produce student musicians of the highest caliber.”

The Recording Academy is the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. Each year, the Academy hosts the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards and Advocacy Day. The event brings hundreds of music creators to Capitol Hill for an awards ceremony honoring artists and legislators who have improved the environment for music.