[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     REMEMBERING LISA MARIE PRESLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2023

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in profound sadness to mark the 
passing of a daughter of Memphis and a world-renowned ambassador of 
American music and culture, Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa Marie passed on 
January 12 at the age of 54. Her life was celebrated this past Sunday 
at Graceland, in Memphis, where she is buried with her father, Elvis, 
and her 27-year-old son, Benjamin Storm Keough, in the mansion's 
Memorial Garden. Lisa Marie was born in Memphis on February 1, 1968, 
and the event made headlines around the world. She remained in the 
limelight throughout her life, bestowing her charm on her hometown by 
unveiling the U.S. postage stamp honoring her father in Memphis, 
leading her own musical career, nurturing her father's legacy, and 
remembering Graceland as a place of refuge even though she was there 
when her father passed away in 1977. As befits a rock 'n roll legend 
with 3 well-regarded studio albums, she was given a star-studded send 
off on a cold and dreary day with her mother, Priscilla, reciting a 
poem; Sarah, the Duchess of York and a friend, remembering her lost 
son; and Alanis Morissette, Billy Corgan, the Blackwood Brothers 
Quartet, and Axl Rose offering musical tributes. The service was 
bookended by Jason Clark and The Tennessee Mass Choir, who began with 
``Amazing Grace.'' It was an honor to attend the celebration of her 
life in front of Graceland along with ``Elvis'' director Baz Luhrmann; 
actor Austin Butler, who portrayed Elvis in Luhrmann's film; Jerry 
Schilling, one
of Elvis' closest friends and a family confidante; former Memphis and 
Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton; Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland; and an 
estimated 5,000 fans. I wish to express my deepest condolences to Lisa 
Marie's mother, my friend Priscilla, Lisa Marie's daughters, actress 
Riley Keough and twins Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood and Finley Aaron 
Love Lockwood, and all who knew and loved her.

                          ____________________