October 9, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10221 next summer by the USCGC Hickory, a to entertainment after his father trad- secret.’’ In his essay, Kevin provides brand-new seagoing buoy tender, but ed a shotgun for a guitar. his readers with a very real and very she will not be forgotten. Sheb’s first encounter with the music frightening scenario. The story de- I am proud to commemorate the de- industry occurred in Nashville in 1945 scribes a scenario in which someone is commissioning of this great ship, the when he signed a deal with the Bullet feeling down and confides in a friend Sedge, and to honor the distinguished record label and WSM. He then ven- that he plans to commit suicide. Kevin achievements of the officers and en- tured west to Fort Worth, TX, for a offers two possible endings to his essay. listed personnel who have served our regular radio spot. While in Texas, In the first instance, the friend reports Nation so well. upon the advice of a friend at WSM, the suicide plan to the police, who in- f Sheb decided to try his luck as an tervene and save the boy’s life. In the actor in California. Soon after his ar- other scenario, no one intervenes, the ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS rival in Hollywood, Sheb appeared in boy kills himself and his friend is left several western films and worked with with an enormous amount of guilt and ON THE WORK OF ANNE AND KIRK such film heroes as Errol Flynn and regret. DOUGLAS, HONOREES, TREE-PEO- John Wayne. His most notable film was Mr. President, Kevin Dillon, a sopho- PLE’S EVENING UNDER THE ‘‘High Noon’’ in which he played an more at St. Xavier High School, de- HARVEST MOON EVENT outlaw gang leader opposite the town serves to be applauded for tackling sheriff, Gary Cooper. During his movie such a difficult and important issue in ∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would career he appeared in several more such an elegant and stylistic manner. like to take this moment to reflect on films including ‘‘The War Wagon,’’ His story depicts the ideal situation the exceptional work of Anne and Kirk ‘‘Outlaw Josie Wales,’’ ‘‘Rio Bravo,’’ when keeping a secret becomes a detri- Douglas, who will be honored by ‘‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,’’ and mental and dangerous act for all par- TreePeople on October 19 for their ex- ‘‘Hoosiers.’’ ties involved. Once again, I congratu- traordinary commitment to children. In 1958, Sheb was cast in the role of late Kevin Dillon for this distinction In 1997, Anne and Kirk Douglas estab- Pete Nolan on the popular television and urge him to continue to take on lished the Anne and Kirk Douglas series ‘‘Rawhide,’’ and later made the tough issues this Nation faces Playground Award to improve Los An- many television appearances including today.∑ geles school campuses. Collaborating the ‘‘Ed Sullivan Show,’’ ‘‘Lone Rang- with TreePeople’s Campus Forestry er,’’ ‘‘American Bandstand,’’ ‘‘Hee f Program, community members and or- Haw,’’ and ‘‘Murder She Wrote,’’ writ- ganizations, Anne and Kirk have ing several scripts along the way. helped fund new playground equip- IN RECOGNITION OF MR. ALBERT While Sheb was enjoying his time on JOHNSON ment, tree planting, outdoor class- the screen, he was also working on ∑ rooms, and other worthy projects writing country music. After several Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, I throughout Los Angeles County. attempts, Sheb landed a smash hit rise to recognize the ongoing efforts of Improving schools is a wonderful with ‘‘Purple People Eater.’’ In 1959 my friend and fellow Tennessean, Mr. community service. Because of Anne this tune climbed the pop charts and Albert Wm. Johnson of Nashville. Mr. and Kirk’s work, many children can eventually became one of MGM’s most Johnson is chairman and CEO of Dob- play on safe equipment, enjoy the successful singles of all time. son & Johnson Financial, a leading na- beauty and shade trees provide, and ad- And then there was Ben Colder, the tional mortgage banking advisory firm mire the natural environment. Anne drunken persona that Sheb created and since its founding in 1955. and Kirk have every reason to be proud ultimately played as a cast member on Let me say that Albert Johnson con- of their dedication to improving the the television series, ‘‘Hee Haw.’’ tinues to enjoy a remarkable life. Upon lives of countless children. Under the guise of Colder, Sheb per- graduation from college, he entered the The Anne and Kirk Douglas Play- formed many hit parodies of the coun- military service as an aviation cadet ground Award not only makes schools try music artists of the 1960s, including en route to a distinguished military ca- better, but also strengthens the bond ‘‘Don’t Go Near the Eskimos.’’ In 1969, reer. Mr. Johnson flew 49 missions among community members. Parents, Sheb wrote and recorded the theme against German bombing targets in students, school staff and local busi- song for ‘‘Hee Haw.’’ WW II before being shot down in Aus- nesses work together for the better- The career of Sheb Wooley has been tria and becoming a prisoner of war, ment of the community. This is truly a as colorful as the characters he has POW, until the end of the conflict. Dur- win-win situation for all involved. played on and off the screen. He has ing his World War II service, Al John- I am proud to extend my sincere con- won many accolades over the years, in- son accumulated numerous decora- gratulations to Anne and Kirk on this cluding the Western Heritage Award tions, citations, and commendations, special honor from TreePeople, and for 9 consecutive years and Songwriter including the Distinguished Flying wish them much continued success.∑ of the Year in 1992. He never strayed Cross, DFC, with two Oak Leaf Clus- f far from his roots and always knew ters. After the war, Mr. Johnson was a senior instructor assigned to assist the IN RECOGNITION OF SHEB WOOLEY how to rope in an audience. I wish him well and pray that his health returns Tennessee Air National Guard until re- ∑ Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, to him soon.∑ turning to Europe to again serve with today I rise to honor and recognize a notable commendation on the NATO f fine American treasure. This talented staff responsible for planning Ger- individual has enjoyed a remarkable CONGRATULATIONS TO KEVIN many’s integration into NATO. career in the entertainment industry DILLON Upon leaving active military service, spanning from the hills of Hollywood ∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise Albert Johnson returned to Nashville to the recording labels of Nashville. today to congratulate Kevin Dillon of and cofounded Dobson & Johnson, This gentleman’s name is Mr. Sheb Prospect, KY, for winning the top thereby embarking on a brilliant busi- Wooley. Mr. Wooley is currently in honor in a recently held national essay ness career that has featured the hold- poor health and I would like to take competition sponsored by the Amer- ing of billions of dollars in residential this opportunity to wish him well and ican Psychiatric Association. This mortgage loans in trust for State mu- reflect upon his many accomplish- competition was judged by Members of tual saving banks, insurance compa- ments. Congress, authors, and national health nies, pension funds, and private inves- Sheb Wooley is a genuine American reporters. tors. His remarkable leadership in the cowboy who throughout his early years The American Psychiatric Associa- mortgage banking and real estate in- earned a living on the rodeo circuit. tion accepted up to five essays from dustry has received well-deserved na- Born in Erick, OK, in 1921, Sheb, who each State; 14 States participated in tional acclaim and his firm has been grew up facing the harsh realities of this year’s competition. This year’s recognized as one of the largest private the Dust Bowl during the 1930s, turned essay topic was ‘‘When not to keep a business enterprises in Nashville. VerDate 0ct 02 2002 06:15 Oct 10, 2002 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G09OC6.164 S09PT1.