[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20332]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING BOB McGRATH FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL 
                          CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2005

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bob 
McGrath for his commitment to educating and entertaining children and 
for his contributions to the International Children's Festival.
  Mr. McGrath is most often referred to as ``Bob on Sesame Street'' 
where he has performed for 34 years, but he is also an accomplished 
musician and successful author. He began his professional career 
singing and recording with the Robert Shaw Chorale and Fred Waring's 
Pennsylvanians. He later spent five years as the featured tenor soloist 
on Mitch Miller's series, ``Sing Along With Mitch'', and traveled to 
Japan to expand his resume ultimately resulting in a career that has 
afforded him the opportunity to appear with over 100 symphony 
orchestras. His successful children's albums have sold over half a 
million copies, and some have received recognition from the Parents' 
Choice Award and the American Library Association. He has also utilized 
his talent by writing children's books. For example, Oops! Excuse Me 
Please! And Other Mannerly Tales has educated countless children about 
the importance of manners. Mr. McGrath's other books have effectively 
taught children life skills, and most have received tremendous acclaim.
  Among his many professional accomplishments, Mr. McGrath has 
dedicated his time to serve as Chairperson of National UNICEF day, host 
of the United National celebration for the ``Rights of the Child'', and 
host for World Children's Day at the UN General Assembly. Most notably, 
he has generously acted as host and consultant for seventeen 
consecutive years for the International Children's Festival held in 
Vienna, Virginia. Each year the International Children's Festival is 
produced by the Arts Council of Fairfax County in cooperation with the 
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the National Park 
Service. Since 1971, the Festival has allowed children from all over 
the world to come together and share cultural traditions through the 
international language of the arts. Much of the success of the Festival 
can be attributed to Mr. McGrath's efforts and expertise.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Mr. McGrath for his 
continued support of the International Children's Festival. I call upon 
my colleagues to join me in recognizing his accomplishments, and wish 
him the best of luck in all future endeavors.

                          ____________________