IV 

108TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 111

Honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his dedication to creating a more 

compassionate, kind, and loving world for children and adults. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 27, 2003

Mr. DOYLE (for himself, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. MURTHA, Mr. GREENWOOD, Ms. HART, Mr. KANJORSKI, Mr. 

PETERSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. BRADY of 

Pennsylvania, Mr. SHERWOOD, Mr. ENGLISH, and Mr. STUPAK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Government Reform 

RESOLUTION

Honoring the legacy of Fred Rogers and his dedication to 

creating a more compassionate, kind, and loving world 

for children and adults.

Whereas on February 27, 2003, neighborhoods across the 

Nation were saddened by the death of Fred McFeely 

Rogers, creator and star of ‘‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’’; 

Whereas Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 

1928, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1953, where he pursued his education at the University of Pittsburgh while 

attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; 
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•HRES 111 IH 

Whereas in 1963, Mr. Rogers was ordained as a Presbyterian 

minister; 

Whereas his landmark show ‘‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’’ 

inspired, taught, and encouraged children, families, and 

adults since its first nationwide broadcast on February 

19, 1968, with messages of love, peace, and comfort; 

Whereas Mr. Rogers created over 200 of his own songs for 

his show, which always began in a comfortable family living room as he changed into his trademark cardigan 

sweater and sneakers, to encourage the healthy emotional 

growth of children and their families through imagination 

and friendship; 

Whereas Mr. Rogers encouraged millions of children across 

the world to love themselves and their neighbors and to 

deal with complex emotional issues in a safe, reassuring 

way; 

Whereas on July 9, 2002, in recognition of the contributions 

of Mr. Rogers, President George W. Bush presented him 

with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White 

House ceremony and said, ‘‘Fred Rogers has proven that 

television can soothe the soul and nurture the spirit and 

teach the very young’’; 

Whereas the final show of ‘‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’’ 

aired in August 2001, after having completed 33 television seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes; 

Whereas Mr. Rogers received many awards and honors for 

his efforts, including lifetime achievement awards from 

the Daytime Emmys and the Television Critics Association, designation as one of the ‘‘50 greatest TV stars of 

all time’’ by TV Guide, a star on the Hollywood Walk of 
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•HRES 111 IH 

Fame in 1998, and induction into the Television Hall of 

Fame in 1999; and 

Whereas Mr. Rogers always remained humble and true to his 

philosophy, saying ‘‘I have really never considered myself 

a TV star. . . . I always thought I was a neighbor who 

just came in for a visit’’: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) honors Fred Rogers for his legendary serv3 ice to the improvement of the lives of children, his 

4 steadfast commitment to demonstrating the power of 

5 compassion, and his dedication to spreading kind6 ness through example; and 

7 (2) expresses condolences and sympathies to his 

8 wife Joanne, his two sons, and his two grandsons.

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