[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5062-5065]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LEGACY OF FRED ROGERS AND HIS DEDICATION TO CREATING A 
                        MORE COMPASSIONATE WORLD

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 111) honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his 
dedication to creating a more compassionate, kind, and loving world for 
children and adults.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 111

       Whereas on February 27, 2003, neighborhoods across the 
     Nation were saddened by the death of Fred McFeely Rogers, 
     creator and star of ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'';
       Whereas Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 
     1928, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1953, where he pursued his 
     education at the University of Pittsburgh while attending 
     Pittsburgh Theological Seminary;
       Whereas in 1963, Mr. Rogers was ordained as a Presbyterian 
     minister;
       Whereas his landmark show ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' 
     inspired, taught, and encouraged children, families, and 
     adults since its first nationwide broadcast on February 19, 
     1968, with messages of love, peace, and comfort;
       Whereas Mr. Rogers created over 200 of his own songs for 
     his show, which always began in a comfortable family living 
     room as he changed into his trademark cardigan sweater and 
     sneakers, to encourage the healthy emotional growth of 
     children and their families through imagination and 
     friendship;
       Whereas Mr. Rogers encouraged millions of children across 
     the world to love themselves and their neighbors and to deal 
     with complex emotional issues in a safe, reassuring way;
       Whereas on July 9, 2002, in recognition of the 
     contributions of Mr. Rogers, President George W. Bush 
     presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a 
     White House ceremony and said, ``Fred Rogers has proven that 
     television can soothe the soul and nurture the spirit and 
     teach the very young'';
       Whereas the final show of ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' 
     aired in August 2001, after having completed 33 television 
     seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes;
       Whereas Mr. Rogers received many awards and honors for his 
     efforts, including lifetime achievement awards from the 
     Daytime Emmys and the Television Critics Association, 
     designation as one of the ``50 greatest TV stars of all 
     time'' by TV Guide, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 
     1998, and induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999; 
     and
       Whereas Mr. Rogers always remained humble and true to his 
     philosophy, saying ``I have really never considered myself a 
     TV star. . . . I always thought I was a neighbor who just 
     came in for a visit'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors Fred Rogers for his legendary service to the 
     improvement of the lives of children, his steadfast 
     commitment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and his 
     dedication to spreading kindness through example; and
       (2) expresses condolences and sympathies to his wife 
     Joanne, his two sons, and his two grandsons.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we are here to both mourn the loss of a great American, 
Mr. Fred Rogers, who died last week at the age of 74, and also to 
celebrate what he has done, what he has meant to so many Americans and 
people around the world, and remember his legacy with joy and hope, and 
look forward to the continued impact that he will have on the lives of 
so many.
  Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and he studied child 
development at the University of Pittsburgh. He was ordained as a 
Presbyterian minister. His television program, which debuted in 1964, 
continues on today, even though the last tape was taped in 2001 and 
aired last year or so. His program lives on, and I want to make a few 
comments about the man we all know as Mr. Rogers.

                              {time}  1445

  There is a magic that is Fred Rogers that really is not magical at 
all. He is not the creation of boardrooms or animators or high-tech 
special effects. He is who he is and nothing less. It is the 
transparency of being himself, with no pretense or facade, that enabled 
him to connect with millions around the world of all ages, of all walks 
of life.
  When people think of Mr. Rogers, oftentimes the first thing that 
comes to mind is his television program of nearly 40 years for young 
children, though people of today know him well. We are recognizing him 
here in this Chamber not just for these generations of today, but so 
that future generations who

[[Page 5063]]

