[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23242]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TOMMY REDER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the 
Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame to honor Mr. Tommy Reder of Bay 
City, Michigan for his musical contributions to the Polka music 
industry. On October 5, 2003 Mr. Tommy Reder will be inducted into the 
Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame.
  Tommy Reder was born in Bay City, Michigan on February 2, 1939 to 
Louis and Frances Reder. He graduated from St. Stanislaus School. In 
1962, he graduated from Central Michigan University. Tommy adapted a 
love for music at an early age. In 1947 at the age of 8, Tommy was 
awarded first chair in the clarinet section of the St. Stanislaus 
school band. By fifth grade Tommy had mastered the saxophone and began 
playing at various social events. His first major performance was with 
the Ted Dzrewicki Orchestra; it was with this group that Tommy was able 
to sharpen his vocal, music writing and arranging skills. In 1963 Tommy 
assumed leadership of the Tommy K'Orchestra, which was later renamed 
the Polka Towners Orchestra. The group performed at Polka Festivals 
throughout the country, and was the sponsor of the Polka tours to 
Hawaii, Toronto, Seven Springs, Pennsylvania and Las Vegas. In 1978 
Tommy and his group had the privilege of performing back up for Bobby 
Vinton at the Riviera during the PLAV convention. The Polka Towners 
recorded six 45's, eight LP's, four 8 tracks, three cassettes, and one 
CD. Aside from performing, Tommy co-hosted the Polka Show on WKCQ and 
WSAM from 1974 to 1999. Presently Tommy performs with the Bay Area 
Concert, Midland Concert and the Vassar City Bands.
  In addition to being a musical icon, Tommy is an outstanding father 
and husband. He has three children, Becky, Edward, and Marty. Tommy 
married Barbara, his wife and mother of his children in 1965. Barbara 
passed away in 1996. Tommy remarried in 2002, and his new bride is 
Dollene.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues of the 108th Congress to please join 
me in congratulating Tommy Reder on obtaining the State's highest honor 
for contributions made to the Polka Music Industry.

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