[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 151 (Thursday, September 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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    150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ``PRIDE OF THE 
                       SOUTHLAND'' MARCHING BAND

 Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
150th anniversary of the University of Tennessee ``Pride of the 
Southland'' marching band and congratulate this esteemed band on 150 
years of success.
  The ``Pride of the Southland'' marching band was founded in 1869 by 
Gustavus Robert Knabe, from Germany. During the 150 years of the 
marching band, there have been 10 directors, including the current 
director, Dr. Donald Ryder, who was proceeded by both Dr. Gary Sousa 
and Dr. W.J. Julian. It was Dr. Julian who created the now famous 
``Circle Drill.''
  Since the band was formed after the close of the Civil War, it had a 
military style with both uniforms and music. The marching band 
maintained a military look until 1951, when the then-band director, 
Walter M. Ryba, changed the look of the uniform and created a new look 
on the field. When Dr. W.J. Julian became the director in 1961, the 
marching band was moved from the military department and placed in the 
music education curriculum. With this change, they received new 
uniforms consisting of navy blue trousers and jackets with an orange 
and white military-style vest overlay with braided shoulder straps and 
a white plume with an orange and white shako. This is the uniform 
currently still in use today.
  Over the last 150 years, the marching band has grown dramatically 
from 13 members to over 350 members. With such a deep and rich history, 
it is no surprise that several families have had multiple generations 
who have participated in the ``Pride.''
  The ``Pride of the Southland'' marching band has been recognized 
internationally for their unique marching style and music, including 
the innovative ``Circle Drill,'' which has become a strong tradition 
each fall, and ``Rocky Top,'' which started as the band's halftime show 
in October 1972, during the Vols annual football game versus Alabama.
  In 1982, the marching band opened the World's Fair in Knoxville and 
has performed in 15 Presidential inauguration--a record unmatched by 
any civilian organization--with the first being President Dwight 
Eisenhower in 1953 and, most recently, President Donald Trump. The band 
has appeared in over 50 bowl games, including the Rose Bowl, Cotton 
Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Citrus Bowl, Peach Bowl, Sun Bowl, Hall 
of Fame Bowl and the 1998 National Championship Fiesta Bowl. They have 
also performed on the field with stars such as Charlie Daniels Band, 
Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, Lee Greenwood, Roy Acuff, the Osborne 
Brothers, and many others.
  At home in Neyland Stadium, the ``Pride of the Southland'' band has 
impressed Vol fans with its pre-game show, which is considered one of 
the finest ever performed. The band created the ``V-O-L-S'' chant, the 
opening of the ``Power T,'' ``USA,'' and more.
  I would like to recognize the ``Pride of the Southland'' marching 
band for its 150 years of rich history and commend the University of 
Tennessee and all band members, past and present, for the part they 
have played to make the program such a storied success. When I was 14, 
I sold programs at Neyland Stadium. There is nothing more exciting than 
watching a football game in Neyland Stadium, and if your seats are by 
the band, that is even better.
  There are no other traditions in the University of Tennessee's 
history that can surpass the astounding accomplishments and success 
that the ``Pride of the Southland'' marching band has in its 150 years 
of service to a great university.

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