[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15570]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING KIMBERLY ROADS SCHLAPMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 9, 2013

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this 
opportunity to recognize the talent, hard work, and determination of 
Kimberly Roads Schlapman, a lifelong resident of Habersham County, 
Georgia. Millions of fans know Kimberly as one of the beautiful, strong 
voices behind the country group Little Big Town. But many folks in 
Northeast Georgia were touched by Kimberly's musical abilities, as well 
as her commitment to her community, long before her rise to stardom.
  During high school, Kimberly contributed her time as a candy striper 
at the Habersham County Medical Center. She was a member of Youth 
Against Cancer, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Student 
Advisory Board for Community Bank and Trust, the Key Club, the Y Club, 
and the Student Council. Kimberly also served as vice president of her 
senior class.
  Kimberly was also actively developing her musical skills during this 
time. She was a member of the Habersham Central High School Chorus. She 
was also part of the Habersham Central Concert Choir. She was selected 
to sing in the Georgia Allstate Choir for five consecutive years and 
was one of six sopranos selected to study vocal music in the Georgia 
Governor's Honors Program.
  While performing in the Habersham Community Theater and other special 
events in the community, she was selected to represent her state and 
region in numerous talent competitions. Kimberly's hard work paid off 
with great success, as she won first place in the National Beta Club 
competition as well as the International Key Club Convention.
  Kimberly continued pursuing music when she enrolled at Samford 
University in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was a member of the 
Samford Singers and the Lake Junaluska Singers. Through these groups, 
she found a friend in Karen Fairchild. That relationship helped lead to 
the formation of Little Big Town.
  In its 14 years together, Little Big Town has played before more than 
4 million people. Last year, they achieved its first #1 radio hit with 
the song ``Pontoon.'' The song came from the band's fifth album, 
Tornado, which was recently received platinum certification with sales 
of over one million copies. Little Big Town was recently honored with 
two CMA awards, two ACM awards, a Grammy award, and an Emmy award.
  Georgians are truly proud of all Kimberly's achievements, both on and 
off the stage. I join many others in wishing Kimberly and her family 
the very best.

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