Floor SpeechNeutral2026-05-22

RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE

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Context

On 2026-05-22, Representative H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE" in the House.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 88 (Friday, May 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 88 (Friday, May 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE ______ HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH of virginia in the house of representatives Friday, May 22, 2026 Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Carter Family descendant, Ms. Rita Forrester, who worked for years in Southwest Virginia to preserve the storied legacy of an American country music icon, the Carter Family. Therefore, I include in the Record a proclamation in their honor: Whereas, The Original Carter Family, A.P., Sara, and Maybelle, changed Country Music history, and helped establish the fabric of American Country Music, beginning in 1927, with their first recordings during what Johnny Cash referred to as the ``Big Bang of Country Music.'' Over succeeding decades, they introduced hundreds of songs that became the canon of ``songs everybody knows,'' including ``Wildwood Flower,'' ``Keep on the Sunny Side,'' ``Will the Circle Be Unbroken,'' and ``The Wabash Cannonball;'' Whereas, Janette Carter, daughter of A.P. and Sara, fulfilled a deathbed promise to her father to ``carry the music forward.'' drew on her legacy, her faith, and on the strength and inspiration of family and friends, and founded ``The Carter Family Fold,'' weekly live traditional Country Music program in the valley, at the homeplace of the Carter Family. Thus, the Carter Family Fold became a vital part of our contemporary cultural story; Whereas, Janette's daughter, Rita Forrester assisted her mother in producing and running the weekly show and travelling to events regionally, nationally, and internationally, to receive accolades and awards, at one point, meeting British Prime Minister, Margret Thatcher; Whereas, Rita persevered, helping to maintain consistent quality, authentic experience for all who came regularly from every state in the nation and many countries around the world to experience authentic traditional Country Music, even when tragedies struck, such as the week her house burned taking the life of her beloved husband; Whereas, Rita Forrester, on the event of her mother's passing, assumed duties as the director, steadfastly ensuring that this important part of our cultural heritage would continue, performing tasks including scheduling, hosting and introducing the performances, personally making homemade chili for the audience, and travelling to represent the Carter Family Fold and the family; Whereas, Rita's humble, gentle manner belies her powerful influence. In days when social media and artificial intelligence replace cultural heritage that has sustained our families for generations, those who nurture our traditional arts become the heroes of our society; and Therefore, in the old style of building a home, there was a foundational hearthstone, or ``heart stone'' as it was called by some ancient Scots. Sich is the power of Rita Forrester's devotion, commitment, and steadfast faith that they are inextricably woven into the legacy of the Carter Family. Rita Forrester is recognized as a vital part of the foundation of the Carter Family Fold, and a Heart Stone of our culture. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 88 (Friday, May 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 88 (Friday, May 22, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING RITA FORRESTER, A HEART STONE OF OUR CULTURE ______ HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH of virginia in the house of representatives Friday, May 22, 2026 Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Carter Family descendant, Ms. Rita Forrester, who worked for years in Southwest Virginia to preserve the storied legacy of an American country music icon, the Carter Family. Therefore, I include in the Record a proclamation in their honor: Whereas, The Original Carter Family, A.P., Sara, and Maybelle, changed Country Music history, and helped establish the fabric of American Country Music, beginning in 1927, with their first recordings during what Johnny Cash referred to as the ``Big Bang of Country Music.'' Over succeeding decades, they introduced hundreds of songs that became the canon of ``songs everybody knows,'' including ``Wildwood Flower,'' ``Keep on the Sunny Side,'' ``Will the Circle Be Unbroken,'' and ``The Wabash Cannonball;'' Whereas, Janette Carter, daughter of A.P. and Sara, fulfilled a deathbed promise to her father to ``carry the music forward.'' drew on her legacy, her faith, and on the strength and inspiration of family and friends, and founded ``The Carter Family Fold,'' weekly live traditional Country Music program in the valley, at the homeplace of the Carter Family. Thus, the Carter Family Fold became a vital part of our contemporary cultural story; Whereas, Janette's daughter, Rita Forrester assisted her mother in producing and running the weekly show and travelling to events regionally, nationally, and internationally, to receive accolades and awards, at one point, meeting British Prime Minister, Margret Thatcher; Whereas, Rita persevered, helping to maintain consistent quality, authentic experience for all who came regularly from every state in the nation and many countries around the world to experience authentic traditional Country Music, even when tragedies struck, such as the week her house burned taking the life of her beloved husband; Whereas, Rita Forrester, on the event of her mother's passing, assumed duties as the director, steadfastly ensuring that this important part of our cultural heritage would continue, performing tasks including scheduling, hosting and introducing the performances, personally making homemade chili for the audience, and travelling to represent the Carter Family Fold and the family; Whereas, Rita's humble, gentle manner belies her powerful influence. In days when social media and artificial intelligence replace cultural heritage that has sustained our families for generations, those who nurture our traditional arts become the heroes of our society; and Therefore, in the old style of building a home, there was a foundational hearthstone, or ``heart stone'' as it was called by some ancient Scots. Sich is the power of Rita Forrester's devotion, commitment, and steadfast faith that they are inextricably woven into the legacy of the Carter Family. Rita Forrester is recognized as a vital part of the foundation of the Carter Family Fold, and a Heart Stone of our culture. ____________________