1. Dolly Parton turns down nomination for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Dolly Parton, country music singer, author, actor and humanitarian declined her nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
According to AP News, Parton made the choice to back out of the running after feeling she wasn't worthy of the reward.
“Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out,” said Parton.
The list of other nominees includes Eminem, Lionel Richie and Duran Duran as well as 17 other artists.
Parton tells fans she hopes to be considered again when she makes a rock and roll album.
“This has however inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!” Parton said. “My husband is a total rock ‘n’ roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one.”
2. Ukraine President to deliver virtual address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak to the House and Senate on Wednesday, March 16 during a public live stream. This is in conjunction with a series of high-profile speeches that have been given to encourage support in Ukraine.
“[Nancy] Pelosi said Zelenskyy asked for the meeting when they spoke at the end of last week, and lawmakers are ‘thrilled’ to have him address Congress,” reports AP News.
The speech comes as Ukraine seeks to rally support during the escalating war with Russia.
All lawmakers have been invited to attend the talk.
“Biden is expected to sign a big spending bill containing Ukraine aid into law on Tuesday, but lawmakers expect to hear more from Zelenskyy about his country’s immediate needs,” AP News reports. “During Pelosi’s call last week, Zelenskyy said his country would need help rebuilding from the war.”
Congress is unwavering in its support for the country of Ukraine but the U.S. has decided not to offer further air aid at this time to prevent further involvement in the war.
3. Auschwitz survivor dies at 101
On Monday, March 14, Auschwitz survivor Leon Schwarzbaum died at the age of 101.
According to the International Auschwitz Committee, there was no cause of death listed. Schwarzbaum was a proactive advocate for victims of the Holocaust.
“Schwarzbaum was the only one of his family to survive the concentration camps at Auschwitz, Buchenwald and a subcamp Sachsenhausen,” reports AP News.
Schwarzbaum spent his life post-war living in Berlin, Germany where he worked as an art and antique dealer. Schwarzbaum spoke out about his experiences in Auschwitz on live television regularly and traveled to schools educating children about his experience within the concentration camp.
“In a letter of condolence to Schwarzbaum’s widow, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, “we are losing a wonderful human being and an important eyewitness to history.”
