[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ROBERT J. LURTSEMA

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to a lover of music and an institution on 
Boston radio who recently passed away at age 68. In his long and 
brilliant career, Robert J. Lurtsema touched vast numbers of people in 
the Boston area with his ``deep organ voice'' and his love of classical 
music. For twenty-nine years, he was host and producer of ``Morning Pro 
Musica'' for radio station WGBH in our city, and he was widely loved 
and admired.
  A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Robert J., as he was known to 
many, graduated from Boston University School of Journalism. He joined 
WGBH in 1971 as a weekend host, and after four months became the host 
and producer of ``Morning Pro Musica.'' In addition to the renown he 
won through his dedicated listeners, he has composed chamber music, the 
music for an award-winning documentary film, and the music used in 
Julia Child's cooking program on PBS.
  Robert J.'s passion and devotion to classical music extended well 
beyond his broadcast responsibilities. He served with distinction as a 
board member for many New England musical organizations. He will be 
deeply missed for his dedication to the arts, and long remembered for 
his extraordinary service to the people of New England.

                          ____________________