read the Record in the years to come will be able to know about the 
moment, this moment in time and what we valued.
  I had the pleasure of working at least a little bit with Fred Rogers 
in one area that was a shared passion of ours and that was quality 
early childhood education. He recognized that quality education makes 
an impact on the child's neurological development that lasts a 
lifetime. I might say when I had the time to sit down and meet with 
Fred, as anybody else would say the same thing, you sat in his office 
that had a piano, that had some soft furniture and a puppet or two, and 
you could not help within just a few moments of finding that you slowed 
down with your life, that he began to talk directly to you, and you 
felt things that perhaps you had forgotten in your own life of what was 
really important. He studied child development while he was studying 
for his degree as a Presbyterian minister and later worked regularly 
with Dr. Margaret McFarland, also an expert in child development. Their 
regular meetings was what created the programs that we now know.
  Fred believed that childhood is not just a time you get through, 
because so many things happen during that time. He had tremendous 
respect for viewers, knowing that most were young children, all with 
their own needs but also knowing that he touched the child in all of 
us, seniors, adults, parents, those with disabilities, everyone.
  When one watched his show, you watched him enter the room and you saw 
him change into his sweater and change his shoes and talk; you 
immediately entered the world, or rather through his simple magic with 
his show, he entered the world of children. He was childlike without 
being childish. He remained the adult, mature and wise, caring and 
comforting, safe and nurturing. Though his program earned awards that 
made him the envy of all in television, he was never an actor. He was a 
communicator, saying above all else, You are special and so is everyone 
else in this world. The puppets he created in his Neighborhood of Make 
Believe would never have made it through today's TV boardrooms. Indeed 
he was asked to spice up his show with more action. He responded by 
working to build up public television.
  The station WQED in Pittsburgh has been inundated with calls and e-
mails that pour in by the minute, not just expressing condolences but 
people telling their stories, for example, a sports talk radio show in 
South Carolina finding that their show was taken over by people with 
their memories of Fred Rogers. Or a young woman who told me that when 
she was a child living in the neighborhood that Fred Rogers is from, 
one day she went up and knocked on his door hoping to see him.
  He had a magic which was so important to all of us, and it is sad to 
see that go. But it is important for the children of the world to know 
that that program shall live on. The messages that Fred sent will 
continue, about people being special, about parents' love for their 
children, about being caring, and also the staff that I have come to 
know with ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,'' such folks as Hedda Sharapan, 
David Newell, Bill Isler and many, many more will continue on with his 
legacy.
  Our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife, Joanne, and with all 
whose lives he has touched. The joy will come in knowing that he will 
continue to touch so many more.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle), 
the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) for his kindness and consideration.

     Please don't think it's funny
     When you want the ones you miss.
     There are lots and lots of people
     Who sometimes feel like this.

  Mr. Speaker, I borrowed that opening verse from one of the original 
songs written by Fred McFeely Rogers during his long and legendary 
career. He wrote over 200 such songs to help explain complex, 
confusing, and often frightening issues to children in a gentle, 
noncondescending, and reassuring manner. That is what Mr. Rogers did 
best, make generations of children in this Nation and beyond feel 
special, important, and most of all, loved.
  Mr. Rogers always started his shows by changing into his familiar 
cardigan and comfy tennis shoes to give children a sense of comfort and 
consistency. As I don this cardigan, I know there are lots and lots of 
people in this Chamber and the world who will forever miss the 
neighborly comfort, love, and wisdom Mr. Rogers gave while wearing a 
sweater like this one on the show. It is in his honor that I have 
introduced House Resolution 111, and I sincerely hope all my colleagues 
join with me in celebrating the legacy of Fred Rogers.
  Fred was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, about a half hour east of 
Pittsburgh, and lived nearly his entire life in the city I am proud to 
represent, Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh will always be Mr. Rogers' 
neighborhood. It was in Pittsburgh in 1954 that Mr. Rogers began his 
lifelong involvement with children's television, coproducing a 7-year 
run of ``The Children's Corner,'' which at the time was broadcast on 
the Nation's first community-sponsored educational television station, 
WQED in Pittsburgh. In addition to his duties as producer, Mr. Rogers 
also performed musical numbers for the show and manipulated the 
puppets. Such famous puppets as Daniel Striped Tiger, King Friday XIII, 
and Henrietta Pussycat from his show went on to live in what is perhaps 
the most famous neighborhood in the world, ``Mr. Rogers' 
Neighborhood.''
  From his early and humble start in February of 1968, Mr. Rogers and 
all of his neighbors have the distinction of being the longest-running 
program ever on PBS, with nearly 900 episodes and 33 seasons to their 
credit. Although not comfortable in the spotlight, Mr. Rogers 
nevertheless has received much well-deserved recognition for his 
efforts, including the distinction as being one of ``TV Guide's'' 50 
greatest TV stars of all time, four Emmys, and induction to the 
Television Hall of Fame. His messages of self-worth, respect, and 
understanding have long served as a calm refuge and important contrast 
in a world of children's television filled with frenetically paced and 
often violent cartoons.
  My friends, we have had more than our share of destruction, violence, 
and fear in these uncertain times. World events play out very 
differently in the eyes of a child, and in our rush to give voice to 
our own personal opinions on the happenings of the day, sometimes we 
overlook the importance of taking the time to explain issues to our 
children in a calm and easy manner and thus help ease the trepidations 
of a child growing up in today's world.
  Fred Rogers realized the importance of taking the time to communicate 
with children, a fact that was at the very heart of his goals and 
beliefs. Although he was an ordained Presbyterian minister, he never 
preached to his audience. But then again, he never had to. His message 
of unconditional love, peace, self-respect, and respect for one's 
neighbor is universal. He once said, ``When you are helping children 
feel safe, you are helping them use their energies for moving forward, 
toward a more hopeful future for themselves and for our society.''
  Mr. Rogers helped children confront difficult real-world issues such 
as divorce, disease, and adoption by listening to them and engaging 
them on these topics, by talking to them in a manner that respected a 
child's developing intellect. I truly hope that the important messages 
that Mr. Rogers shared with us and our children continue on for the 
next generation of future Congressmen and- women, and I am confident 
that his legacy will continue, as I have heard that PBS is encouraging 
all local PBS stations to continue running the rebroadcasts of ``Mr. 
Rogers' Neighborhood.'' His legacy will also continue in the works of 
the nonprofit organization founded by Mr. Rogers, Family 
Communications, Incorporated of Pittsburgh.
  In the words of Mr. Bill Isler, president of Family Communications,


