[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19865-19866]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS ATTRACTION ON ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize one of Florida's most distinguished natural and cultural 
treasures. Weeki Wachee Springs will be celebrating its 60th 
anniversary from July 27-29. This famous attraction is a rich part of 
Florida's heritage, showcasing 60 years of one of a kind ``mermaid'' 
shows, as well as outdoor recreational opportunities, including river 
cruises, nature trails, canoeing, kayaking, and a water park.
  Weeki Wachee got its start as a Florida phenomenon in 1946, when 
Newton Perry, a retired World War II Navy diving instructor,

[[Page 19866]]

recognized the site's potential as a unique tourist attraction. The 
Seminole Indians gave ``Weeki Wachee'' its name, which means ``little 
spring'' or ``winding river'' in their language. The spring, which is 
so deep that the bottom has never been found, bubbles with crystal-
clear water from the pristine Floridan Aquifer and maintains a year-
round temperature of 72 degrees.
  Perry invented a method of breathing underwater through a tube that 
allowed performers to move freely without cumbersome SCUBA equipment. 
He built a theater into the limestone, submerged below the surface of 
the water, so viewers could look right into the natural beauty of the 
ancient spring. The first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater 
theater featured women dressed as mermaids performing underwater 
synchronized ballet. It opened on October 13, 1947, one day before 
Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier.
  When Weeki Wachee was purchased by ABC in 1959, its popularity began 
to skyrocket. More than half a million people came to visit the spring 
each year, and girls came from as far a way as Tokyo to audition as 
mermaids. Celebrities including Don Knotts, Esther Williams, Arthur 
Godfry and Elvis Presley all came to Weeki Wachee.
  While the park continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, 
Weeki Wachee will forever be remembered as one of Florida's first and 
finest attractions. Weeki Wachee is a showcase of the superb natural 
beauty and friendly atmosphere that continues to attract so many to our 
great State.

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