[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 118 (Monday, September 27, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9724-S9725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SANTORUM (for himself and Mr. Specter):
  S. 2850. A bill to authorize the President to posthumously award a 
gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Fred McFeely Rogers, in 
recognition of his lasting contributions to the application of 
creativity and imagination in the early education of our Nation's 
children, and to his lasting example to the Nation and the world of 
what it means to be a good neighbor; to the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Mr. Fred McFeely Rogers and to introduce, along with 
Senator Specter, a measure posthumously award him a Congressional Gold 
Medal.
  People of all ages across the country were saddened to learn of Fred 
Rogers' death last year. Better known to generations of Americans 
simply as Mr. Rogers, he devoted his life to fostering children's 
imaginations and reinforcing virtues that help serve the greater good 
of society.
  A student of child development at the University of Pittsburgh and an 
ordained Presbyterian minister, Fred Rogers produced various local and 
national television programs for the enjoyment of America's youth. Most 
notable among his productions were ``The Children's Corner'' and ``Mr. 
Rogers' Neighborhood,'' programs that showcased Rogers' talent as both 
producer and actor. For his work on programs such as these, Fred Rogers 
was awarded numerous professional accolades that included four Emmy 
Awards, ``Lifetime Achievement'' Awards from the National Academy of 
Television Arts and Sciences and the TV Critics Association, and two 
George Foster Peabody Awards. In 1999, he was inducted into the 
Television Hall of Fame.
  Beyond his professional accomplishments, Fred Rogers was an 
ambassador of kindness and compassion to generations of American 
children. He infused

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laughter and life lessons into every episode of his programs. Time 
spent in ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'' taught children to share, care 
for others, and express their emotions during times of grief and 
trouble. Above all, he taught children how to be a good neighbor to 
those in their communities.
  I commend the work of Fred McFeely Rogers, and I am privileged to 
introduce this measure on behalf of everyone who had the opportunity to 
watch and learn from Mr. Rogers--we were truly blessed to have such a 
compassionate and caring figure broadcast into our homes on a daily 
basis. He well be greatly missed, but his exemplary life of tireless 
service will not be forgotten.

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