February 21, 1991 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 4141 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS TRffiUTE TO GLORIA GARY THE USPS: AN UNNATURAL star, queen of country comedy and a national LAWLAH MONOPOLY treasure-Mrs. Sarah Cannon, better known as Cousin Minnie Pearl. HON. PHIUP M. CRANE Cousin Minnie made her first appearance on HON. C. THOMAS McMDliN OF ILLINOIS the Grand Ole Opry in November 1940. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Today, more than 50 years later, she is known OF MARYLAND Thursday, February 21, 1991 and loved throughout the world. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES "Howdeeeee, I'm just so proud to be here!" Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, although the Unit­ Everyone knows that greeting signals the ar­ Thursday, February 21, 1991 ed States was built and continues to thrive on rival of Cousin Minnie Pearl. Mr. MCMILLEN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I the shoulders of capitalism, a major service, The Nashville Banner newspaper recently rise today to express my appreciation for the reaching all Americans, is protected by Fed­ did a series of special stories outlining Cousin eral law from the very force that has made this important contributions that African-Americans Minnie's long and illustrious career. The de­ country the envy of world markets-competi­ scriptions of Cousin Minnie shared by her have made to America's political development. tion. In 1980, the Hunt brothers tried to corner The Honorable Hiram Revels of Mississippi friends and colleagues in the newspaper indi­ the silver market and only a few years ago did cate just how special she is: became the first black to serve in Congress Ma Bell dissolve her privilege as the matriarch when he took his seat in the Senate on Fel:r Chet Atkins: "I've learned so much from her of long distance. But by far the most dishonor­ down through the years. She just has so much ruary 25, 1870. Joseph Rainey of South Caro­ able monopoly in U.S. history is the one vest­ class." lina became the first black Member of the ed in the hands of our Government under the Hank Snow: "Minnie has always been a House of Representatives when he took the guise of the U.S. Postal Service. Americans powerhouse. She's always been a strong lady. oath of office on December 12, 1870. Today, are forced to accept the USPS's sluggish de­ She's always been there to help. She's a in the 102d Congress, there are 26 African­ livery, constant reduction in services, and woman we're all proud of and we all love her Americans serving. postage rate hikes which have risen 33 per­ very much." When the Maryland General Assembly cent faster than the rate of inflation. Moans Pee Wee King: "One of the secrets of her began its 397th session in Annapolis, there are heard again at the USPS's recent pro­ success is her sincerity and her concern. She were seven African-Americans serving in the posal to add four cents more to the cost of always has a kind word for everybody." senate. The seventh member was recently sending a letter to your grandmother, payment Hank Williams, Jr.: "Minnie Pearl put the elected, November 6, 1990, as the first Afri­ to your utility company, or a note to a friend. 'Grand' in Grand Ole Opry, cause she's the can-American woman from Prince Georges The time has come to abolish this monopoly grandest lady of all and I love her sincerely." County to serve in the Maryland Senate. She and to stop cheating American consumers out Hal Durham, (Grand Old Opry general man­ of efficient service and reasonable postal follows an outstanding woman who has made ager): "Her achievement in country comedy is costs. It is for the above reasons that I favor contributions to the State of Maryland, State astonishing. She came to what was essentially privatization of the post office and am reintro­ a country music show and made comedy a big Senator Verda F. Welcome, Legislative District ducing a bill to accomplish this goal by giving 40, who served from 1963 to 1982. Mrs. Glo­ part of the Grand Old Opry. It is a different the employees full ownership of the corpora­ and better show today because of what she ria Lawlah is the second African-American tion. woman elected to the Maryland State Senate contributed." My solution is simple and straightforward. These are but a few of the accolades from in 8 years. Under this legislation, all assets of the post of­ Minnie's peers. They are certainly indicative of Mrs. Lawlah was elected to the Democratic fice would be given to a corporation owned by the influence she has had on generations of Central Committee in 1982 to represent the the employees by establishing an