[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ``POLKA-BRATION'' TIME FOR ELEANORE MAGIERA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 3, 2001

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eleanore Magiera of 
Caro, MI, for her induction into the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of 
Fame. The citizens of our State are proud of their multi-cultural 
ancestry and delight in celebrating that diversity with others. The 
Polish community is one of the proudest in Michigan, bringing with it a 
passion for good food, good spirits, fellowship, dancing and 
traditional foot-stomping, lively polka music.
  First introduced to the polka at an early age, Eleanore became part 
of a rich musical heritage with origins in European classical music and 
folk music that later combined to form a uniquely American style during 
the Depression Era in the United States. Contemporary polka music is a 
melting pot of musical influences from the vast array of immigrants 
that came to the United States and is representative of the diverse 
cultural backgrounds of our Nation.
  In 1970, Eleanore and her husband, Frank, helped form the Michigan 
Polka Boosters Club to promote polka music and dancing. Eleanore was 
elected secretary-treasurer of the club, and over the years has put out 
the Michigan Polka News publication. She also organized the State of 
Michigan Polka Hall of Fame and is currently a member of the Great 
Lakes Polka Association.
  Of course, everyone remembers Eleanore as a disc jockey for ``Polka 
Party'' on Sunday afternoons at the Rainbow Bar in Caro. Her 
enthusiastic, energetic and persistent promotion of the polka has 
brought smiles and good cheer to thousands of people everywhere. She 
continues to be active in many efforts to trumpet the qualities of 
polka music and to ensure its continued popularity among the young and 
old alike.
  Induction into the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame is a great 
honor bestowed upon those who have upheld the joyful spirit that is at 
the heart of polka music. Eleanore's hard work and outstanding service 
on behalf of polka enthusiasts has earned her this nomination, but her 
passion for the polka has done more than win her accolades. It has 
spread the love of music and dance to many who otherwise might have 
missed the opportunity to discover the polka.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Eleanore Magiera on achieving the Michigan Polka Music industry's 
highest honor and in expressing gratitude for her spirited promotion of 
the polka. I am confident she will continue to roll out a barrel of fun 
for polka lovers near and far.

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