119-sres207

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 207 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 207

 Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 May 7, 2025

 Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Hagerty) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.

Whereas, on November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry was born when the WSM Barn 
 Dance was launched with Uncle Jimmy Thompson, a 77-year-old fiddle 
 player;
Whereas, in December 1927, the program was officially named the Grand Ole Opry 
 when George D. Hay, a legendary announcer and program director, 
 proclaimed on-air, ``For the past hour, we have been listening to the 
 music taken largely from the Grand Opera, but from now on we will 
 present the Grand Ole Opry'';
Whereas the Grand Ole Opry was housed in the Ryman Auditorium, the ``Mother 
 Church of Country Music'' in Nashville, Tennessee;
Whereas some of the most historic moments of the Grand Ole Opry occurred inside 
 Ryman Auditorium, including the inductions of country music legends like 
 Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson, 
 George Jones, Jeannie Seely, Dolly Parton, and Johnny and June Carter 
 Cash;
Whereas the popularity of the Grand Ole Opry surged during the 1930s and 1940s, 
 with its live radio broadcast becoming a staple in households across the 
 United States;
Whereas, on March 15, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry broadcast its final show from 
 Ryman Auditorium;
Whereas, on March 16, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry debuted its first show in the new 
 4,400 seat Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, with President 
 Richard Nixon in attendance;
Whereas a piece of the Ryman Auditorium stage, known as the circle, was laid 
 into the center of the new Grand Ole Opry House stage and remains a 
 hallowed piece of country music history;
Whereas the Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running radio show in the history of 
 the United States, reaching millions of listeners each week;
Whereas the contributions of the artists and members of the Grand Ole Opry 
 family have had an innumerable impact on the culture and history of the 
 United States;
Whereas the Grand Ole Opry is more than just a concert hall or a radio show, it 
 is a United States institution that has played a pivotal role in shaping 
 the music landscape in the United States;
Whereas the Grand Ole Opry has continued to be the most famous stage in country 
 music and has solidified Nashville, Tennessee, as the country music 
 capital of the world; and
Whereas, in 2025, the Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its 100th anniversary: Now, 
 therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 
 Grand Ole Opry;

    (2) commemorates the legacy of the Grand Ole Opry and the 
 lasting contributions of the Grand Ole Opry to the advancement 
 of country music; and

    (3) congratulates the artists and members of the Grand Ole 
 Opry family on 100 inspiring years.
 <all>