[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN APPRECIATION OF ALYCE AND JACK BERGGREN

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity today to 
honor two very special people from my hometown of Aberdeen, SD. Alyce 
and Jack Berggren have contributed tirelessly to the arts of South 
Dakota, and I am blessed to call Alyce and Jack my long-time friends.
  Alyce Bedrosian grew up in Chicago in an Armenian family. After 
earning a masters degree in piano from Northwestern University, she was 
hired by Northern State Teachers College in 1947. Though she carried a 
return train ticket from her concerned father, Alyce decided to remain 
in South Dakota. She never used the ticket.
  Jack Berggren's boyhood was spent a world away in Scottsbluff, a 
small town in western Nebraska. He studied voice at Hastings College in 
Hastings, NE, and came to Northern State University in Aberdeen in 
1949. There, he met Alyce, and they began performing together. In 
Jack's own words, he married his ``accompanist'' in 1950.
  For almost half a century, the Berggrens have touched the lives of 
countless NSU students and music lovers of the northern plains. ``Dr. 
B.,'' as his students affectionately call him, taught voice, directed 
choirs and served as the NSU Dean of Fine Arts. His annual Messiah 
performances rekindle fond memories among many Aberdonians. Alyce 
continues to define excellence in piano performance and teaching, 
regularly accompanying students to this day.
  Over two decades ago, friends, faculty, alumni and students surprised 
the Berggrens with a musical thank you. In 1978, to honor both Jack and 
Alyce, their community sponsored ``The Gala Concert for the benefit of 
the Northern State College Music Department.'' In addition to NSU music 
students and faculty, the concert included the Aberdeen Barbershop 
Chorus and the Elks Chorus.
  Gala II was held in 1989, and this year, May 5, marks the third Gala 
concert. I am pleased to know that the Johnson Fine Arts Center will 
once again display the talents of those touched by the Berggrens. I 
only regret that I cannot be there in person to enjoy the event and the 
company of Jack and Alyce. Instead, I hope this statement will serve as 
my small contribution and a symbol of immense gratitude to Jack and 
Alyce for their contributions to the musical arts in South Dakota.

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