[[Page 5064]]

       Mr. Rogers was a composer, minister, author, puppeteer, 
     brother, husband, father, grandfather and a friend to every 
     child in the entire human family. Those of us who worked with 
     Fred Rogers share both the privilege and responsibility of 
     continuing his work so that no child anywhere grows up 
     without being told, ``You are special.''

  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to leave you with something Mr. 
Rogers once said in regards to helping children understand and cope 
with terrible news events on television. He said:

       When I was a boy and would see scary things on the news, my 
     mother would say to me, `Look for the helpers. You always 
     find people who are helping.' To this day, that is where I 
     focus my attention, to the many caring people in this world.

  Our world lost one of the greatest and most caring helpers when Mr. 
Rogers was called home, but his teachings and messages have instilled 
in us the responsibility, duty, and ability to carry on his legacy by 
being one of the helpers that our children look for and need.
  Thank you, Mr. Rogers. We will always miss your special, caring way 
of helping and comforting us all. You will always be, for the children.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson).
  Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Rogers is someone that all Pennsylvanians were so proud of. Our 
hearts are sad today because of his leaving us, but he left behind a 
heritage that we are all so proud of and will always remember in such a 
wonderful fashion.
  I think in Pennsylvania, in western Pennsylvania, if you are 
traveling around today, at the Eat'n Park restaurants on their lighted 
signs, they say it all: ``Fred Rogers, we miss you.'' He studied 
childhood development at the University of Pittsburgh. Then he went on 
to be an ordained Presbyterian minister. His landmark show, ``Mr. 
Rogers' Neighborhood,'' inspired, taught and encouraged children, 
families and adults since its first nationwide broadcast on February 
19, 1968, with messages of love, peace and comfort.
  Mr. Rogers created over 200 of his own songs for his show, which 
always began in a comfortable family living room as he changed into his 
trademark cardigan sweater and sneakers, to encourage the healthy 
emotional growth of children and their families through imagination and 
friendship.
  He encouraged millions of children across the world to love 
themselves and their neighbors and to deal with complex emotional 
issues in a safe and reassuring way. On July 9, 2002, in recognition of 
the contributions of Mr. Rogers, President George W. Bush presented him 
with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony and 
said, ``Fred Rogers has proven that television can soothe the soul, 
nurture the spirit and teach the very young.'' We all know that does 
not happen on television every day on many programs, but it did on his.
  The final show of ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'' aired in August 2001 
after completing 33 television seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes. He 
was always called on whenever we faced a crisis in this country that 
would put fear in the hearts of children, September 11 the most recent. 
But he had a calmness and a kindness and a love that changed the 
atmosphere in any room he entered. Yes, as the Eat'n Park signs say 
today: ``Fred Rogers, we miss you.''
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle) 
and all Pennsylvanians and all people of good will throughout America 
as we pay tribute honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his dedication 
to creating a more compassionate, kind and loving world for children 
and adults. I quote:

     ``It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood,
     A beautiful day for a neighbor.
     Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

  While singing this simple refrain, Fred McFeely Rogers would change 
out of his sport coat and into his zip-up cardigan, slip off his dress 
shoes and slip on a pair of blue sneakers and become Mr. Rogers of 
``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.''
  ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'' was a daily whisper in children's ears. 
It whispered peace, serenity, honesty, comfort, and trust into small 
and developing ears that listened attentively about issues big and 
small. Mr. Rogers spoke to children about the virtues of civility, 
sharing, tolerance, obedience, and self-worth.

