[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     SMITHVILLE FIDDLERS' JAMBOREE

 Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge and 
honor an event that has long been a source of great civic pride for 
many of us in Tennessee: the Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts 
Festival.
  A spectacular 2-day event held annually over the Fourth of July 
holiday, the Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree is dedicated to the 
furtherance and preservation of old-time Appalachian country music, 
dance, and authentic Appalachian art and culture. The jamboree and I go 
a long way back, and yet I never cease to be amazed by the hospitality, 
the fellowship, the crafts, and, of course, the outstanding music.
  This past Fourth of July weekend marked the 26th anniversary of the 
jamboree. It all began back on July 1, 1972, when musicians from 16 
states delighted an audience of 8,000 people. While that in itself was 
quite an accomplishment, the event's founders were not content to stop 
there. By comparison, this year's event drew a record crowd of 125,000 
and featured more than 600 contestants from 42 States and 4 foreign 
countries. More than 300 artisans and craftsmen were on hand to sell 
and display authentic pioneer and contemporary Appalachian crafts.
  These days, the Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree is broadcast on 
television worldwide and has been featured in National Geographic 
Traveler, Southern Living, and several other national publications. The 
Jamboree has been named one of the top 100 tourist events in North 
America, according to a list compiled by the American Bus Association. 
The event was selected as a ``Top 20 Tourist Favorite'' by the 
Southeast Tourism Society, which includes the States of Tennessee, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, Alabama, and Virginia. Earlier this year, the Tennessee 
General Assembly passed a resolution designating the Smithville 
Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival as the official jamboree and 
crafts festival of the State of Tennessee.
  Without a doubt, knowledge of the Smithville Jamboree's accomplished 
musicians, inspiring music, skilled artisans, and authentic crafts has 
now reached the four corners of the globe, and I applaud the 
organizers, committees, volunteers, and the people of Smithville and 
DeKalb County, TN, for their unique and substantial contribution to the 
rich tradition of Appalachian art and culture.

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