[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF VIRGIL TRESENWRITER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 1997

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Virgil 
Tresenwriter. Virgil was a native of Beckley, WV, my hometown. In 1995, 
at the annual dinner of the Beckley/Raleigh County Black Business 
Association, Virgil's solo performance with the New Gospel Singaleers 
captured my spirit, leaving me in a state of awe, almost too speechless 
to deliver my keynote address. It was a profoundly moving experience. 
And no wonder.
  Virgil was ordained by God from the very beginning of his life to 
sing praises to the Lord. It was a sweet sound and a joy divine--just 
as the gospel hymn says--to hear the deep baritone voice of Virgil 
``Pee-Wee'' Tresenwriter ring out the heavenly melodies. What a 
blessing it was to be stirred and moved in your spirit from the sounds 
that came from the very depths of his heart.
  If you were burdened down and sinking, to rise no more, you were 
lifted up when Pee-Wee sang ``His Eyes Are On The Sparrow and I know He 
Watches Me.'' Then Virgil would remind you that he loves to praise His 
name, because He is a rock, a sword, and a shield--He's just a jewel in 
the middle of a wheel. Virgil's life was a blessing in so many ways to 
those who knew him, an inspiration to children who imitated him as he 
performed with the New Gospel Singaleers, with colorful attire 
reminiscent of the more famous singing groups of older times.
  With his God-given talents, it was nothing for Virgil to challenge 
groups such as the Mighty Clouds of Joy, or the Canton Spirituals, when 
performing on the same program.
  It is with the same pride that I take this opportunity to honor a man 
who gave the very best of himself, using his God-given talents to 
inspire, encourage, and lift the hearts of those who knew him. Virgil 
will be missed immensely, now that he has joined the heavenly choir to 
sing with the angels of God.
  His songs, and the spirit in which he sang them, will sing out in our 
hearts forever.

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