Congressional Record—Senate S2503
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April 14, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2503 Wisconsin’s architects while providing Fred Barnes, John cofounded the Week- of music, they became the first inter- educational, public awareness and ad- ly Standard, a conservative opinion racial duo to play bluegrass—pre- vocacy opportunities. Wisconsin archi- journal which he still writes for today senting many live performances and tects are at the forefront of tech- as a movie critic. Over the years, the radio shows until 1951, when both began nology, keeping abreast of energy effi- Standard has become more than just their service in the U.S. military. cient solutions that they integrate into required reading for conservative This duo remains to this day, histori- their designs. These innovations help thinkers—it is read by policy and opin- cally, our only interracial bluegrass Wisconsin communities become more ion makers of all political stripes, and duo. Although Mr. Meyers passed away sustainable and livable, a goal we can it has enormous reach inside the Belt- in 2000, Al Hawkes—now in his 80s, con- all agree on. way and well beyond. Thanks to John’s tinues to be involved in the bluegrass Further, I am pleased to commend contributions, the Standard has be- movement. Fortunately for all of us, AIA Wisconsin for its community in- come, Well, a standard of political the bluegrass duo’s recordings have volvement. Wisconsin AIA provides thought leadership. been preserved forever by Bear Family educational opportunities through or- John followed in his father’s foot- Records which has provided the Na- ganized programs, public lectures, ar- steps by becoming editor of Com- tion’s audience with a compact disc re- chitectural competitions and edu- mentary magazine, a profoundly influ- cording containing 70 minutes and 27 cational summer camps in our state. I ential journal that seamlessly tackles tracks of this special part of our Amer- am confident that AIA Wisconsin will the most pressing questions on polit- ican musical heritage. Furthermore, Al continue to provide these opportunities ical, social and cultural issues. In 2007, has been joined by several friends in and creative design solutions to create he launched the magazine’s widely read compiling a CD to benefit research a green economy in Wisconsin. and respected blog, Contentions, bring- combating Parkinson’s disease, which On behalf of our State and Nation, I ing Commentary into the new age of is forthcoming. thank AIA Wisconsin for a century of media. Just as he did with the Stand- Al continues to live in Maine and has work that has connected and improved ard, John continues to prove at Com- amassed a very valuable collection of Wisconsin’s architects, creating the mentary that ideas are powerful. American bluegrass and country re- landmarks we have come to recognize John is unafraid to challenge conven- cordings. He has been recognized by the as part of our great State’s heritage.∑ tional wisdom and he is an unabashed International Bluegrass Music Museum f defender of the values that make our as one of the pioneers in bluegrass at a country great: freedom, democracy, ceremony in Owensboro, KY. Al’s his- TRIBUTE TO JOHN PODHORETZ human dignity, and economic oppor- torical legacy is contained in a docu- ∑ Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, tunity. On top of all that, based on mentary entitled ‘‘The Eventful Life of today I wish to congratulate John watching and listening to him on that Al Hawkes,’’ which also recently aired Podhoretz, who next week will reach great day in August 2006 when his dear six times on Maine’s Public Broad- one of life’s momentous, and too often friend, Jacob Wisse, married my daugh- casting Network. His famous remark dreaded, milestones: turning 50 years of ter, Becca Lieberman, John Podhoretz about his musical history—that he be- age. John is today best known for his is a surprisingly impressive dancer and lieves there is a ‘‘bluegrass gene’’ work as editor of Commentary maga- singer! which he inherited—seems to reflect in zine and for his regular column in the So, Mr. President, I congratulate his additional musical accomplish- New York Post, but these activities John on 50 years well done. He has ments, playing with other bluegrass only scratch the surface of his career. enormous personality, a great sense of and country stars throughout the years While, God willing, John has many humor, and a lovely family. I wish and being the recipient of 25 awards in more years ahead of him and much left them happiness on this occasion. John, the musical lexicon. to do here, I believe this milestone is Happy Birthday!