                              {time}  1500

  He talked with musicians, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, asking questions 
from a child's perspective, like how he learned to play the cello, had 
it been too big for him.
  As the creator and host of the popular television show, Rogers became 
one of America's most beloved figures. His evolution as a children's 
television personality began in the 1950's, many years before public TV 
station WQED in Pittsburgh produced the first ``Mister Rogers' 
Neighborhood.'' Rogers had been a puppeteer and voice character on the 
WQED show called ``The Children's Corner.''
  Fred Rogers made his first on-camera appearance in the 1960's while 
working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto. It was 
there that he produced a 15-minute daily program called 
``Misterogers.'' By the mid 1960's, the shows were lengthened to 30 
minutes and were moved to Pittsburgh. A Washington Post article on 
Rogers stated that ``Rogers often said he was guided by listening to 
children, discovering who they were and what was important in their 
lives. By providing answers to children's questions and addressing 
their uncertainties in their expanding world, he sought to aid their 
emotional development as individuals.''
  As the Nation stands on the brink of war and the threat of terrorism 
as a constant reminder of the cruel world in which we live, who is 
listening to the children and addressing their uncertainties? Who on 
national television will be that reassuring and calming presence for 
the next generation of children?
  On February 27, Fred Rogers, the gentle and soft-spoken host of 
``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' died of stomach cancer at his home in 
Pittsburgh at the age of 74. Rogers received four daytime Emmy awards, 
a Peabody award, a lifetime achievement award of the National Academy 
of Television and Sciences, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and more 
than two dozen honorary degrees for doing what too few of us have 
sought to do, make a commitment to enrich the lives of children. He was 
truly a gentle giant, and I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 111, 
``Honoring the Legacy of Fred Rogers.''
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart).
  Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues in thanks for the 
life of Fred Rogers, for the heart of Fred Rogers, and for the 
wonderful efforts of Fred Rogers throughout his lifetime, especially 
for the children of the world. I have the neighborhood trolly from his 
program with me, and I think it symbolized a large part of who Fred 
Rogers really was. He was a uniter in a world of dividers. He was a 
believer in a world of skeptics. He was kind in a world of cynics. Fred 
Rogers set the example that every parent probably wishes they could set 
for their children, one that says, I like you for who you are, no 
matter your differences, no matter your failings. As he used to say, 
``It's you that I like.'' He invited everybody to the neighborhood, Mr. 
McFreely, others, the king, the queen, all the funny little characters 
that children grew to love over the years, and interestingly enough, I 
am of the generation who enjoyed Fred Rogers as children and now our 
children are enjoying Fred Rogers, and hopefully through television 
generations to come will be able to enjoy and come to love Fred Rogers 
as we all did.
  His loss is a great loss. His mission was a great mission. Where so 
many seek riches in this world, Fred Rogers sought to teach people to 
love and he

[[Page 5065]]

