Recognizing the Unforgettable Big Band

Floor Speech

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Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to recognize the Unforgettable Big Band's ``Freedom is Not Free'' celebration of our Nation's 250th Birthday.

The Unforgettable Big Band originally formed in 2000, in the York, Pennsylvania area, for the simple joy of playing music for the local community; however, its reputation quickly grew. Within a couple of years, the Lake Meade Homeowners Association invited the Band to perform at the annual charity fundraiser dance, marking the Band's first public appearance. Their overwhelming success turned the performance into a bi-annual tradition that occurs to this day. As word about the Band continued to spread, they began performing more frequently across the York area. Proceeds from performances for local charities and churches enabled the Band to invest in a sound system and stage lighting, further elevating their shows and performances. Many of the Band's early performances focused on World War II Veterans' reunion events--an important tradition the Band upholds as long as surviving Veterans are able to attend. In 2019, the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame was formed to recognize and support bands and music in Central Pennsylvania. In January 2020, the Unforgettable Big Band won ``Best Ensemble,'' and followed that win with a ``Cover-To-Cover'' award in 2021, for the song ``Fighter,'' which was written to benefit the Four Diamonds Foundation's support of families of children with cancer at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Children's Hospital.

On July 3, the Unforgettable Big Band will host ``Freedom is Not Free,'' a World War II-themed USO-Canteen Swing Dance at York's Valencia Ballroom, to honor our Veterans--past and present--and our community's First Responders, and the unique role that York County has played in the history of our Nation, All profits from this event will benefit charitable local causes supporting Veterans and First Responders.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to recognize the Unforgettable Big Band and their ``Freedom is Not Free'' celebration of America's 250th Birthday. From the early days of the Continental Congress, to the York Plan that helped achieve the Allied victory, to end World War II, York County has made an enormous mark on American history, and on behalf of the Citizens of the 10th Congressional District, I commend the Unforgettable Big Band for its service to our Nation and Veterans, and am proud that this memorable and historic celebration will occur in our local community.

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