employee performers and others whose lives she has 26th Legislative District. In 1984, Senator stock ownership plan [ESOP] which will trans­ touched. Lawlah, as an elected official, was appointed fer stock to the employees. Regulations will 1 can personally attest to the warmth, as an alternate delegate to the Democratic assure that rural service and general perform­ charm, sincerity, and selflessness of Cousin National Convention in San Francisco. She ance standards exceed current levels. The Minnie Pearl. I first became acquainted with cofounded the Prince Georges County Chap­ new firm will be given a 5-year grace period this dear lady when I was a mere 9 or 10 ter of the National Political Congress of Black during which it will face no competition, giving years old. She and her husband Henry Can­ Women and currently serves on the national it time to get its feet on the ground. There­ non, were friends with my late father, Frank G. board of directors. Lawlah has diligently de­ after, the monopoly will be abolished and free Clement, who was a former Governor of Ten­ voted her time and attention to voter registra­ competition in all classes of mail will be al­ nessee. I often told Minnie that she should be tion and established closer communication be­ lowed. grateful Henry never decided to become a co­ tween local and State government and the 1 urge my colleagues to join me in the task median, because he is even funnier than her. communities they serve. She is active in many of providing more efficient, less expensive On Tuesday, January 22, 1991, the cancer postal services to the American people and to civic, political, and social organizations, having center at Centennial Medical Center was re­ support privatization of the U.S. Postal Serv­ named in honor of Mrs. Sarah Cannon. She contributed as a member of the board of direc­ ice. tors Prince Georges Coalition on Black Affairs, was treated for breast cancer at the center in Prince Georges Political Women's Caucus, 1985. Hillcrest Heights Civic Association, the COUSIN MINNIE CELEBRATES 50TH I ask that each of my colleagues in the U.S. NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, South­ OPRY ANNIVERSARY House of Representatives join me in paying ern Leadership Conference and, the fourth tribute to one of the dearest people I have Congressional Rainbow Coalition. HON. BOB CLEMENT ever known. She is a woman of whom it has been said, "She epitomizes the joy of life." In honor of Black History Month, I salute OF TENNESSEE She truly does-and she has added great joy Mrs. Gloria Gary Lawlah and the many others IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to the lives of millions of fans for more than for their outstanding leadership and significant Thursday, February 21,1991 half a century. contributions to improving the quality of life in Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to It is my honor to count Cousin Minnie Pearl our communities. pay tribute to an elegant lady, Grand Ole Opry as my friend. • This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. 4142 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 21, 1991 I have included a list of historical milestones 197~Inducted into the Country Music Hall Sammie, happiness and success in their fu­ of Cousin Minnie's career from the Nashville of Fame. ture pursuits. Banner: 1980-Simon and Schuster publishes her autobiography, Minnie Pearl, written with [From the Nashville Banner] Joan Dew. NATIONAL COAL AND EXTRACTIVE PEARL-Y DATES 1984-0pens her own museum on Music Row. ENERGY STRATEGY ACT OF 1991 (By Jay Orr) April and October 198~Undergoes a dou­ Among the many highlights of comedian ble-mastectomy for breast cancer. , HON. NICK JOE RAHAl! H Minnie Pearl's career: January 1986--Rings in Homecoming '86 OF WEST VIRGINIA Oct. 25, 1912--Born Sarah Ophelia Colley in with Gov. Lamar Alexander. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Centerville. March 29, 1986--Appears with fellow musi­ 1932-Graduates from fashionable Ward­ cians, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Thursday, February 21, 1991 Belmont finishing school (now Belmont Col­ Robin Williams in Comic Relief, a comedy Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, the administra­ lege) in Nashville. concert in Los Angeles to benefit National tion's highly touted years in the making na­ 1934-1940-Works for the Sewell Production Health Care for the Homeless. tional energy strategy is turning out to be Company, a dramatic troupe that stages April 8, 1986-The Educational Auditory plays all over the South by training and Research Foundation holds a "Hats Off to nothing but a paper tiger-or actually, an using local talent.