succeeded. He leaves a legacy of love, of goodness, of kindness again 
in a world that lacks that all too often. I am fortunate to have lived 
in Pittsburgh and to have met Fred Rogers several times. Unfortunately, 
I did not get to know him terribly well. He was the kind of man one did 
not have to know terribly well to understand, to take a little bit of 
him with one as they went about their day.
  I have three nieces and a nephew who now benefit from Fred Rogers and 
from his message and his love. I hope that we will all carry that with 
us through our trials and our difficulties throughout our lives and 
remember when we meet somebody, to think ``there is something about you 
that I like.''
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to add this final quote from Fred Rogers. He said, ``We 
live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to 
say `it's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my 
problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider 
those people my heroes.''
  Mr. Rogers has been a hero to us all.
  I urge the adoption of this measure, House Resolution 111.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a mother and as a 
grandmother to honor Fred McFeely Rogers, known to millions of children 
and their parents simply as ``Mister Rogers.''
  Since first broadcasting ``Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' on 
Pittsburgh's public television station in 1966, Mister Rogers brought 
his message that ``everybody's special'' to children and adults around 
the world. Fred Rogers spoke to thousands of children every day, gently 
teaching each of them about the importance of acceptance--acceptance of 
others and acceptance of themselves. No matter what challenge children 
face in their lives it is always ``a beautiful day in the 
neighborhood'' that Mr. Rogers created for them.
  Mister Rogers also acted as a role model for parents, suggesting 
creative ways for parents to listen--and to listen--to their children. 
Fred Rogers did not rely on fast-paced cuts and high-budget thrills to 
keep a child's attention. He wrote the scripts, was the host, operated 
the puppets, and even wrote the songs for each show. Mister Rogers' 
formula for making kids care about what he had to say was to listen to 
them.
  Mister Rogers' co-workers at PBS honored his memory by carrying on 
his work. They quickly updated his website to offer advice to parents 
on how they can constructively talk to their children about his death. 
We can all honor his memory in much the same way: by carrying on his 
message, ``There's only one person in the world like to you,'' and then 
respecting those differences that make each of us so unique.
  My condolences go out to Fred Rogers' family and I thank him for his 
work to improve the lives of children.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the legacy of Fred 
Rogers, the man loved by generations of children for his many years as 
television's ``Mr. Rogers.'' Perhaps no other American has done as much 
to foster the public's interest in child education and advocacy. He 
touched the lives of millions of children during his show's 33 seasons 
on the air, and I feel privileged to honor his life here today. I thank 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania for bringing this resolution to the 
floor.
  For 33 years Mr. Rogers invited America into his living room and gave 
us a tour of his neighborhood. Mr. Rogers infused his world with a 
creative mixture of fact and fiction, introducing his young viewers to 
both the real world and a world of make believe. Children saw the 
insides of bakeries, police stations and glass-blowing factories. 
Meanwhile, they also learned the values of sharing, compassion, and 
community from the puppets who became characters in their daily 
imaginary lives. Fred Rogers showed us that not only is education 
important; it can also be fun.
  On July 9, 2002, President Bush awarded Mr. Rogers the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom. I call on this body to offer its recognition of the 
life of a man whose personal mission to improve the lives of children 
made a difference in all of our lives.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time 
to express my condolences to the family, friends and millions of 
children who have been influenced by the lovely man, Fred Rogers. He 
passed away on February 27, 2003, but this in no way means that his 
teachings and influence will end here.
  Fred Rogers, known best as Mr. Rogers, with his safe neighborhood, 
was instrumental in teaching children for decades. He encouraged 
learning in innovative way through his TV show. Young children adored 
this man, his empathic lessons of being nice to your neighbor, and 
helped children enter school ready to learn and ask questions.
  Fred Rogers taught our children how to make this world more 
compassionate, kind and loving. We remember him as someone who brought 
out the positive side of television, using it as a vehicle to teach 
children basic skills.
  Mr. Rogers had a worldwide appeal for children, and many of his 
lessons preached tolerance and acceptance for those around you that may 
initially appear different. He used gentle themes and a friendly voice 
to convey his messages. Mr. Rogers had the ability to express his ideas 
and children were able to act on in their homes and lives. Such an 
example and contributor to American television deserves our utmost 
praise. My own children, Erica and Jason, were drawn to Mr. Rogers' 
knowledge and kindly approach--they learned alot!
  I am a proud supporter of House Resolution 111, to honor his legacy. 
I do offer my most sincere condolences to his wife, Joanne, their two 
sons and two grandsons. Fred Rogers is certainly worthy of this honor.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, in a world where too often 
neighbors have become strangers, the meaning of ``Love thy neighbor'' 
has dwindled. Fred Rogers never lost that spirit. He accepted us into 
his neighborhood, into his home, and presented our children with a 
message that you should be loved for who you are.
  ``The whole idea,'' said Mr. Rogers, ``is to look at the television 
camera and present as much love as you possibly could to a person who 
needs it.''
  Fred Rogers recognized the power of television to carry out that 
message of caring, and become involved in children's broadcasting 
during its infancy. In the early 1950s he began working in public 
television at WQED, the first community public television station in 
the nation. On his lunch breaks, he attended Pittsburgh Theological 
Seminary and graduated magna cum laude with the Class of 1962 with his 
Master's in Divinity. The day after graduation he was called to Canada 
to begin MISTEROGERS, the show that would evolve into Mister Rogers' 
Neighborhood on his return to Pittsburgh a year later.
  Mr. Rogers' teaching did not end at the close of each broadcast, or 
even when he left the studio. Through Family Communications, Inc., Fred 
Rogers was able to foster girls' involvement in math and science, 
educate children about the dangers of prejudice, and teach pre-
schoolers anger management. Through Safe Havens Training Project, Mr. 
Rogers was able to educate childcare workers on how to deal with 
children that witnessed violence, proving them a place where they could 
feel safe.
  Fred Rogers also remained active in the ministry, educating a new 
generation of ministers at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Summer 
Youth Institute. Mr. Rogers would spend an afternoon with the 
teenagers, hoping to impart to them the importance of the doctrine of 
love and caring that he had made the center of his life.
  Mr. Rogers was a teacher, an educator, and a presence in many of our 
children's lives. The neighborhood will miss him.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 111.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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