[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1484-H1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LEGACY OF FRED ROGERS AND HIS DEDICATION TO CREATING A
MORE COMPASSIONATE WORLD
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 111) honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his
dedication to creating a more compassionate, kind, and loving world for
children and adults.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 111
Whereas on February 27, 2003, neighborhoods across the
Nation were saddened by the death of Fred McFeely Rogers,
creator and star of ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'';
Whereas Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in
1928, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1953, where he pursued his
education at the University of Pittsburgh while attending
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary;
Whereas in 1963, Mr. Rogers was ordained as a Presbyterian
minister;
Whereas his landmark show ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood''
inspired, taught, and encouraged children, families, and
adults since its first nationwide broadcast on February 19,
1968, with messages of love, peace, and comfort;
Whereas Mr. Rogers created over 200 of his own songs for
his show, which always began in a comfortable family living
room as he changed into his trademark cardigan sweater and
sneakers, to encourage the healthy emotional growth of
children and their families through imagination and
friendship;
Whereas Mr. Rogers encouraged millions of children across
the world to love themselves and their neighbors and to deal
with complex emotional issues in a safe, reassuring way;
Whereas on July 9, 2002, in recognition of the
contributions of Mr. Rogers, President George W. Bush
presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a
White House ceremony and said, ``Fred Rogers has proven that
television can soothe the soul and nurture the spirit and
teach the very young'';
Whereas the final show of ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood''
aired in August 2001, after having completed 33 television
seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes;
Whereas Mr. Rogers received many awards and honors for his
efforts, including lifetime achievement awards from the
Daytime Emmys and the Television Critics Association,
designation as one of the ``50 greatest TV stars of all
time'' by TV Guide, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in
1998, and induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999;
and
Whereas Mr. Rogers always remained humble and true to his
philosophy, saying ``I have really never considered myself a
TV star. . . . I always thought I was a neighbor who just
came in for a visit'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors Fred Rogers for his legendary service to the
improvement of the lives of children, his steadfast
commitment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and his
dedication to spreading kindness through example; and
(2) expresses condolences and sympathies to his wife
Joanne, his two sons, and his two grandsons.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, we are here to both mourn the loss of a great American,
Mr. Fred Rogers, who died last week at the age of 74, and also to
celebrate what he has done, what he has meant to so many Americans and
people around the world, and remember his legacy with joy and hope, and
look forward to the continued impact that he will have on the lives of
so many.
Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and he studied child
development at the University of Pittsburgh. He was ordained as a
Presbyterian minister. His television program, which debuted in 1964,
continues on today, even though the last tape was taped in 2001 and
aired last year or so. His program lives on, and I want to make a few
comments about the man we all know as Mr. Rogers.
{time} 1445
There is a magic that is Fred Rogers that really is not magical at
all. He is not the creation of boardrooms or animators or high-tech
special effects. He is who he is and nothing less. It is the
transparency of being himself, with no pretense or facade, that enabled
him to connect with millions around the world of all ages, of all walks
of life.
When people think of Mr. Rogers, oftentimes the first thing that
comes to mind is his television program of nearly 40 years for young
children, though people of today know him well. We are recognizing him
here in this Chamber not just for these generations of today, but so
that future generations who read the Record in the years to come will
be able to know about the moment, this moment in time and what we
valued.
I had the pleasure of working at least a little bit with Fred Rogers
in one area that was a shared passion of ours and that was quality
early childhood education. He recognized that quality education makes
an impact on the child's neurological development that lasts a
lifetime. I might say when I had the time to sit down and meet with
Fred, as anybody else would say the same thing, you sat in his office
that had a piano, that had some soft furniture and a puppet or two, and
you could not help within just a few moments of finding that you slowed
down with your life, that he began to talk directly to you, and you
felt things that perhaps you had forgotten in your own life of what was
really important. He studied child development while he was studying
for his degree as a Presbyterian minister and later worked regularly
with Dr. Margaret McFarland, also an expert in child development. Their
regular meetings was what created the programs that we now know.
Fred believed that childhood is not just a time you get through,
because so many things happen during that time. He had tremendous
respect for viewers, knowing that most were young children, all with
their own needs but also knowing that he touched the child in all of
us, seniors, adults, parents, those with disabilities, everyone.
