[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO PAT BOONE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the legendary singer, 
actor and author Pat Boone of Nashville, Tennessee, for his 75th 
birthday on June 1. I want to take a moment to recognize his tremendous 
accomplishments and thank him for all he has contributed to Tennessee, 
our country and across the world.
  Pat continues to give back to the community through charitable and 
educational organizations. For 32 years, he has played a significant 
role in the growth and success of Bethel Bible Village, a residential 
group home in my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, that provides a 
happy, healthy and godly environment for children of families in 
crisis. Through golf tournaments, banquets and auctions, Pat has helped 
raise more than $2.7 million for this ministry and the families it 
serves.
  Before graduating from Columbia University in 1958, Pat had already 
signed a multi-million dollar recording contract and had various 
television and movie deals, including hosting The Pat Boone Chevy Show. 
Through the course of his successful career, Pat started two record 
companies and released more than 30 Gold Record albums, including 
``Ain't That a Shame,'' which climbed the charts to number one in 1955. 
He is the Billboard number ten all-time top record artist and a member 
of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
  Pat's writings are as well known as his entertainment and have been 
translated into multiple languages, allowing people across the world to 
read his works. His first book, Twixt Twelve and Twenty, was a number-
one bestseller in the 1950s and can now be found in school and church 
libraries across the nation. Pat Boone has proven himself an inspiring 
and successful writer, authoring more than 15 books.
  Pat has served as the National Spokesman for the March of Dimes, the 
National Association of the Blind and other worthy charities. As the 
Entertainment Chairman of the National Easter Seal telethon, Pat helped 
raise over $600 million dollars to help handicapped children and 
adults. He currently is helping build a worldwide Internet ``blood 
bank'' to help solve the recurring blood shortages in certain parts of 
the world.
  Pat and his wife of 55 years, Shirley, initiated Mercy Corps, one of 
the most respected humanitarian relief organizations in the world. What 
started as a small relief effort in Cambodia, now operates in more than 
22 countries and delivers millions of dollars in food and basic 
necessities to those in need.
  Pat Boone is an accomplished man of integrity, loyalty and 
outstanding leadership. He has positively shaped our community in 
Chattanooga, providing hope and encouragement to a generation of 
children at Bethel Bible Village and I am proud to recognize his 
accomplishments.

                          ____________________