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. SHU-
STER, 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) sub-
mitted 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’ Neighbor-
hood’’; 
Whereas Mr. Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 
1928, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1953, where he pur-
sued his education at the University of Pittsburgh while 
attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary;
•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 liv-
ing 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 tele-
vision 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 Associa-
tion, designation as one of the ‘‘50 greatest TV stars of 
all time’’ by TV Guide, a star on the Hollywood Walk of
•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
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) honors Fred Rogers for his legendary serv-
ice to the improvement of the lives of children, his 
steadfast commitment to demonstrating the power of 
compassion, and his dedication to spreading kind-
ness through example; and 
(2) expresses condolences and sympathies to his 
wife Joanne, his two sons, and his two grandsons.
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