[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GARRISON KEILLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I take this 
time today to recognize America's most gifted, thoughtful, and talented 
entertainer, writer, and storyteller, Garrison Keillor. I recently had 
the opportunity to welcome Garrison to the Great Lakes State for a 
wonderful Christmas performance at the University of Michigan.
  Born in the eastern Minnesota town of Anoka in 1942, Garrison Keillor 
has been providing radio listeners with a serious, yet humorous, view 
of everyday life through his descriptive and creative stories since his 
undergraduate days at the University of Minnesota. After graduating 
Garrison went to work for The New Yorker, where he exhibited his 
writing skills and explored new interests. However, it wasn't until 
1974 that Mr. Keillor began a new radio program that has become a 
weekly tradition for his almost 2 million listeners worldwide.
  ``Prairie Home Companion,'' Garrison's variety show creation in 1974, 
has been a family favorite in my home for over 20 years. Heard on close 
to 350 public radio stations across the country, with listenership 
growing, PHC has created a welcome and enjoyable atmosphere reminiscent 
of radio of years past by providing unique entertainment and strong 
mental images that only radio can present. Mr. Keillor exhibits a 
superb knack for story spinning that is refreshing, and a nice change 
of pace from the pressures we all face in our everyday lives. Because I 
grew up in the small town of Edgertown, MN, I cherish the moments I am 
able to enjoy listening to Garrison's radio imagery and reliving some 
of the joys of my midwestern youth.
  Mr. Keillor's work is not limited to his superb activities over radio 
airwaves. Readers of The New York Times and The Atlantic are enriched 
and entertained by the thoughts of Garrison through his contributed 
articles. He is also the author of numerous books: ``We are Still 
Married,'' ``Happy to be Here,'' ``Lake Wobegon Days,'' ``WLT,'' 
``Leaving Home,'' ``The Book to Guys'' and the children's book ``Cat, 
You Better Come Home,'' He has also broken box-office records in 
performances with orchestras across the country and overseas.
  While his work is obviously appreciated by his fans, as evidenced by 
his loyal listenership, there is also a mutual respect and admiration 
from his peers. During the first 13 years of PHC, Garrison received the 
prestigious George Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Awards, along with a 
medal from the American Academy of Arts and Letters for his work. He 
has also received two ACE Awards, a Peabody, and a Grammy, along with 
several Grammy nominations. The Museum of Broadcast Communications has 
also paid tribute by inducting him into their Radio Hall of Fame.
  I especially appreciate Mr. Keillor's discussions of everyday 
religious activities of Americans. Although this subject is considered 
taboo by most media performers, Garrison treats religious beliefs as a 
normal part of human activity, which it truly is for most people. He 
discusses it intelligently, thoughtfully, and respectfully, but does so 
with his superb sense of humor. He points out the foibles of human 
behavior vis a vis people's religious beliefs, yet does so in a way 
that humorously causes us to reflect on our faith and actions and how 
they relate to the greater meaning of life.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Garrison 
Keillor for his gifted contributions to our society. His dedication, 
talent, and writing are a true delight for those who have had the 
opportunity to enjoy his work.

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