Saturday 7 January 2012

Elvis' favourite birthday present?


Elvis is seen here wearing the lions head Jaycees pendant, giving his acceptance speech for this award. He received the notice of this award the day after is 36th birthday- a wonderful belated birthday surprise!

Thanks to David English and David Troedson of "Elvis Australia" www.elvis.com.au for this report of the event: 

On January 16, 1971 Elvis attended a day of functions culminating in an evening awards banquet where he and nine others accepted the honour of being named 'one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation ' by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (The Jaycees).
Elvis was nervous about his acceptance speech. He was touched, excited and deeply proud. After a two-thousand-dollar-a-plate dinner and a speech byfuture President George H.W. Bush, Elvis gives his address, in which he quotes a favorite Roy Hamilton R&B tune, 'Without A Song':
'When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book.
I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times. These gentlemen over there, these are the type who care, are dedicated. You realize if it's not possible that they might be building the Kingdom, it's not far-fetched from reality. I learned very early in life that: ‘Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend, without a song', So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you'.
This national honour has been given each year since the late 1930's and recognizes young men who have made great achievements in their field of endeavour, illustrating the opportunities available in the free enterprise system. It also applauds humanitarianism and community service. Scientists, inventors, performers, film makers, politicians bound for the Presidency, and men of greatness in all fields, have been selected for this award over the years, including John F . Kennedy, Robert F . Kennedy, Orson Welles, Howard Hughes.
Click link to see a great video of this event:   Elvis Jaycees acceptance speech
Have a great celebration of Elvis77th Birthday, not forgetting to thank the Lord for the life of this wonderful man, Elvis Aaron Presley

3 comments:

Cybersister said...

Happy Birthday Elvis! You continue to inspire us with your love of God and with your music. . . we are blessed to have you in our lives!

Cybersister said...

Hello from all your fans on Facebook too!!

Don Mansfield said...

I know another David English. He's a Baptist pastor in Texas and used to pastor 2 American Baptist churches in Germany.