[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE JOHN BAPST MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL BAND

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the John Bapst 
Memorial High School Band which honored Maine and America with its 
outstanding performance during 1997's Presidential Inauguration.
  Personally selected by President Clinton to attend the festivities, 
the John Bapst band had audiences on their feet with rousing renditions 
of ``The Maine Stein Song,'' ``Camino Real,'' and ``Acclamations,'' to 
name a few. The band performed on the National Mall, along with bands 
such as the Count Basie Orchestra, and also at the prestigious Kennedy 
Center for the Performing Arts.
  This is not the first time that Maine has been made proud by the John 
Bapst band. In 1991, the band was on hand to welcome troops returning 
home after the Gulf war. For many, their stop in Bangor was the first 
time on American soil since their deployment. I am certain they will 
never forget the warm greetings they received in Bangor--which garnered 
national attention--and John Bapst band played a special part in 
honoring our servicemen and women. The tradition continued when John 
Bapst played for President Clinton last November. The President was so 
impressed with the group that he pledged to invite them to inaugural 
festivities should he be reelected.
  Mr. President, this band represents the very best characteristics of 
America's young people. Band members set a goal of excellence and 
worked hard to achieve it, and I believe their efforts should be 
highlighted. In an era of conflicting and often dubious influences for 
young men and women, and in a time when negative stories abound in the 
media, our children should have positive examples to follow. That is 
why we should shine a spotlight on groups like the John Bapst band, 
which represent the finest qualities and aspirations of America's 
youth. I applaud the band members and their director, Julie Ewing, for 
showing our youth what can be accomplished through commitment and hard 
work.
  In closing, I would once again like to thank the John Bapst Memorial 
High School Band for their tremendous contribution to the 1997 
inaugural festivities, and for making the State of Maine very 
proud.

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