Lieberman on Zimmerman

The senator salutes the singer on his 50th birthday

From the Congressional Record (Senate - May 24, 1991)

[Page: S6829]

Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, 25 or 30 years ago, I would have had a very difficult time imagining Bob Dylan, whose music was so much a part of my life at the time, being 50 years old, an age he attains today, his birthday. I would have had even greater difficulty imagining me taking note of his achievements in remarks in the Senate of the United States.

Back in 1963, it is hardly likely any Member of Congress would have been talking about Bob Dylan, at least not on the floor of either Chamber; at least not in favorable terms. After all, it was he who said of them, `Come Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call/Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall.' So times have changed, though Dylan's sentiment still holds true when we consider how many problems we still have to heed. I am sure he sings those words with the same spirit and intensity today as he did 28 years ago.

For me and so many others of my generation, Bob Dylan--together with John F. Kennedy--signalled a great change in our world, heralding a new frontier, while the old order is rapidly fadin'. President Kennedy's death may have cut short our advance to that frontier, but Dylan played on as society erupted in great social ferment, matching the power of words with the power of music.

There is a mystery to Bob Dylan, which is surprising, in a way, given how freely he has expressed himself through his music. But the mystery results, I think, from Dylan's refusal to play roles society might seek to assign him--roles like superstar, rock idol, prophet. `I tried my best to be just like I am/But everybody wants you to be just like them.' He offers us nothing more--and nothing less--than his music. `I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it,' he sings. `And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it.'

Not all souls have seen, or care to see, what Bob Dylan has reflected, but his work resounds for all who sit and wonder why, and asked `how does it feel?'

For my part, I still listen, and I am glad he is still playing. I am passing along my love for Bob Dylan's music to my daughter, Hana, who seems to enjoy it herself, but she's only three so I can not be sure.

What I am sure about is Bob Dylan's place in history. His work insists on such recognition. While this occasion of Dylan's birthday might have no particular meaning for him (`Let me forget about today until tomorrow,' he would sing), it gives me a chance to say `thank you' for the words and song which have meant so much to this U.S. Senator.

Happy birthday, Bob Dylan.

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