[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23]
[House]
[Page 32138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 MARKING THE PASSING OF JOHN LENNON AND ACCLAIMING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
                              OF BOB SEGER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn and mark the passing 
of John Lennon and to acclaim the accomplishments of Bob Seger, both of 
them musicians and artists, performers and poets.
  First, on a sorrowful note, today observes the 23rd commemoration of 
the murder of John Winston Ono Lennon, M.B.E. Let us mark and continue 
to mourn his passage not merely with words but with his music and then 
with every agonizing echo of the deafening silence left in the wake of 
his senseless loss. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his widow and 
his sons.
  On a joyous note, however, I also rise to celebrate the achievements 
of one who has followed and honored Mr. Lennon's legacy, Michigan's own 
Bob Seger. Rising from his working-class roots, Bob Seger has reached 
the pinnacle of the rock and roll world. For after his loyal fans 
conducted a petition drive and collected nearly 4,500 signatures, Mr. 
Seger is finally being duly recognized and inducted into the Rock and 
Roll Hall of Fame. He could not be more deserving.
  Mr. Seger's life's work, his art, has been a celebration of working 
Americans, our lives, our loves, our losses and, most importantly, the 
little victories which hearten and heal and lead us all ever onward in 
this arduous journey of life. He is a musician, an entertainer, and a 
poet who speaks not only to our ears but also to our hearts.
  Once the romantic poet William Wordsworth explained the essence of 
artistic virtue: ``And then a wish: My best and favorite aspiration 
mounts with yearning toward some philosophical song of truth which 
cherishes our daily lives.''
  For over 30 years, Mr. Seger has sung this philosophical song of 
truth, cherishing our daily lives. Let us now honor his.

                          ____________________