[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 88 (Friday, May 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE

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                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 2026

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Carter Family 
descendant, Ms. Rita Forrester, who worked for years in Southwest 
Virginia to preserve the storied legacy of an American country music 
icon, the Carter Family. Therefore, I include in the Record a 
proclamation in their honor:

       Whereas, The Original Carter Family, A.P., Sara, and 
     Maybelle, changed Country Music history, and helped establish 
     the fabric of American Country Music, beginning in 1927, with 
     their first recordings during what Johnny Cash referred to as 
     the ``Big Bang of Country Music.'' Over succeeding decades, 
     they introduced hundreds of songs that became the canon of 
     ``songs everybody knows,'' including ``Wildwood Flower,'' 
     ``Keep on the Sunny Side,'' ``Will the Circle Be Unbroken,'' 
     and ``The Wabash Cannonball;''
       Whereas, Janette Carter, daughter of A.P. and Sara, 
     fulfilled a deathbed promise to her father to ``carry the 
     music forward.'' drew on her legacy, her faith, and on the 
     strength and inspiration of family and friends, and founded 
     ``The Carter Family Fold,'' weekly live traditional Country 
     Music program in the valley, at the homeplace of the Carter 
     Family. Thus, the Carter Family Fold became a vital part of 
     our contemporary cultural story;
       Whereas, Janette's daughter, Rita Forrester assisted her 
     mother in producing and running the weekly show and 
     travelling to events regionally, nationally, and 
     internationally, to receive accolades and awards, at one 
     point, meeting British Prime Minister, Margret Thatcher;
       Whereas, Rita persevered, helping to maintain consistent 
     quality, authentic experience for all who came regularly from 
     every state in the nation and many countries around the world 
     to experience authentic traditional Country Music, even when 
     tragedies struck, such as the week her house burned taking 
     the life of her beloved husband;
       Whereas, Rita Forrester, on the event of her mother's 
     passing, assumed duties as the director, steadfastly ensuring 
     that this important part of our cultural heritage would 
     continue, performing tasks including scheduling, hosting and 
     introducing the performances, personally making homemade 
     chili for the audience, and travelling to represent the 
     Carter Family Fold and the family;
       Whereas, Rita's humble, gentle manner belies her powerful 
     influence. In days when social media and artificial 
     intelligence replace cultural heritage that has sustained our 
     families for generations, those who nurture our traditional 
     arts become the heroes of our society; and
       Therefore, in the old style of building a home, there was a 
     foundational hearthstone, or ``heart stone'' as it was called 
     by some ancient Scots. Sich is the power of Rita Forrester's 
     devotion, commitment, and steadfast faith that they are 
     inextricably woven into the legacy of the Carter Family. Rita 
     Forrester is recognized as a vital part of the foundation of 
     the Carter Family Fold, and a Heart Stone of our culture.

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