[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 OUTSTANDING SCHOOL BAND LEADER RETIRES

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a true gentleman 
and educator from the 20th District in my hometown of Collinsville, IL. 
This man is Neal Strebel, who, after 37 years of teaching music and 
directing school bands, has retired from his profession.
  Mr. Strebel dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to directing the 
``Marching Kahoks'' band, leading the Illinois High School Association 
concert bands, and instructing some of the best student musicians in 
the State of Illinois.
  He has instructed over 100 all-State band members, and his students 
are consistently rated among the best in the State. During his 37 
years, Mr. Strebel directed 500 pep band and more than 200 concert band 
performances, splitting time between the elementary, junior high, and 
high school bands for many years.
  As band director, he also raised nearly $500,000 for band trips and 
music equipment. In his first 25 years, Mr. Strebel devoted himself and 
his time without winning a single trophy or award. As he said in the 
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ``That wasn't the motivation. I think you can 
learn more about music with the emphasis on fundamentals and concert 
band.''
  Mr. Speaker, every one of us can learn a few lessons from Mr. 
Strebel's attitudes and ideas about music, and I commend him for his 
service.

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