[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO BARBARA LANE, MILWAUKEE'S POLKA QUEEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Milwaukee's 
Polka Queen, Barbara Lane, on her 35th anniversary as a polka artist, 
musician and band leader. Ms. Lane will be honored by her many fans and 
admirers from throughout the United States with a series of 
performances and other polka-related events Saturday October 10 and 
Sunday October 11 held at Milwaukee's south side unofficial polka 
headquarters, the Blue Canary.
  Barbara Lane was crowned Milwaukee's Polka Queen in 1972. She has 
kept that title every since. Barbara's greatest claim to fame has been 
her ability to break the gender barrier of the male-dominated polka 
fraternity. She became the first female polka band leader to perform to 
a nationwide audience. Her band, known as Barbara and the Karousels, 
regularly performs throughout the United States from Maryland to 
Arizona to Las Vegas and has also entertained fans in Europe. No other 
female-led polka band has performed to such a worldwide audience.
  Undoubtedly, a highlight of Barbara Lane's career was her 1997 
performance at the Presidential Inaugural parade, Washington, D.C. Her 
band was the first ever polka band to participate in an inaugural. Over 
33 million people watched the performance on worldwide television. 
While preparing for the Inaugural, Barbara wrote a tribute tune ``The 
White House Polka,'' which brought her additional nationwide 
recognition and accolades.
  Barbara's other accomplishments include induction into the Cleveland 
Hall of Fame in 1992 and the much sought-after European-American 
Heritage Music Award in 1993. She is currently a nominee for the 
Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award for 1998 and 
the 1998 Band of the Year Award.
  Best wishes, Barbara, as you are honored the weekend of October 10th. 
keep up the excellent work of entertaining the young and young at heart 
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the nation and the world