[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 118]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROGER WILLIAMS

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President. I rise today to pay special tribute to 
America's pre-eminent, piano-playing patriot, Mr. Roger Williams. Roger 
is to American music what the Grand Canyon is to the American 
landscape.
  Roger has enjoyed decades of success and the title ``Pianist to the 
Presidents,'' because he has had the honor to perform for eight of our 
Nation's Commanders In Chief. In 2004, Roger celebrated his birthday 
alongside Jimmy Carter because the two share the exact same birth date.
  Despite his advancing years, Roger's ivory-tickling fingers continue 
to thrill audiences. In November, he broke his own record for marathon 
piano-playing with a 14-hour performance at Steinway Hall in New York 
City. The marathon was to raise awareness of the importance of music 
education and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his classic, 
``Autumn Leaves.'' This song is the only piano instrumental that has 
ever reached No. 1 on the Billboard singles charts.
  According to Billboard Magazine, Roger is the greatest-selling 
pianist of all time, with 18 Gold and Platinum albums to his credit. He 
is the first pianist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 
and is--so far--the only recipient of the Steinway Lifetime Achievement 
Award. Williams has played the music for soundtracks to films of three 
generations and in 2004 he released his 116th album. His records ``Born 
Free,'' ``The Impossible Dream,'' ``Almost Paradise,'' and the theme 
from ``Somewhere in Time'' are only some of his hits, which span 4 
decades.
  Not only a virtuoso, Roger is also a man of great virtue. He is a 
champion of music education in all schools and California Governor 
Arnold Schwarzen-
egger named him ``Champion for Youth 2004.'' Roger regularly donates 
his time and talent to charitable efforts and non-profit organizations, 
including spots on the televised ``Hour of Power'' ministry since 1974.
  I am grateful that I had the privilege of friendship with Roger 
Williams. He is a great man, a superlative musician, and a true 
American. As a musician myself, albeit one who is fairly low on the 
pecking order, I commend Roger for his talent, hard work, and 
dedication to his craft. His music will continue to bless the lives of 
literally millions for generations.

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