[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING JIMMIE RODGERS, THE FATHER OF COUNTRY MUSIC

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                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a favorite son of 
Mississippi who many call the ``Father of Country Music.'' I speak of 
the Singing Brakemen and America's Blues Yodeler of Meridian, 
Mississippi, Jimmie Rodgers, who 75 years ago this year recorded his 
first country song. That first song sold over a million records the 
first year. He was a platinum artist before these singers today could 
even imagine such an accomplishment.
  Sadly, Jimmie Rodgers contracted tuberculosis in 1920 and this young 
man would only live six years after recording this first song. But 
think of the profound influence he had on the world. He was the first 
artist inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame and he is also in the 
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He recorded over 110 songs and literally 
recorded the last ones on his deathbed.
  I want to address a side of this artist that few may know. In 1931 
Jimmie Rodgers teamed up with Will Rogers and the two toured England 
and the South of the United States raising money and addressing the 
plight of the poor during the Depression Era. I appreciate those that 
will speak up for the farmers, and I feel today that rural areas too 
often are ignored. These two men were involved with Charitable Choice 
before that name was coined
  This man was the Father of Country Music and, of him, it is said, 
``he started it all,'' and yet he took time to be concerned about those 
around him. It would have been easy to have used excuses such as his 
illness or his poverty or, once his hard work had produced great 
wealth, to simply ignore the problems of everyone else. But instead he 
gave of himself to help those around him. He was socially concerned 
with a ``do something'' attitude.
  Jimmie Rodgers' life reflects the nature of the people I serve. They 
are hard-working people who care about one another and give of 
themselves to help each other. They are attracted to faith--Jimmie 
married a preacher's daughter, Caroline Williamson. It is no accident 
that so many singers come from Mississippi. It is the way we overcome 
our problems as we sing through them; it is the manner in which we 
celebrate life.
  Jimmie died a young man of 36 on May 26, 1933, but on this Diamond 
Anniversary of Country Music we continue to celebrate his life and the 
many blessings he shared with us. I am proud to read this statement 
into the Congressional Record and will make sure a copy of this Record 
is placed in the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian, close to his 
gravesite.

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