[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 111 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         March 4, 2003.
Whereas on February 27, 2003, neighborhoods across the Nation were saddened by 
        the death of Fred McFeely Rogers, creator and star of ``Mister Rogers' 
        Neighborhood'';
Whereas Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1928, and moved to 
        Pittsburgh in 1953, where he pursued his education at the University of 
        Pittsburgh while attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary;
Whereas in 1963, Mr. Rogers was ordained as a Presbyterian minister;
Whereas his landmark show ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' inspired, taught, and 
        encouraged children, families, and adults since its first nationwide 
        broadcast on February 19, 1968, with messages of love, peace, and 
        comfort;
Whereas Mr. Rogers created over 200 of his own songs for his show, which always 
        began in a comfortable family living room as he changed into his 
        trademark cardigan sweater and sneakers, to encourage the healthy 
        emotional growth of children and their families through imagination and 
        friendship;
Whereas Mr. Rogers encouraged millions of children across the world to love 
        themselves and their neighbors and to deal with complex emotional issues 
        in a safe, reassuring way;
Whereas on July 9, 2002, in recognition of the contributions of Mr. Rogers, 
        President George W. Bush presented him with the Presidential Medal of 
        Freedom at a White House ceremony and said, ``Fred Rogers has proven 
        that television can soothe the soul and nurture the spirit and teach the 
        very young'';
Whereas the final show of ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' aired in August 2001, 
        after having completed 33 television seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes;
Whereas Mr. Rogers received many awards and honors for his efforts, including 
        lifetime achievement awards from the Daytime Emmys and the Television 
        Critics Association, designation as one of the ``50 greatest TV stars of 
        all time'' by TV Guide, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998, 
        and induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999; and
Whereas Mr. Rogers always remained humble and true to his philosophy, saying ``I 
        have really never considered myself a TV star. . . . I always thought I 
        was a neighbor who just came in for a visit'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors Fred Rogers for his legendary service to the improvement 
        of the lives of children, his steadfast commitment to demonstrating the 
        power of compassion, and his dedication to spreading kindness through 
        example; and
            (2) expresses condolences and sympathies to his wife Joanne, his two 
        sons, and his two grandsons.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.