In Memory
Of Jim W. Fras
May 15,
1925 - September 9, 2002
Life in Nebraska -
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One Sunday afternoon Jim was taking a bath when the phone rang. "Hi Mrs. Morrison he began excitedly". "Are you busy this evening?" Mrs. Maxine Morrison inquired. "Legislators and their wives are coming to the Governor's Mansion for dinner," she explained. "I would like for you to play the accordion and piano."
At the
Governor's Mansion, Jim was introduced to nearly all of the
Nebraska Legislature as well as their wives. Mrs. Morrison told
the group that Jim had written a Nebraska song. They wanted to
hear it. Jim spoke the lyrics and played the song on both the
piano and accordion. The Speaker of the Legislature, Senator
William Moulton of Omaha, openly endorsed Jim's composition as
his choice for the State Song. It was early in 1963.
Several months later Jim opened the TV guide and read an announcement which stated that Mrs. Morrison was presenting the official State Song on her Omaha television program that very day. He watched the program and was surprised to find the Nebraska Wesleyan University choir singing a number which the special State Song Contest Committee had selected. It was announced that the choir would sing the song at a hearing before the Legislature's Miscellaneous Subjects Committee that after noon.
Jim wondered what had happened to "Beautiful Nebraska".
He called the main office of the Legislature and inquired about the hearing. A few minutes later, he was given a message from Speaker Moulton, instructing him to bring his tape recorder to the hearing to demonstrate his song. When he arrived at the hearing at the Nebraska Capitol, Jim was denied admission to the room. "You cannot come in," Senator George Syas of Omaha informed him. "Why not?" Jim asked. "No bill has been introduced proposing your song," the Senator told him. Jim took his tape recorder and went home.
Speaker Moulton sent him a message telling him to come back. "He's an American citizen. He has a right to be here," the Speaker shouted at Senator Byas, the chairman of the committee conducting the hearing. Jim didn't want to cause trouble. He refused to return to the hearing. The Legislature committee turned down the song committee's recommendation.
"I'll get a chance when the next Legislature meets, two years from now." Jim told Irene.
Several months later Jim opened the TV guide and read an announcement which stated that Mrs. Morrison was presenting the official State Song on her Omaha television program that very day. He watched the program and was surprised to find the Nebraska Wesleyan University choir singing a number which the special State Song Contest Committee had selected. It was announced that the choir would sing the song at a hearing before the Legislature's Miscellaneous Subjects Committee that after noon.
Jim wondered what had happened to "Beautiful Nebraska".
He called the main office of the Legislature and inquired about the hearing. A few minutes later, he was given a message from Speaker Moulton, instructing him to bring his tape recorder to the hearing to demonstrate his song. When he arrived at the hearing at the Nebraska Capitol, Jim was denied admission to the room. "You cannot come in," Senator George Syas of Omaha informed him. "Why not?" Jim asked. "No bill has been introduced proposing your song," the Senator told him. Jim took his tape recorder and went home.
Speaker Moulton sent him a message telling him to come back. "He's an American citizen. He has a right to be here," the Speaker shouted at Senator Byas, the chairman of the committee conducting the hearing. Jim didn't want to cause trouble. He refused to return to the hearing. The Legislature committee turned down the song committee's recommendation.
"I'll get a chance when the next Legislature meets, two years from now." Jim told Irene.
