[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 121 (Thursday, July 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING BIG RIVER CHAUTAUQUA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2019

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Big River 
Chautauqua, celebrating its 25th year in Bonne Terre, Missouri. It's 
the longest-running privately-funded Chautauqua west of the Mississippi 
River. Named for Chautauqua Lake where the first event was held in New 
York in the mid-1920's, the Big River Chautauqua has been designated by 
the Missouri Humanities Council as an outstanding example of 
interactive learning.
  It's held in a big white tent outside city hall and since 1995, 
Chautauqua has brought together hundreds of people to see history come 
to life each night. Scholar-Actors have told tales of the Founding 
Fathers; great authors and showmen; and heroes, heroines and outlaws of 
the Old West. Appreciative audiences have seen Civil War generals and 
Anything-But-Civil Politicians who told their life stories in the first 
person.
  Founded by Joe Layden and Sherry Greminger, the entire event is 
organized, planned and led by volunteers. That includes the Chautauqua 
Singers who set each character in their time of life by singing the 
songs of the era they lived. And all the entertainment is free.
  Community Spirit is the foundation of Chautauqua and the secret to 
its success. It is my great pleasure to celebrate the Big River 
Chautauqua of Bonne Terre, Missouri today before the United States 
House of Representatives.

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