[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   CONGRATULATIONS TO SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL HONORS CHOIR

  (Mr. GUTKNECHT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Southeastern Minnesota High School Honors Choir and their director, 
Richard Kvam, on the successful completion of their European concert 
tour.
  As the American representatives to an international competition of 
high school choirs, these 73 high schoolers from across the First 
Congressional District represented the best our country has to offer. 
They did not disappoint us, taking first place in the competition over 
choirs from as far away as South Africa, Denmark and Japan.
  More important than their award, however, was the way that the 
students conducted themselves in concerts and impromptu performances 
throughout Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. Whether singing in 
historic churches or modern airport terminals, they were always 
respectful of their European hosts. Best of all, they made beautiful 
music.
  We in Minnesota have been blessed with an unusually strong choral 
music heritage. Our Honors Choir follows in the tradition of such 
internationally-acclaimed groups as the St. Olaf College Choir and the 
Dale Warland Singers.
  As someone who has heard the Honors Choir perform on more than one 
occasion, I can attest to the fact that they deserve to be called the 
best in the world.
  Congratulations, once again.

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