[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E390-E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING 20TH CENTURY WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of 
extraordinary women of the 20th Century. Throughout our history women 
artists such as Missouri author, Laura Ingalls Wilder, have brought 
about needed social change in our state and nation. Today, I honor a 
recording artist From Kennett, Missouri who has maintained strong ties 
to our state. Sheryl Crow joins a list of Missouri women who have 
contributed to an extraordinary century of women.
  Ms. Crow's parents were big band musicians who encouraged her musical 
skills at an early age. She began playing the piano around the age of 
six and composed her first song at age 13. In the 1990's, Sheryl Crow 
forcefully expressed her thoughts and emotions on social causes such as 
youth violence, addressed in her platinum album lyrics', ``Watch out 
sister, Watch out brother/Watch our children as they kill each other/
With a gun they brought at the Wal-Mart discount stores'' in her 
ongoing battle with the discount giant over guns and children. In 
retribution, Wal-Mart refused to sell her award winning records. A 
Florida State Supreme Court eventually ruled against Wal-Mart for 
illegally selling ammunition to minors who used the bullets to kill a 
Pensacola man.
  Ms. Crow's music encompasses her personal experience and her 
passionately held beliefs to electrify audiences. Inspired by the likes 
of Walt Whitman and Bob Dylan. Sheryl Crow has influenced a generation 
of women to artistry and activism. Her ability to span generations and 
musical tastes has led Ms. Crow to be one of the most sought after 
musicians of our time. Her reputation for taking risks is demonstrated 
by her professional and personal courage to make mistakes and to 
achieve success. Her song, ``My Favorite Mistake,'' reminds us that we 
must all have the courage to take risks in order to create something 
worthwhile.
  In 1994 Sheryl Crow won Gammy Awards for Best New Artist, Record of 
the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her hit ``All I 
Wanna Do.'' Two years later, the singer/songwriter won Grammys for Best 
Rock Album and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song, ``If It 
Makes You Happy.'' Her 1998 double platinum album, ``The Globe 
Sessions'' was named Best Rock Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards. Her 
latest effort,

[[Page E391]]

``Sweet Child O' Mine,'' received the 2000 Grammy for Best Female Rock 
Vocal Performance. Her peers in the music industry and her many 
dedicated fans have recognized Ms. Crow as a gifted musician and a 
woman empowered to inspire others.
  Sheryl Crow cares passionately about eliminating the use of land 
mines, as demonstrated by here recent efforts in Southeast Asia on 
behalf of the victims of such weapons of war. The artist has journeyed 
to Capitol Hill in support of debt relief for the world's most 
impoverished nations. Ms. Crow has been an outspoken advocate of 
women's rights and has highlighted her concerns about youth violence 
issues in songs such as ``Love is a Good Thing.'' I share her belief 
that one of the most effective ways of reducing youth violence in our 
culture is to support arts education in schools.
  Ms. Crow exemplifies the positive value of artistic expression. I 
salute Sheryl Crow for being an inspiration as an artist and advocate. 
Her efforts to make the world a better place will continue to 
contribute to a better future in the new millennium. ``For all you 
wanna do,'' Sheryl Crow, Missouri women thank you for your artistry, 
advocacy, your commitment to the Campaign for a Landmine Free World and 
a better life for our children.

                          ____________________