[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2987-S2988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNITION OF THE 80TH ANNUAL PRINCE OF PEACE EASTER PAGEANT

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the 80th 
Annual ``The Prince of Peace'' Easter Pageant that has been performed 
annually in the historic Holy City of the Wichitas since 1926. I am 
very proud of this truly outstanding Oklahoma tradition and would like 
to congratulate the dedicated performers and organizers both past and 
present who have kept it alive all these years.
  The pageant was the brainchild of a young pastor, Reverend Anthony 
Mark Wallock, of the First Congregational Church in Lawton, OK. Eighty 
years ago, he gathered a few hardy souls from his church and Sunday 
school class on a mountain peak at Medicine Park, OK, where he 
conducted a short Easter morning service. That worship ceremony, which 
was carried out in word, song, and pantomime, eventually became the 
world-renowned Easter pageant, ``The Prince of Peace.''
  Word about the pageant spread quickly, and began attracting a larger 
audience. As a result, the pageant was moved to the foot of Mount 
Roosevelt in the heart of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The 
twenty-two buildings at the new site were completed and dedicated on 
March 31, 1935, and the first pageant there, performed on April 21, 
drew a crowd of 82,000 people.
  In the 1940's, the pageant even drew the attention of Hollywood and 
in 1948 the film, ``The Lawton Story--The Prince of Peace'' was 
produced with the participation of many local citizens in Lawton and 
the surrounding area. Although Reverend Wallock passed away on December 
26 of that year, the story of the pageant he founded lived on in the 
community that he loved.
  Since then, hundreds upon thousands of volunteers have carried on the 
annual tradition of presenting this historic production. It has become 
the longest continuously running outdoor Easter pageant in America. 
Every Easter season, on Palm Sunday Eve and Easter Eve, starting at 
9:00 in the evening, 300 costumed volunteer performers bring the 
pageant to life.

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  The voices of the characters come from the reading cast. Their timed 
speaking gives life to the pantomiming actors. Those in charge of 
music, sound effects, and the all-important lighting give realism to 
the story. The brilliant costumes, live animals, and surprise special 
effects all contribute to a rich and beautiful depiction of the life of 
Christ.
  Mr. President, as the Easter season approaches and this storied 
pageant enters its 80th year, I extend my gratitude for all those who 
have committed to keep its flame burning. The message of hope and human 
redemption that is at the heart of this pageant is one that we sorely 
need today, and I hope that Reverend Wallock's inspiring legacy will 
live on for 80 more years and beyond.

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