December 19, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 206 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H12288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE WAR ON PUTTING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

  (Mr. GROTHMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, that was such a beautiful 1-minute speech, 
it is hard to follow it. It was such a great thing to say.
  This morning when I got up, I read a column by one of the talking 
heads around here saying that there was a fictional war on Christmas, 
and I thought I might address the issue with my 1-minute speech.
  There may or may not be a war on Christmas around here, but there is 
certainly a war on putting Christ in Christmas, and I am going to 
comment on the background music that we hear throughout the Christmas 
season.
  In Washington, D.C., we have WASH, a typical radio station around the 
country. From 4 o'clock in the morning until 1 o'clock this afternoon, 
the only song that they played that mentioned Christ was ``God Rest You 
Merry, Gentlemen.''
  This is corporate America at its best. They have a list of their 50 
favorite songs for Christmas, and ``God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen'' was 
50. They managed to find 49 great songs that didn't mention Christ.
  If you get around shopping, Kohl's department store, and whatnot, Mr. 
Speaker, you will again and again hear the music background leaving out 
``Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,'' ``Joy to the World,'' ``O Come, All 
Ye Faithful''--all the songs that people my age grew up with.

  I would hope that America will step forward and be aware of this and 
demand more of corporate America.
  I finally would like to thank Sheboygan North High School in my 
district for playing ``Joy to the World'' and ``Away in a Manger'' in 
the Christmas parade.

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