When one watched his show, you watched him enter the room and you saw
him change into his sweater and change his shoes and talk; you
immediately entered the world, or rather through his simple magic with
his show, he entered the world of children. He was childlike without
being childish. He remained the adult, mature and wise, caring and
comforting, safe and nurturing. Though his program earned awards that
made him the envy of all in television, he was never an actor. He
[[Page H1485]]
was a communicator, saying above all else, You are special and so is
everyone else in this world. The puppets he created in his Neighborhood
of Make Believe would never have made it through today's TV boardrooms.
Indeed he was asked to spice up his show with more action. He responded
by working to build up public television.
The station WQED in Pittsburgh has been inundated with calls and e-
mails that pour in by the minute, not just expressing condolences but
people telling their stories, for example, a sports talk radio show in
South Carolina finding that their show was taken over by people with
their memories of Fred Rogers. Or a young woman who told me that when
she was a child living in the neighborhood that Fred Rogers is from,
one day she went up and knocked on his door hoping to see him.
He had a magic which was so important to all of us, and it is sad to
see that go. But it is important for the children of the world to know
that that program shall live on. The messages that Fred sent will
continue, about people being special, about parents' love for their
children, about being caring, and also the staff that I have come to
know with ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,'' such folks as Hedda Sharapan,
David Newell, Bill Isler and many, many more will continue on with his
legacy.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife, Joanne, and with all
whose lives he has touched. The joy will come in knowing that he will
continue to touch so many more.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such
time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle),
the sponsor of this resolution.
Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis) for his kindness and consideration.
Please don't think it's funny
When you want the ones you miss.
There are lots and lots of people
Who sometimes feel like this.
Mr. Speaker, I borrowed that opening verse from one of the original
songs written by Fred McFeely Rogers during his long and legendary
career. He wrote over 200 such songs to help explain complex,
confusing, and often frightening issues to children in a gentle,
noncondescending, and reassuring manner. That is what Mr. Rogers did
best, make generations of children in this Nation and beyond feel
special, important, and most of all, loved.
Mr. Rogers always started his shows by changing into his familiar
cardigan and comfy tennis shoes to give children a sense of comfort and
consistency. As I don this cardigan, I know there are lots and lots of
people in this Chamber and the world who will forever miss the
neighborly comfort, love, and wisdom Mr. Rogers gave while wearing a
sweater like this one on the show. It is in his honor that I have
introduced House Resolution 111, and I sincerely hope all my colleagues
join with me in celebrating the legacy of Fred Rogers.
Fred was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, about a half hour east of
Pittsburgh, and lived nearly his entire life in the city I am proud to
represent, Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh will always be Mr. Rogers'
neighborhood. It was in Pittsburgh in 1954 that Mr. Rogers began his
lifelong involvement with children's television, coproducing a 7-year
run of ``The Children's Corner,'' which at the time was broadcast on
the Nation's first community-sponsored educational television station,
WQED in Pittsburgh. In addition to his duties as producer, Mr. Rogers
also performed musical numbers for the show and manipulated the
puppets. Such famous puppets as Daniel Striped Tiger, King Friday XIII,
and Henrietta Pussycat from his show went on to live in what is perhaps
the most famous neighborhood in the world, ``Mr. Rogers'
Neighborhood.''
From his early and humble start in February of 1968, Mr. Rogers and
all of his neighbors have the distinction of being the longest-running
program ever on PBS, with nearly 900 episodes and 33 seasons to their
credit. Although not comfortable in the spotlight, Mr. Rogers
nevertheless has received much well-deserved recognition for his
efforts, including the distinction as being one of ``TV Guide's'' 50
greatest TV stars of all time, four Emmys, and induction to the
Television Hall of Fame. His messages of self-worth, respect, and
understanding have long served as a calm refuge and important contrast
in a world of children's television filled with frenetically paced and
often violent cartoons.
My friends, we have had more than our share of destruction, violence,
and fear in these uncertain times. World events play out very
differently in the eyes of a child, and in our rush to give voice to
our own personal opinions on the happenings of the day, sometimes we
overlook the importance of taking the time to explain issues to our
children in a calm and easy manner and thus help ease the trepidations
of a child growing up in today's world.
