Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Page S5597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
______
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ``PRIDE OF THE
SOUTHLAND'' MARCHING BAND
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the
150th anniversary of the University of Tennessee ``Pride of the
Southland'' marching band and congratulate this esteemed band on 150
years of success.
The ``Pride of the Southland'' marching band was founded in 1869 by
Gustavus Robert Knabe, from Germany. During the 150 years of the
marching band, there have been 10 directors, including the current
director, Dr. Donald Ryder, who was proceeded by both Dr. Gary Sousa
and Dr. W.J. Julian. It was Dr. Julian who created the now famous
``Circle Drill.''
Since the band was formed after the close of the Civil War, it had a
military style with both uniforms and music. The marching band
maintained a military look until 1951, when the then-band director,
Walter M. Ryba, changed the look of the uniform and created a new look
on the field. When Dr. W.J. Julian became the director in 1961, the
marching band was moved from the military department and placed in the
music education curriculum. With this change, they received new
uniforms consisting of navy blue trousers and jackets with an orange
and white military-style vest overlay with braided shoulder straps and
a white plume with an orange and white shako. This is the uniform
currently still in use today.
Over the last 150 years, the marching band has grown dramatically
from 13 members to over 350 members. With such a deep and rich history,
it is no surprise that several families have had multiple generations
who have participated in the ``Pride.''
The ``Pride of the Southland'' marching band has been recognized
internationally for their unique marching style and music, including
the innovative ``Circle Drill,'' which has become a strong tradition
each fall, and ``Rocky Top,'' which started as the band's halftime show
in October 1972, during the Vols annual football game versus Alabama.
In 1982, the marching band opened the World's Fair in Knoxville and
has performed in 15 Presidential inauguration--a record unmatched by
any civilian organization--with the first being President Dwight
Eisenhower in 1953 and, most recently, President Donald Trump. The band
has appeared in over 50 bowl games, including the Rose Bowl, Cotton
Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Citrus Bowl, Peach Bowl, Sun Bowl, Hall
of Fame Bowl and the 1998 National Championship Fiesta Bowl. They have
also performed on the field with stars such as Charlie Daniels Band,
Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, Lee Greenwood, Roy Acuff, the Osborne
Brothers, and many others.
At home in Neyland Stadium, the ``Pride of the Southland'' band has
impressed Vol fans with its pre-game show, which is considered one of
the finest ever performed. The band created the ``V-O-L-S'' chant, the
opening of the ``Power T,'' ``USA,'' and more.
I would like to recognize the ``Pride of the Southland'' marching
band for its 150 years of rich history and commend the University of
Tennessee and all band members, past and present, for the part they
have played to make the program such a storied success. When I was 14,
I sold programs at Neyland Stadium. There is nothing more exciting than
watching a football game in Neyland Stadium, and if your seats are by
the band, that is even better.
There are no other traditions in the University of Tennessee's
history that can surpass the astounding accomplishments and success
that the ``Pride of the Southland'' marching band has in its 150 years
of service to a great university.
____________________
