House members call for Elvis Presley Day

Ten members of the House have introduced a resolution encouraging the recognition of Elvis Presley Day on Jan. 8, Elvis's birthday.

Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) and nine of his House colleagues proposed H.Res. 818, which summarizes Elvis's life story and says the singer "remains one of the most famous American entertainers of all time whose influence on music and whose cultural impact continues today."

Among other things, it notes that Elvis recorded more than 750 songs, sold more than a billion records around the world, served in the U.S. Army and "is hailed as the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll.' " The resolution also finds that the most requested item from the National Archives is a picture of Elvis shaking hands with President Nixon.

But because Elvis's birthday is not officially celebrated, the resolution expresses support for designating Jan. 8 as Elvis Presley Day, and "encourages the people of the United States, federal, state and local governments and interested groups to observe Elvis Presley Day."

Elvis was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Miss., and died in Memphis, Tenn., in 1977.

Other sponsors of the resolution are Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Michael Michaud (D-Maine), David Price (D-N.C.), Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and Mel Watt (D-N.C.).

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