∑ Beyond bluegrass, Al’s deep-seated an opportune moment to reflect upon f Maine legacy revolves around a huge his many unique and influential con- sign of a repairman which, to this day, tributions to publishing, punditry, po- TRIBUTE TO AL HAWKES is a famous landmark in southern litical thought, and pop culture. ∑ Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I fre- Maine. As a small business entre- Given his iconic lineage, it comes as quently come to the floor to speak preneur who ran both a TV repair and no surprise to me that John has accom- about a Maine small business that has dry cleaning business in the note- plished so much in his first five dec- done remarkable things in its commu- worthy Hawkes Plaza, Al actually ades. He was born of two intellectual nity, or a business owner who has made made and installed the famous icon giants, Norman Podhoretz and Midge a lasting impression on his or her com- sign of the 13-foot high repairman who Decter, and grew up on Manhattan’s pany’s employees. Today, I wish to rec- once sported 385 light bulbs, fluores- Upper West Side. He studied at the ognize a Maine entrepreneur who has cent lights and moving parts which University of Chicago, graduated from an inspiring life story that many have gave the illusion of a walking repair- there in 1981, and then settled in Wash- never heard. It is with great pride that man. To residents’ delight, the sign— ington, DC, to begin his promising ca- I introduce to you a very special Maine although no longer sporting the cre- reer. resident and lifelong musician, Mr. ative lights or moving parts—still re- He served as speechwriter to Presi- Allerton Hawkes, whose amazing con- mains a treasure which sustains gener- dents Reagan and George H.W. Bush tributions to Maine’s small business ational memories, nearly 50 years after and as special assistant to White House community and to the entire Nation’s Al built it in 1962. Indeed, Maine’s drug czar, William Bennett. An accom- bluegrass legacy know no bounds. unique character has thus been sup- plished journalist and writer, John has Mr. Hawkes was born on Christmas ported by Al’s wonderful inventiveness contributed to the Washington Times, Day, 1930, in the city of Providence, RI. on several fronts throughout the years. the New York Post, US News & World Soon thereafter, when Al was 10, his Al Hawkes is truly a Maine and na- Report, and the American Spectator. family returned to the southern Maine tional treasure whose inheritance of He is a refreshing critic of film and city of Westbrook to live on an old that special ‘‘bluegrass gene’’ has pro- popular culture, and he once dabbled in family farm. As a young teenager in vided us all with the rich and enter- entertainment as a consultant to the the 1940s, Al began listening to blue- taining joy and privilege of listening to popular political fiction show ‘‘The grass music by tuning in to remote great, distinctive American music. I West Wing.’’ He is even a five-time Southern music radio stations, and he am proud that Al has chosen to stay in champion of the hit trivia game show was determined to play several Maine, and has led such a distinguished ‘‘Jeopardy!’’ stringed instruments often associated and varied career, from small business John is what I would call an ‘‘idea with bluegrass. He soon became friend owner and entrepreneurs, to pioneering entrepreneur.’’ He understands that with a man named Alton Meyers, and accomplished musician. I wish Al ideas have consequences and knows whom he met scavenging through all the best, and thank him for his out- how to spread those ideas near and far. record bins at a used furniture store in standing contributions to our Nation’s In 1995, together with Bill Kristol and Portland. Because of their shared love cultural life.∑ VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:06 Oct 29, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD11\RECFILES\S14AP1.REC S14AP1 bjneal on DSK2TWX8P1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S2504 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2011 REMEMBERING JOSE S. CHAVEZ ing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, As an Oregonian, I could not be more ∑ Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. 1941, Edgar immediately volunteered proud of Edgar, his wonderful story, President, the State of New Mexico for the military. At first he was told he and his life’s work. He truly is a hero lost a great man on March 17, 2011, would be more valuable to the Nation and embodies the best of our State. As when Jose S. Chavez passed away at if he returned to his engineer studies, our Nation continues to struggle in the age of 93. He was a man who served but the call to action was too strong. conflicts overseas, Edgar serves as a our country proudly during World War By June 1942 he received a commission testament to the belief that sometime II and was a survivor of the Bataan in the U.S.