[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 172 (Thursday, November 10, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       MUSIC IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I want to spotlight a 
generous act that will help a school and a community recover from a 
terrible natural disaster.
  Joplin, MO, was devastated this past May by the worst tornado to 
strike the United States in 60 years. This horrific storm cut a 6-mile 
swath through Joplin, killing 162 people and destroying more than 8,000 
buildings, including thousands of homes and many of the city's schools.
  The people of Joplin have worked heroically to rebuild their 
community. At the end of August, students returned to school. Thanks to 
donations from people across America and around the world, every 
student received a backpack with school supplies and a new laptop 
computer.
  Barry Manilow saw one need that had not been met: Among the countless 
losses in the tornado were all the musical instruments used by students 
in the band at Joplin High School and other city schools.
  Last month, Barry arrived in Joplin with three truckloads of 
instruments, worth about $300,000. He presented the donation personally 
on the football field at Joplin High. Barry noted that his own high 
school music program in Brooklyn, NY, had nurtured his talent and 
opened the way for his amazing musical career.
  Barry Manilow's gift to Joplin was tremendous but not unique for him. 
Through his nonprofit Manilow Music Project, Barry has helped public 
schools across the country to survive despite drastic cuts to school 
funding for the arts. He not only writes the songs; he also writes 
checks that enable school music programs to keep bringing the gift of 
music to our students, schools, and communities.
  I salute Barry Manilow today and am deeply moved by his act of 
kindness. It brings me great pride to call him not only a Californian, 
but also a friend.

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