[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MESSIAH FESTIVAL IN 
                           LINDSBORG, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
commemorate the 125th Messiah Festival in Lindsborg, Kansas. This 
April, the community of Lindsborg will celebrate Holy Week by 
performing Handel's ``The Messiah.'' This musical interpretation of the 
Easter story has been enjoyed in Lindsborg since the late 1800s when 
local immigrant pioneers first gathered together to perform this 
historic piece.
  Many pioneers settling in the Smoky Valley on the plains of Kansas 
journeyed far from their homes in Sweden. They sought a better way of 
life and the choice to practice a religion free from the will of 
Sweden's state church. These pioneers thrived in their newly adopted 
Kansas home. They adjusted to a new American way of life, but the 
citizens of Lindsborg never lost sight of the culture and values that 
formed their Swedish heritage.
  One tradition that has sustained the life of this community through 
the years is the annual Messiah Festival. In 1881, Reverend Carl 
Swensson, the founder of Bethany College in Lindsborg, and his wife, 
Alma, organized the Bethany Oratorio Society in the parsonage of 
Bethany Lutheran Church. Alma taught the music and English words of 
``The Messiah'' to 40 parishioners. After a winter and spring of 
instruction, Bethany Lutheran Church began a storied tradition as host 
to this community celebration marking Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday 
with beautiful music.
  The enterprising spirit and strong Swedish heritage of the early 
pioneers who began the Messiah Festival has since led to great cultural 
and educational additions to the State of Kansas. As the Messiah 
Festival tradition has grown, so has the town of Lindsborg, and Bethany 
College. This liberal arts institution has expanded to offer 
baccalaureate degrees in over thirty fields to an enrollment of 600 
full and part -time students from 19 states and 12 countries. The 
Lindsborg community continues to honor its foundation of cultural 
expression by hosting art and music festivals and offering unique arts, 
crafts and import gift shops.
  It is with great pleasure that I represent this Kansas community in 
Congress. Lindsborg demonstrates how collaboration, a rich cultural 
heritage, and appreciation for beautiful music celebrating the Lord can 
create a tradition worthy of 125 years of repeating.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing the 
Lindsborg community for their 125th Anniversary Messiah Festival and 
for their many contributions to the State of Kansas.

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