[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO NELLE HARPER LEE AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER PULITZER 
             PRIZE WINNING NOVEL ``TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD''

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                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, July 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of 
Nelle Harper Lee's novel ``To Kill a Mockingbird.''
  First published on July 11, 1960, ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' has since 
sold over 30 million copies and has been published in over 40 
languages.
  During the past 50 years the world has seen many changes but one 
thing still remains constant--``To Kill a Mockingbird'', the novel that 
inspired children and adults in 1961 is still inspiring a new 
generation of children and adults today. Few novels have such timeless 
and universal appeal.
  ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' has received numerous awards including the 
Pulitzer Prize in 1960 and the film adaptation received three Academy 
Awards and three Golden Globe Awards in 1962.
  The Mockingbird Players, an amateur theater group, perform the 
dramatization of ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' every April and May in 
Monroeville, Alabama, Lee's hometown. The players have performed at 
both home and abroad including performances in Chicago, Washington, 
D.C., the United Kingdom and Israel.
  One of the novels best known quotes is, ``Lawyers, I suppose, were 
children once.'' This quote and her character, Atticus Finch, have 
inspired lawyers for the past 50 years, including myself.
  For those who have read ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' you may remember 
Scout's first grade teacher was Miss Caroline Fisher. On Scout's first 
day at school, Miss Caroline Fisher introduced herself proudly saying, 
``I am Caroline Fisher. I am from North Alabama, from Winston County.'' 
Being born and raised in Winston County, which is a small rural county 
in North Alabama. I remember being surprised to see my home county 
mentioned as I first read the book as a law student at Samford 
University's Cumberland School of Law. From that day forward ``To Kill 
a Mockingbird'' has been a favorite of mine, not only because my home 
county was mentioned but most importantly because the message the book 
articulates.
  Nelle, as she is affectionately known by her friends, was awarded the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 5, 2007 by President George 
W. Bush.
  Besides ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' Lee also penned ``Christmas to 
Me'' and ``When Children Discover America'' for McCall's Magazine in 
the 1960s.
  Miss Lee is a national treasure and I am proud to cosponsor and vote 
for Mr. Bonner's resolution, H. Res. 1525, honoring the 50th 
anniversary of ``To Kill a Mockingbird.''

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