[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15491-15492]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF ``OLD MOTHER 
                              WEST WIND''

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                           HON. BILL DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th 
anniversary of the publication of ``Old Mother West Wind,'' the 
hallmark nature book penned by author and naturalist Thornton W. 
Burgess. The first of over 150 nature books and 15,000 stories, 
Burgess' ``Old Mother Wind'' introduced children to a wide variety of 
local animals, their habits, and habitats. These engaging stories of 
the natural world have helped generations of children gain a greater 
understanding of the timeless importance of conservation of our natural 
resources and a love of wildlife.
  A native of Sandwich, Massachusetts, Thornton Burgess (1875-1965) 
went on to achieve national and international recognition for these 
children's stories and his monumental leadership and initiatives in 
preserving our Nation's natural heritage. For 100 years, generations of 
children throughout the world have grown up with Old Mother West Wind. 
Her Merry Little Breezes skipping across the meadows, Peter Rabbit and 
his animal friends--including Jimmy Skunk, Grandfather Frog, Johnny 
Chuck, Sammy Jay, Reddy Fox, Hooty Owl, and many others--continue today 
to both regale and teach us about our natural surroundings.
  These characters have become friends to children and adults alike. 
Their antics, questions of ``why'' and ``how,'' and their love for one 
another, demonstrate and teach the value of our natural heritage. They 
stimulate and fascinate children's interests in the natural world, all 
the while constantly reminding parents and adults of the importance of 
preserving and conserving our natural heritage for future generations.
  Thornton W. Burgess' work is continued today through the non-profit 
Thornton W. Burgess Society, headquartered in his native town of 
Sandwich. As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of ``Old Mother 
West Wind,'' I salute the Thornton W. Burgess Society for its 
preservation of the writings, teachings, and memorabilia of a pioneer 
environmentalist; its mission of inspiring reverence of wildlife and 
concern for the natural environment; for its operation of the Thornton 
W. Burgess Museum, Green Briar Nature Center and Shirley G. Cross 
Wildflower Garden, and the many programs and exhibits it provides in 
conjunction with their operation; and its 34 years of promoting the 
study of the natural sciences and environmental education in the 
schools of Cape Cod and throughout southeastern Massachusetts.

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