[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 172 (Friday, October 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E972-E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PAYING TRIBUTE TO A GREAT AUTHOR, DIRECTOR, AND BALTIMOREAN: JOHN 
                                 WATERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KWEISI MFUME

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2025

  Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the artistic 
brilliance of legendary filmmaker and beloved Baltimorean, John Waters, 
for his outstanding contributions to the film industry. Affectionately 
dubbed the ``Pope of Trash'' by William S. Burroughs, Mr. Waters is a 
renowned author, producer, and director who was honored in 2023 with a 
star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  His unconventional interpretations of the world color his comical and 
flamboyant films, and he has dedicated his career to what he playfully 
refers to as ``filth'' for the big screen.
  An all-time great Baltimorean, Mr. Waters has left an indelible mark 
on the entertainment industry. His love for storytelling was developed 
as a child, putting on puppet shows at children's birthday parties. 
Through his teen years, he mastered the skills needed to write side-
splitting scripts, skills that he would put to the test for the rest of 
his lengthy career.
  Waters' hometown in the greater Baltimore area would become a central 
character in many of his films. Baltimore served as both the backdrop 
and the inspiration for much of

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Waters' early work. His iconic films, such as Pink Flamingos, Desperate 
Living, Female Trouble and Polyester reveal the unique personalities 
and plights he encountered during his formative years in and around 
Baltimore.
  Waters achieved mainstream success in 1988, after directing 
Hairspray, a critically acclaimed musical set in racially segregated 
Baltimore in the 1960s, which explores themes of identity, activism, 
and biases of all kinds. Mr. Waters' films are renowned for their 
dedicated fan communities, rooted in his dedication to fostering 
diversity on the big screen and his history of encouraging 
individuality amongst fans and peers in the industry.
  Beyond his filmmaking prowess, John Waters' influence extends to 
literature, art, and social commentary. A veritable gay ambassador 
himself, his artistic adaptations have provided a safe haven for his 
fans to embrace their creativity and self-expression while showing the 
world the brilliance contained within the LGBTQ community.
  The ethos of Mr. Waters' career is a celebration of the 
counterculture, and a passionate rejection of the norms within the 
entertainment industry that restrain artistic peculiarity and 
originality.
  John Waters' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a testament to his 
commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity--not only through 
his cinematic achievements, but also in life. He encapsulates what it 
means to be a Baltimorean, and our city couldn't ask for a better 
champion.
  His career demonstrates how the unlikeliest of places can give birth 
to the most extraordinary stories.
  Mr. Waters has forever changed the landscape of American cinema with 
his style, ingenuity, and wit. His films will continue to inspire the 
next generations of filmmakers while providing an example that shows 
that what some may describe as outrageous might just lead to a new 
artistic frontier.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize and salute Mr. John Samuel 
Waters, Jr., for his unyielding pursuit of humor and originality on the 
silver screen and for his undying love for the one-of-a-kind city that 
we both share, Baltimore.

                          ____________________