[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 22994-22995]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN KAY AND HER ``THANKSGIVING PRAYER''

 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a wonderful 
Utah woman, mother, and nationally published poet, Ms. Kathryn Kay. I 
also want to relate a remarkable story concerning Ms. Kay and a poem 
she wrote more than 60 years ago.
  The poem, ``Thanksgiving Prayer,'' and the story behind it could have 
happened today. Its message is timely, its impetus notable.
  ``Thanksgiving Prayer'' was part of a book of poems If the Shoe Fits, 
written by Kathryn Kay. The book was sold out of a little book store in 
the heart of Hollywood, California, where Ms. Kay was living and 
working at the time. The book, and its ensuing poem, were read and 
well-liked by many Hollywood stars, including the wife of the legendary 
veteran film actor, Hobart Boswarth.
  At that time, the Nation was about to embark on a celebration 
commemorating the sesquicentennial of the ratification of the Bill of 
Rights. Mrs. Boswarth was serving as the Pacific Coast chairwoman of 
the celebration, and in that role was able to give the poem, 
``Thanksgiving Prayer,'' to President Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. 
She framed it in gold and presented it to Eleanor Roosevelt for her 
work in improving the cultural arts. Kathryn also officially dedicated 
the poem to her with ``sincere appreciation of her example, which 
causes women of today to build for tomorrow.''
  Mrs. Boswarth also arranged for this poem to be part of the Southern 
California Bill of Rights Celebration. She had the poem cast on a large 
bronze plaque, ready to be placed on Mt. Whitney, and read at the 
beginning of the official week long celebration of the Bill of Rights, 
as proclaimed by President Roosevelt. The date for the ceremony was 
December 7, 1941.
  As history so tragically reminds us, no celebrations took place that 
day; America was attacked, and we were at war.
  The bronze plaque was melted down to make bullet casings for the war 
America was battling. The heartfelt words of gratitude for America 
would not be immortalized.
  Ms. Kay went on to publish many more poems, and two more books of 
poetry. She returned to Utah, and continued her career in live 
television and as a columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune. She married 
Lee Pratt, and raised two wonderful sons.
  But her love for poetry never dimmed. Kathryn Kay has been a driving 
force for many, many years in Utah to promote poetry, from the high 
school to the professional society level. She helped found the Utah 
State Poetry Society, and served two terms as its president. In fact, 
well into her late 80s, she continued to edit the society's yearly 
publication.
  Kathryn is 95 years old, still living in Utah, and still touching the 
lives of those around her. Perhaps her greatest tribute recently came 
from her son, Jim. He described his mother this way: ``She is a happy 
breath of sunshine, who appreciates life and makes life better for 
everyone she meets.''
  I pay tribute to Kathryn Kay today, and in turn, share with the 
Nation the words penned by her so many years ago. As we all pause 
during the next few weeks to celebrate the holiday season in our own 
way, I hope that the words of this poem written during another time of 
conflict and war will serve to strengthen us and remind us of the 
blessings we share as Americans.
  The poem follows:

                          Thanksgiving Prayer

     God ev'ry year about this time,
     according to routine,
     I've bowed my head in the accepted way
     and offered thanks, like some well synchronized machine.
     that prayed because it was the time to pray.
     But, God, this year is different, this year I seem to feel
     America's Thanksgiving is my own,
     that in my nation's gratitude I have a part that's real
     a part that until now I've never known.
     And, God, this year a deep humility has filled my heart,
     a newborn pride rings true throughout my soul

[[Page 22995]]

     because I do belong, because I have and am a part,
     a tiny part of one tremendous whole.
     I think I know the feeling of those first Americans
     who said, ``We must give thanks for this, our land.''
     I cherish now the rights that are each woman's, ev'ry man's,
     the rights I've just begun to understand.
     This year my heart has learned what all Thanksgiving Days are 
           for,
     true thankfulness at last I realize,
     but, God, I'm sorry that it took the tragedy of war
     in other lands to open up my eyes.
     Again I bow my head but this time deep within me stirs
     a mighty prayer, part of one vast design,
     ``God, help me make America as proud that I am hers
     as I am proud, and grateful she is mine!''

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