Fred Rogers realized the importance of taking the time to communicate
with children, a fact that was at the very heart of his goals and
beliefs. Although he was an ordained Presbyterian minister, he never
preached to his audience. But then again, he never had to. His message
of unconditional love, peace, self-respect, and respect for one's
neighbor is universal. He once said, ``When you are helping children
feel safe, you are helping them use their energies for moving forward,
toward a more hopeful future for themselves and for our society.''
Mr. Rogers helped children confront difficult real-world issues such
as divorce, disease, and adoption by listening to them and engaging
them on these topics, by talking to them in a manner that respected a
child's developing intellect. I truly hope that the important messages
that Mr. Rogers shared with us and our children continue on for the
next generation of future Congressmen and- women, and I am confident
that his legacy will continue, as I have heard that PBS is encouraging
all local PBS stations to continue running the rebroadcasts of ``Mr.
Rogers' Neighborhood.'' His legacy will also continue in the works of
the nonprofit organization founded by Mr. Rogers, Family
Communications, Incorporated of Pittsburgh.
In the words of Mr. Bill Isler, president of Family Communications,
Mr. Rogers was a composer, minister, author, puppeteer,
brother, husband, father, grandfather and a friend to every
child in the entire human family. Those of us who worked with
Fred Rogers share both the privilege and responsibility of
continuing his work so that no child anywhere grows up
without being told, ``You are special.''
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to leave you with something Mr.
Rogers once said in regards to helping children understand and cope
with terrible news events on television. He said:
When I was a boy and would see scary things on the news, my
mother would say to me, `Look for the helpers. You always
find people who are helping.' To this day, that is where I
focus my attention, to the many caring people in this world.
Our world lost one of the greatest and most caring helpers when Mr.
Rogers was called home, but his teachings and messages have instilled
in us the responsibility, duty, and ability to carry on his legacy by
being one of the helpers that our children look for and need.
Thank you, Mr. Rogers. We will always miss your special, caring way
of helping and comforting us all. You will always be, for the children.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson).
Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Rogers is someone that all Pennsylvanians were so proud of. Our
hearts are sad today because of his leaving us, but he left behind a
heritage that we are all so proud of and will always remember in such a
wonderful fashion.
I think in Pennsylvania, in western Pennsylvania, if you are
traveling around today, at the Eat'n Park restaurants on their lighted
signs, they say it all: ``Fred Rogers, we miss you.'' He studied
childhood development at the University of Pittsburgh. Then he went on
to be an ordained Presbyterian minister. His landmark show, ``Mr.
Rogers' Neighborhood,'' inspired, taught and encouraged children,
families and adults since its first nationwide broadcast on February
19, 1968, with messages of love, peace and comfort.
Mr. Rogers created over 200 of his own songs for his show, which
always began in a comfortable family living
[[Page H1486]]
room as he changed into his trademark cardigan sweater and sneakers, to
encourage the healthy emotional growth of children and their families
through imagination and friendship.
He encouraged millions of children across the world to love
themselves and their neighbors and to deal with complex emotional
issues in a safe and reassuring way. On July 9, 2002, in recognition of
the contributions of Mr. Rogers, President George W. Bush presented him
with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony and
said, ``Fred Rogers has proven that television can soothe the soul,
nurture the spirit and teach the very young.'' We all know that does
not happen on television every day on many programs, but it did on his.
The final show of ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'' aired in August 2001
after completing 33 television seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes. He
was always called on whenever we faced a crisis in this country that
would put fear in the hearts of children, September 11 the most recent.
But he had a calmness and a kindness and a love that changed the
atmosphere in any room he entered. Yes, as the Eat'n Park signs say
today: ``Fred Rogers, we miss you.''
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I join with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle)
and all Pennsylvanians and all people of good will throughout America
as we pay tribute honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his dedication
to creating a more compassionate, kind and loving world for children
and adults. I quote:
``It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
While singing this simple refrain, Fred McFeely Rogers would change
out of his sport coat and into his zip-up cardigan, slip off his dress
shoes and slip on a pair of blue sneakers and become Mr. Rogers of
``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.''
``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'' was a daily whisper in children's ears.
It whispered peace, serenity, honesty, comfort, and trust into small
and developing ears that listened attentively about issues big and
small. Mr. Rogers spoke to children about the virtues of civility,
sharing, tolerance, obedience, and self-worth.
{time} 1500
He talked with musicians, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, asking questions
from a child's perspective, like how he learned to play the cello, had
it been too big for him.
