[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E957-E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JIMMY STURR AND HIS ORCHESTRA NINE TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity today 
to honor Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, a musical group whose name in 
synonymous with polka music in America.
  As a Member of Congress with a large Polish American constituency in 
Western and Central Massachusetts, I have learned first-hand from the 
people who I represent of this group's popularity and intergenerational 
appeal, and I am pleased to share their accomplishments with the House 
of Representatives today.
  The rise in popularity of polka music in America is due in large part 
to the contributions of Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. Sturr's style of 
polka music embraces musicianship. This Americanized genre of polka 
music, which features the trumpet, saxophones and clarinets, is their 
trademark and is enjoyed by generations around the globe.
  Having just recorded their 99th album, the excellence of their 
recordings has earned the group 9 Grammy Awards and 13 consecutive

[[Page E958]]

Grammy Nominations. The Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) has awarded Jimmy 
Sturr its most valued award, the ``Commendation of Excellence''--the 
only one ever awarded in the polka field. Voted the ``Number One Polka 
Band in the Country'' for the past ten years, their recordings have 
earned both ``Album of the Year'' status in the polka music industry.
  With his many successes, Jimmy Sturr still lives in the house where 
he grew up, and his office is located across the street from the high 
school he attended in the upstate village of Florida, New York which 
has a population of 1,800.
  America is a melting pot that celebrates the richness of the cultures 
within its borders. Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra bring this richness 
into our modern lives. As we dawn on the 21st Century, I take this 
unique opportunity to honor Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra for their 
accomplishments. I look forward to learning of their many more 
accomplishments in the future.

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