[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21558]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MS. GRETCHEN WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Grammy Award winner and country music recording 
artist, Ms. Gretchen Wilson, as she receives the 2009 National 
Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award at The Library of Congress. 
Gretchen is being recognized by the National Coalition for Literacy and 
the Center for the Book for her contributions to the advancement of 
adult education and literacy.
  Until recently, the multi-platinum acclaimed singer/songwriter was 
one of millions of Americans who had not finished their high school 
education. Ms. Wilson left high school to pursue her music career; she 
has since had three #1 albums. Last year at the age of 34, Gretchen 
earned her G.E.D. Her friend and mentor, Charlie Daniels, was guest 
speaker at her graduation ceremony at the First Baptist Church in 
Lebanon, TN.
  As a mother, it was important for Gretchen to lead by example and 
demonstrate to her eight-year-old daughter, Grace, just how important 
it is to have an education. Gretchen is currently teaming up with the 
Dollar General Literacy Foundation to honor GED students and 
organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy.
  Ms. Wilson has won Female Vocalist of the Year from both the Country 
Music Association and the Academy of Country Music and a Grammy Award 
for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. She also had her first book 
and autobiography, ``Redneck Woman: Stories from My Life,'' appear on 
the New York Times Best Seller List.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Gretchen on her hard work, resilience, 
and many notable achievements and ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing her dedication and contributions to adult education and 
literacy awareness.

                          ____________________