[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            WILLIE EASON--1995 FLORIDA FOLK HERITAGE HONOREE

                                 ______


                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 1995

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, October 7, the 1995 
Florida Folk Heritage Award will be presented to my constituent Willie 
Eason of St. Petersburg, FL, at a program at the Norwood Baptist 
Church. This award is presented by the Florida secretary of state to 
outstanding folk artists and advocates whose contributions have added 
to Florida's culture and heritage.
  Born in Georgia in 1921, Willie Eason began playing his brother's 
steel guitar at an early age, and quickly distinguished himself as one 
who makes the guitar talk. Willie Eason used that talent to become not 
only one of the most influential steel guitarists in the House of God, 
a Holiness-Pentecostal Church, but also the one person who directly or 
indirectly influenced most of Florida's gospel steel guitarists.
  Willie Eason's career includes recording several records, and he has 
participated in a countless number of concerts, benefits, and revivals. 
Although his personal life includes tragedy, personal pain, and 
sacrifice; Willie Eason is filled with faith, with courage, and above 
all with love.
  While it is hard for Willie Eason to explain the impact his music has 
on those who sing with him or just claps their hands to the beat of his 
music, what is readily evident is that it comes from God. Even in 
retirement, Willie Eason serves as a model, his music an inspiration, 
and I salute him and the State of Florida for bestowing upon him the 
1995 Florida Folk Heritage Award.

                          ____________________