[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING BONNIE ELOISE RUSH MILAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2002

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Bonnie Eloise Rush 
Milam. It is fitting that today we honor this great lady, a proud 
American who gave so much to her country and it's military by founding 
the Melody Maids.
  Eloise Milam was born in a house on the bay shore of Anahuac, Texas. 
Her family wound it's way through Texas, to Oregon and then eventually 
settled in Beaumont. She began to take piano lessons at age five and 
loved playing and singing on local programs, eventually becoming a 
member of the chorus at Beaumont High School.
  After graduation, she continued through college and after as a member 
of numerous music and drama organizations. She sang in church and 
community concerts and with the Beaumont Light Opera Company.
  By 1942, Eloise Milam had a very large group of private voice 
students. She was frequently asked to arrange programs for community 
affairs. When asked to assist with a bond rally at the Jefferson 
Theater, she presented her students as a choral group. Because the 
newspaper insisted on having a name for the group, they quickly decided 
on the Melody Maids. A new career was born.
  The Melody Maids traveled countless times from coast to coast, 
singing for conventions and programs of all sorts, but primarily for 
military installations and especially veteran's hospitals. They made 
four tours of Europe, several more to England, three to the Far East, 
seven to the Far North, four to the Caribbean, five to Mexico, seven to 
Hawaii and four to Bermuda, Iceland, and the Azores.
  Many of the tours were financed by the girls themselves with money 
made from musicals, style shows, cake and pie sales and other benefits. 
Practically all the tours after 1956 were sponsored by the 
Entertainment Branch of the Dept. of Defense. They were the most 
frequently requested of all the performers who traveled with the 
Department of Defense's Professional Entertainment Branch. She led her 
group into numerous hospital wards all over the world where individual 
conversations with wounded, injured, or ill military personnel proved 
to be a bright spot for them and a personal privilege for group 
members.
  Her influence has been felt by hundreds of Texas high-school and 
college-age Melody Maids and by thousands of military personnel around 
the world. Her talent and spirit represented by this group in their 
performances before civic organizations and in hospitals and military 
installations have brought significant goodwill to Texas.
  Her leadership was characterized by a combination of kindness and 
emphasis on excellence. The standards she set for the group are many 
that we should set for ourselves today. Eloise stressed the value of 
service to our fellow human beings, the rewards of helping one another 
in group activities, and a respect for different cultures and 
religions.
  Every August, women from all over the country head toward Beaumont. 
They come to spend a weekend reminiscing about their Melody Maid 
experiences, exchange family news, and mostly to be with Eloise and 
recognize her tireless work and passionate dedication to service and 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to stand here tonight, representing 
such an amazing lady. Eloise Milam's commitment to her community and 
country is an inspiration to us all.

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