As the creator and host of the popular television show, Rogers became
one of America's most beloved figures. His evolution as a children's
television personality began in the 1950's, many years before public TV
station WQED in Pittsburgh produced the first ``Mister Rogers'
Neighborhood.'' Rogers had been a puppeteer and voice character on the
WQED show called ``The Children's Corner.''
Fred Rogers made his first on-camera appearance in the 1960's while
working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto. It was
there that he produced a 15-minute daily program called
``Misterogers.'' By the mid 1960's, the shows were lengthened to 30
minutes and were moved to Pittsburgh. A Washington Post article on
Rogers stated that ``Rogers often said he was guided by listening to
children, discovering who they were and what was important in their
lives. By providing answers to children's questions and addressing
their uncertainties in their expanding world, he sought to aid their
emotional development as individuals.''
As the Nation stands on the brink of war and the threat of terrorism
as a constant reminder of the cruel world in which we live, who is
listening to the children and addressing their uncertainties? Who on
national television will be that reassuring and calming presence for
the next generation of children?
On February 27, Fred Rogers, the gentle and soft-spoken host of
``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' died of stomach cancer at his home in
Pittsburgh at the age of 74. Rogers received four daytime Emmy awards,
a Peabody award, a lifetime achievement award of the National Academy
of Television and Sciences, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and more
than two dozen honorary degrees for doing what too few of us have
sought to do, make a commitment to enrich the lives of children. He was
truly a gentle giant, and I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 111,
``Honoring the Legacy of Fred Rogers.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart).
Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues in thanks for the
life of Fred Rogers, for the heart of Fred Rogers, and for the
wonderful efforts of Fred Rogers throughout his lifetime, especially
for the children of the world. I have the neighborhood trolly from his
program with me, and I think it symbolized a large part of who Fred
Rogers really was. He was a uniter in a world of dividers. He was a
believer in a world of skeptics. He was kind in a world of cynics. Fred
Rogers set the example that every parent probably wishes they could set
for their children, one that says, I like you for who you are, no
matter your differences, no matter your failings. As he used to say,
``It's you that I like.'' He invited everybody to the neighborhood, Mr.
McFreely, others, the king, the queen, all the funny little characters
that children grew to love over the years, and interestingly enough, I
am of the generation who enjoyed Fred Rogers as children and now our
children are enjoying Fred Rogers, and hopefully through television
generations to come will be able to enjoy and come to love Fred Rogers
as we all did.
His loss is a great loss. His mission was a great mission. Where so
many seek riches in this world, Fred Rogers sought to teach people to
love and he succeeded. He leaves a legacy of love, of goodness, of
kindness again in a world that lacks that all too often. I am fortunate
to have lived in Pittsburgh and to have met Fred Rogers several times.
Unfortunately, I did not get to know him terribly well. He was the kind
of man one did not have to know terribly well to understand, to take a
little bit of him with one as they went about their day.
I have three nieces and a nephew who now benefit from Fred Rogers and
from his message and his love. I hope that we will all carry that with
us through our trials and our difficulties throughout our lives and
remember when we meet somebody, to think ``there is something about you
that I like.''
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would like to add this final quote from Fred Rogers. He said, ``We
live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to
say 'it's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my
problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider
those people my heroes.''
Mr. Rogers has been a hero to us all.
I urge the adoption of this measure, House Resolution 111.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a mother and as a
grandmother to honor Fred McFeely Rogers, known to millions of children
and their parents simply as ``Mister Rogers.''
Since first broadcasting ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' on
Pittsburgh's public television station in 1966, Mister Rogers brought
his message that ``everybody's special'' to children and adults around
the world. Fred Rogers spoke to thousands of children every day, gently
teaching each of them about the importance of acceptance--acceptance of
others and acceptance of themselves. No matter what challenge children
face in their lives it is always ``a beautiful day in the
neighborhood'' that Mr. Rogers created for them.
Mister Rogers also acted as a role model for parents, suggesting
creative ways for parents to listen--and to listen--to their children.
Fred Rogers did not rely on fast-paced cuts and high-budget thrills to
keep a child's attention. He wrote the scripts, was the host, operated
the puppets, and even wrote the songs for each show. Mister Rogers'
formula for making kids care about what he had to say was to listen to
them.
