[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 110 (Monday, July 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   HONORING CLAYTON ``PEG LEG'' BATES

                                 ______


                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 1995
  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your attention the 
many achievements of Clayton ``Peg Leg'' Bates, a friend and 
constituent of mine who lives in Napanoch, New York.
  Clayton ``Peg Leg'' Bates was born in Fountain Inn, SC, in 1911. 
After a childhood injury with a threshing machine, his father made him 
a peg leg, and he began to dance at the age of 14 in 1925.
  By 1928 he was in vaudeville and appeared in a group of dancers, 4 
Bad Boys of Harlem, with the legendary Bill ``Bojangles'' Robinson. In 
the late 1940's he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show 20 Times--more than 
any other performer.
  Retired and moved to Kerhonkson in 1951, Peg Leg Bates opened up his 
own country club and stayed active in its operation until the late 
1980's. He is now active in the Senior Citizen Club of Napanoch, as 
well as involved in talking to public school kids about drugs and the 
importance of staying in school. He also visits with disabled and 
senior citizens and is a model of citizen involvement that stands as an 
encouragement to everyone in our community.


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