[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     RECOGNIZING PATRICIA SPOONHEIM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2018

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Montana musician 
known and loved by hundreds of thousands of fans in Montana and across 
the world.
   That's no exaggeration, because she has played in one iconic Montana 
establishment for 55 years.
   Patricia Spoonheim, better known as Piano Pat, began playing 
keyboards at the Sip 'n Dip Lounge in Great Falls in 1963. Travel 
publications acclaim the Sip 'n Dip as a ``must see'' in Montana, and 
Piano Pat is one of the reasons.
   Pat was born and raised along Montana's Hi-Line in the 1930s. Even 
during harsh winters, Pat's mother would drive her over 80 miles 
roundtrip for piano lessons. She began playing professionally at the 
age of 14.
   Pat worked multiple jobs and played several nights a week to support 
her family. Now into her 80s, Piano Pat still enjoys what she does. She 
teaches her grandchildren piano and continues to work nights at the Sip 
'n Dip. The one song she says she particularly loves performing is 
``Try a Little Tenderness.''
   Television networks and national publications have profiled Piano 
Pat. A cable television channel recently featured her to represent 
Montana in a series titled ``Her America: 50 Women, 50 States.''
   Her music and spirit have entertained countless Montanans and 
visitors from across the globe. It is my honor to recognize Patricia 
Spoonheim for entertaining patrons of the Sip 'n Dip and for 
representing our Montana way of life.

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