[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING MATT GIRAUD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2009

  Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matt Giraud, a 
great talent from Kalamazoo, Michigan, for placing in the top five on 
the eighth season of Fox's American Idol.
  Every week, Matt has been a staple in our living rooms, helping us 
forget about Michigan's challenges for a little while as he sang the 
hits in his own impressive style.
  A life-long Michigan resident, Matt grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan 
where he began his musical career by playing drums at his local church. 
As time passed, Matt became more serious about music. He taught himself 
how to play the piano and began singing at the age of sixteen. Matt 
spent his college years in Kalamazoo and attended Western Michigan 
University, where he studied organizational communication and was a 
member of the jazz ensemble Gold Company II. After graduating from 
Western, Matt decided to make Kalamazoo his home and became a regular 
performer at Monaco Bay and Zazio's lounge, building quite a local 
following--including me and my staff.
  Matt was a performer on American Idol this season, wowing us time and 
time again with his polished performances. The State of Michigan has 
been rooting for him from the beginning and we in Kalamazoo are proud 
to call Matt Giraud our home town idol. Matt, congratulations on your 
success and we look forward to watching you succeed in the years ahead.
  Although Matt's run is over on American Idol, a brilliant career is 
just beginning.

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