Mister Rogers' co-workers at PBS honored his memory by carrying on
his work. They quickly updated his website to offer advice to parents
on how they can constructively talk to their children about his death.
We can all honor his memory in much the same way: by carrying on his
message, ``There's only one person in the world like to you,'' and then
respecting those differences that make each of us so unique.
My condolences go out to Fred Rogers' family and I thank him for his
work to improve the lives of children.
[[Page H1487]]
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the legacy of Fred
Rogers, the man loved by generations of children for his many years as
television's ``Mr. Rogers.'' Perhaps no other American has done as much
to foster the public's interest in child education and advocacy. He
touched the lives of millions of children during his show's 33 seasons
on the air, and I feel privileged to honor his life here today. I thank
the gentleman from Pennsylvania for bringing this resolution to the
floor.
For 33 years Mr. Rogers invited America into his living room and gave
us a tour of his neighborhood. Mr. Rogers infused his world with a
creative mixture of fact and fiction, introducing his young viewers to
both the real world and a world of make believe. Children saw the
insides of bakeries, police stations and glass-blowing factories.
Meanwhile, they also learned the values of sharing, compassion, and
community from the puppets who became characters in their daily
imaginary lives. Fred Rogers showed us that not only is education
important; it can also be fun.
On July 9, 2002, President Bush awarded Mr. Rogers the Presidential
Medal of Freedom. I call on this body to offer its recognition of the
life of a man whose personal mission to improve the lives of children
made a difference in all of our lives.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time
to express my condolences to the family, friends and millions of
children who have been influenced by the lovely man, Fred Rogers. He
passed away on February 27, 2003, but this in no way means that his
teachings and influence will end here.
Fred Rogers, known best as Mr. Rogers, with his safe neighborhood,
was instrumental in teaching children for decades. He encouraged
learning in innovative way through his TV show. Young children adored
this man, his empathic lessons of being nice to your neighbor, and
helped children enter school ready to learn and ask questions.
Fred Rogers taught our children how to make this world more
compassionate, kind and loving. We remember him as someone who brought
out the positive side of television, using it as a vehicle to teach
children basic skills.
Mr. Rogers had a worldwide appeal for children, and many of his
lessons preached tolerance and acceptance for those around you that may
initially appear different. He used gentle themes and a friendly voice
to convey his messages. Mr. Rogers had the ability to express his ideas
and children were able to act on in their homes and lives. Such an
example and contributor to American television deserves our utmost
praise. My own children, Erica and Jason, were drawn to Mr. Rogers'
knowledge and kindly approach--they learned alot!
I am a proud supporter of House Resolution 111, to honor his legacy.
I do offer my most sincere condolences to his wife, Joanne, their two
sons and two grandsons. Fred Rogers is certainly worthy of this honor.
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, in a world where too often
neighbors have become strangers, the meaning of ``Love thy neighbor''
has dwindled. Fred Rogers never lost that spirit. He accepted us into
his neighborhood, into his home, and presented our children with a
message that you should be loved for who you are.
``The whole idea,'' said Mr. Rogers, ``is to look at the television
camera and present as much love as you possibly could to a person who
needs it.''
Fred Rogers recognized the power of television to carry out that
message of caring, and become involved in children's broadcasting
during its infancy. In the early 1950s he began working in public
television at WQED, the first community public television station in
the nation. On his lunch breaks, he attended Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary and graduated magna cum laude with the Class of 1962 with his
Master's in Divinity. The day after graduation he was called to Canada
to being MISTEROGERS, the show that would evolve into Mister Rogers'
Neighborhood on his return to Pittsburgh a year later.
Mr. Rogers' teaching did not end at the close of each broadcast, or
even when he left the studio. Through Family Communications, Inc., Fred
Rogers was able to foster girls' involvement in math and science,
educate children about the dangers of prejudice, and teach pre-
schoolers anger management. Through Safe Havens Training Project, Mr.
Rogers was able to educate childcare workers on how to deal with
children that witnessed violence, proving them a place where they could
feel safe.
Fred Rogers also remained active in the ministry, educating a new
generation of ministers at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Summer
Youth Institute. Mr. Rogers would spend an afternoon with the
teenagers, hoping to impart to them the importance of the doctrine of
love and caring that he had made the center of his life.
Mr. Rogers was a teacher, an educator, and a presence in many of our
children's lives. The neighborhood will miss him.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 111.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________