[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING MISTER FRED ROGERS

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President I rise today to pay tribute to the legacy 
of one of our Nation's most treasured educators and performers and a 
native Pennsylvanian, Mister Fred Rogers. Many are recognizing today as 
World Kindness Day and are performing acts of kindness toward their 
loved ones, neighbors, and even strangers. Perhaps no American embodies 
the spirit of kindness more than Fred Rogers.
  Affectionately known by children and adults alike as ``Mister 
Rogers,'' Fred McFeely Rogers was born in Latrobe, PA on March 20, 
1928. From an early age, Fred Rogers demonstrated an interest in 
learning, making art through creative expression, and serving other. He 
graduated with a degree in music composition from Rollins College in 
Winter Park FL., in 1951 and earned a degree in divinity from the 
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1962. A year later, he became an 
ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church.
  Mister Rogers began his television career shortly after college, 
working on the sets of NBC in New York City. He then moved back to 
Southwestern Pennsylvania to work for the first conmmunity-owned, 
public television station in the country, Pittsburgh's WQED. He gained 
a firsthand view of the transformative power of television and the 
impact that educational programs could have on adults and children. At 
WQED, Mister Rogers worked with Josie Carey on a program called ``The 
Children's Corner'', where many of his now-familiar characters were 
first given life. Additionally, he sought the expertise of Dr. Margaret 
McFarland, the director of the Arsenal Family and Children's Center in 
Pittsburgh, to integrate best teaching practices into his work.
  In 1963, Rogers appeared on camera for the first time to host a 
children's program called ``Misterogers''. The program was filmed by 
the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto and aired until 1967. 
Rogers returned to Pittsburgh and WQED, where he created and filmed 
``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood''. By 1968, the Public Broadcasting 
Service was broadcasting Mister Rogers to thousands of households 
throughout the country.
  For three decades, Mister Rogers brought love, kindness, generosity, 
grace, laughter, and cheer into the lives of countless children and 
their families. His lessons and performances on ``Mister Rogers' 
Neighborhood'' taught children about respect, safety, perseverance, 
civility, and caring for others. He did not shy away from issues that 
face almost every child, including intolerance, disagreement, and 
bullying. Because he could connect with children in a way few adults 
could, Mister Rogers helped children to cope and understand difficult 
emotional issues like anger, death, and divorce. Mister Rogers was a 
friend to all children and played an important role in the lives of 
many by reminding them of their self-worth.
  Mister Rogers was bestowed with numerous accolades, including the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was awarded by President George W. 
Bush in 2002. Since his death on February 27, 2003, scores of people 
have paid tribute to Mister Rogers' life and legacy. This year, 
Pennsylvania celebrated the first 1-4-3 Day--the number of letters in 
the word ``I love you'', as Mister Rogers would note--in Rogers' honor. 
Last month, the city of Nashville, TN, proclaimed November as Thank 
You, Mister Rogers Month. The arts industry has payed tribute to 
Rogers' body of work through collaborative music projects, biographies, 
and feature films. The outpouring of support is a testament to Rogers' 
impact on the Nation. Even today, millions of children continue to 
benefit from Mister Rogers' work through programs like the cartoon 
``Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood,'' which is made and distributed by Fred 
Rogers Productions.
  Fred Rogers will be remembered as a trailblazer in television, master 
educator, model citizen, and most notably, an inspiration to children 
and communities across the Nation. His legacy lives on through his art 
and can be found in acts of kindness being done in every neighborhood 
across the country.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
life of Fred Rogers, a friendly neighbor and model citizen for whom 
every day was beautiful.

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