[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 118 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL ROCKETTES CELEBRATE 70TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 20, 1995
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 70th birthday of 
the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Over its 70 year existence, the 
Rockettes have contributed greatly to the richness of culture in New 
York City, the country at large, and throughout the world.
  When formed in 1925, the Rockettes were first known as the Missouri 
Rockets, Russell Markert's Girls, or the Roxyettes. Since 1934, the 
now-famous dance troop changed its name to Radio City Music Hall 
Rockettes and has called New York its home ever since.
  Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, two world 
wars, and through the social, economic, and political upheavals of the 
past four decades, the Rockettes have endured. For many people, the 
Rockettes have come to symbolize a part of the American dream. 
Generations of young dancers from small towns to the largest cities 
have wanted to become a part of the Rockettes.
  Moreover, the Rockettes have evolved into an American icon recognized 
throughout the world. At the invitation of the French Government, they 
represented the United States in the 1937 Paris Exposition Grand Prix 
and won. Since then, the Rockettes have entertained millions of people 
performing not only at Radio City, but also entertaining our military 
troops, visiting international dignitaries, and heads of state and U.S. 
Presidents. In addition, they have also performed for several benefit 
groups, including the Heart Association, International Human Rights, 
and the Peter Allen AIDS Foundation.
  The Rockette Alumnae Association is a not-for-profit organization 
whose membership of over 400 former Rockettes represents the seven 
continuous decades of working American women who have shared in the 
history of this uniquely American institution. A special anniversary 
celebration sponsored by the alumnae is scheduled for August 5, 1995, 
at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Funds raised in this event will be 
donated to the Julliard School of Music, where the school's first dance 
scholarship was established and endowed by the Rockette Alumnae in the 
name of its founder, Russell E. Markert.
   Mr. Speaker, the Rockettes' contribution to the cultural history of 
America is as broad as the many women who have been with the dance 
troop, and the millions of people who have attended its shows. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in saluting the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes 
on their 70th birthday, and wish them success as they continue 
enriching our lives into the 21st century.


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