[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  CENTRAL NEW JERSEY CONGRATULATES BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ON HIS INDUCTION 
                  INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to direct the attention of my 
colleagues to the induction of central New Jersey's Bruce Springsteen 
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last Monday.
  From central New Jersey to central Europe, you need only mention the 
name ``Bruce,'' to gain immediate recognition of this man's work. From 
classics like ``Promised Land,'' ``Backstreets,'' ``Tenth Avenue 
Freeze-Out,'' and ``Thunder Road,'' Bruce Springsteen's songs hold 
special memories for all of us. He is a storyteller whose songs are 
about loyalty, friendship, and remembering the past. Most of all, his 
songs are about--and are part of--the real lives of Americans.
  In 1973, Bruce released his famous ``Greetings From Asbury Park, 
N.J.'' album. It was followed by ``The Wild, the Innocent and the E 
Street Shuffle.'' In 1975 Bruce followed up with ``Born to Run'' which 
is widely acclaimed as one of the finest rock and roll albums ever 
made.
  In the late 1970's and early 1980's Bruce and his band continued with 
a string of modern rock classics--``Darkness on the Edge of Town,'' 
``The River,'' and the multi-platinum album ``Born in the USA.'' In the 
past few years, Springsteen recorded his most successful solo song 
ever, ``Streets of Philadelphia,'' earning himself more Grammy Awards 
and an Academy Award.
  Springsteen's most recent record, ``The Ghost of Tom Joad'' won a 
Grammy Award for best contemporary folk album, and builds on the work 
that Bruce began in the 1980's with his critically-acclaimed album 
``Nebraska,'' in calling attention to, and building on, America's rich 
folk music heritage.
  Despite his incredible success and worldwide fame, Bruce Springsteen 
has always stayed true to his central New Jersey roots and to the 
interest of music fans everywhere. Indeed, in an era of high ticket 
prices and prima donna stars, Bruce Springsteen has always dedicated 
himself to providing his fans with affordable, consistent 
entertainment. He has been dedicated to seeing that his music makes its 
way into the lives of people. That dedication has rightfully earned him 
the nickname, ``The Boss.''
  Mr. Speaker, Bruce Springsteen has given a lot to New Jersey, to the 
lives of music lovers everywhere and to our nation's rich popular 
culture. We in central New Jersey are rightfully proud to call him a 
native son and take tremendous pride in his induction into the Rock and 
Roll Hall of Fame. I am proud to say that Bruce Springsteen is a 
constituent of mine.
  I hope that my colleagues in the House will join me and other central 
New Jerseyans in extending our congratulations to Bruce Springsteen for 
this well-deserved honor.

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