[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING BILLY ``SINGLE'' CLIFFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend to the 
House the work of the Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker 
Committee to promote the career and contributions of Urbana native and 
vaudeville legend Billy ``Single'' Clifford.
  Born Clyde Shyrigh, Clifford was born in 1869 in Urbana, Ohio, to 
Levi and Sarah Shyrigh. His love of music was evident from his early 
childhood, when he would stage performances in the family barn. 
Clifford began appearing with a traveling circus at age 10, where he 
further developed his singing and dancing skills. This led him 
ultimately to a successful vaudeville career, with performances along 
the East Coast and throughout Europe.
  Clifford built the Clifford Theater in 1905 on the site where his 
family's barn had stood. The theater was the first of its kind in 
Urbana, with an 80-foot stage and a seating capacity of 700. In 
addition to performances by a vaudeville troupe formed by Clifford, it 
hosted many notable entertainers through the years--including the March 
King, John Philip Sousa.
  On July 24, the Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker 
Committee and the family and friends of Charles L. Mott will dedicate a 
marker celebrating Clifford and the Clifford Theater. I am honored to 
join them and the people of Champaign County in commemorating this 
event.

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