[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13253-13254]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DAVID HEARN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2007

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements 
of one of my constituents, David Hearn, who will retire this month 
after almost 46 years as the organist for St. Paul's Lutheran Church 
here in the District of Columbia.
  For more than four decades, Mr. Hearn has graced the congregation of 
St. Paul's and this city with classical and religious music including 
hymns, spirituals, and music from other lands.

[[Page 13254]]

  Mr. Hearn's love of church music was influenced early by his mother, 
a singer and choir director, as well as his father who had a fine tenor 
voice. He earned a music degree from Ashland University in Ohio and a 
graduate degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He 
also completed summer courses at Oberlin College and Baldwin Wallace 
Conservatory in Ohio.
  After a stint in the Army, Mr. Hearn came to the Washington area when 
offered a teaching contract in the Montgomery County school system. 
While there, he taught in all grades and eventually became Choral 
Director and Head of the Music Department at Wheaton High School. Under 
his direction, the choir performed in many local venues, including St. 
Paul's. They also traveled widely and were honored to sing a Sunday 
morning service at Old North Church in Boston during the Bicentennial 
year celebrations. The Madrigal singers also sang in Montreal, Boston, 
and Washington Cathedral.
  When Mr. Hearn became Music Director at St. Paul's on a snowy Sunday 
morning many years ago, he played a small Hammond organ in the chancel 
of the church. As the church grew and prospered, Mr. Hearn led the 
effort by the church to acquire the impressive Shantz pipe organ that 
today attracts prominent organists from around the country for 
recitals.
  In addition to directing the St. Paul's choir and participating in 
services for decades, Mr. Hearn has hosted innumerable choirs and solo 
artists at St. Paul's for performances that have touched the lives of 
countless District residents. He has placed a special emphasis on 
developing the talents of gifted young singers and musicians and 
providing them with an opportunity to perform for appreciative 
audiences.
  Mr. Hearn has spent decades enriching the cultural and religious life 
of District residents. I am pleased to join the congregation of St. 
Paul's Lutheran Church in recognizing Mr. Hearn's service to his church 
and contributions to our community as he begins a well deserved 
retirement.

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