[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8524]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JOHN WILLIAM ``BLIND'' BOONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2010

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late 
John William ``Blind'' Boone, famed ragtime musician and a proud son of 
Missouri. It is my honor and privilege to participate in the 
celebration and observance of Boone's birthday, Monday, May 17, 2010. I 
would also like to recognize the members of the John William ``Blind'' 
Boone Heritage Foundation, who plan to restore and preserve the home 
where ``Blind'' Boone lived in Columbia, Missouri, coinciding with his 
birthday.
  John William Boone was born on May 17, 1864, in the midst of the 
Civil War. Soon after his birth, he was diagnosed with a life-
threatening illness that doctors referred to as a ``brain fever.'' 
Doctors believed the only chance for survival would come through a 
radical operation that would end the brain swelling; they would have to 
remove his eyes.
  The procedure was a success and would alter the course of his life. 
Boone faced much adversity but soldiered through. His musical talents 
were noticed early on, and he would later become one of the legendary 
musicians of his era, with a classical repertoire, which included folk 
music, religious songs and, most famously, ragtime. In 1912, he was 
contacted by the QRS Piano Roll Company and became one of the first 
African American artists to cut piano rolls.
  Music allowed Boone to cross many racial boundaries and brought him 
all over the world, bringing diverse audiences together. Boone enjoyed 
an illustrious career and spent the remainder of his life in Columbia, 
Missouri.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
acknowledging John William ``Blind'' Boone and his contributions to the 
arts.

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