[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13688-13689]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATIONS TO LANDAU EUGENE MURPHY, JR.

  (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, America has voted. The Nation voted for a 
winning combination of humility, hard work, a lifelong dream, and 
finely tuned talent. Today, I join with my friends and colleagues from 
Logan County, West Virginia, in congratulating Landau Eugene Murphy, 
Jr., this year's winner of NBC Television's ``America's Got Talent.''
  Landau's journey is a true American success story. Coming from humble 
beginnings, he worked hard, never lost faith in his Lord, and always 
remained determined to pursue his dream.
  I believe what Landau accomplished last night should stand as an 
example to every young person throughout this great Nation. He has 
shown them that they should always set their goals high and work until 
they get there; and indeed, if you should take some blows, just let the 
record show you did it your way.
  I send my very best to Landau, his lovely wife, Jennifer, and their 
family as they begin this new and exciting journey in their lives. I 
know that Landau remains as humble today as he was when he first took 
the stage at the Logan County Arts and Crafts Fair's annual talent show 
some years ago.
  I commend the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, the Hatfield-McCoy 
Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Diana Barnette, and all the fine 
folks at Fountain Place Cinema 8 in Logan, West Virginia, for their 
support of their hometown hero. As we have always done in West 
Virginia, we stand behind and support our own, and the work these 
organizations and individuals have done is phenomenal. Undoubtedly, 
their efforts were instrumental in Landau's victory.

[[Page 13689]]

  Mr. Murphy accepted his victory with the high fives of his 
competition--the hallmark of good sportsmanship. Throughout the weeks 
of competition, he often spoke of his respect, compassion, and 
friendship with his opponents--a timely lesson for us all.
  I hope my colleagues will congratulate all those whose talent carried 
them to the final weeks of a long competition. I thank America for 
recognizing a true talent in this fine son of West Virginia. 
Thankfully, we will be hearing a lot from him in the many years to 
come.

                          ____________________