Following the final concert of Dead & Company at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Congressman Wiley Nickel of North Carolina took to the House floor on Monday to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the Grateful Dead, a band that has left an indelible imprint on American music and culture.

The Congressman, accompanied by a prominent 'Steal Your Face' sign, commended the band for its enduring legacy and its unique role in unifying people through the universal language of music.

"In a world often divided, the Grateful Dead reminds us that music has the power to bridge divides and bring people together," Congressman Nickel said. "Their music served as a beacon of hope and escape and a testament to the power of artistic expression."

Quoting the band's legendary guitarist, Jerry Garcia, the Congressman said, "Jerry Garcia said it best when he said, 'Maybe we're just one of the last adventures in America." The Congressman emphasized that the Grateful Dead's story and music have indeed been an "amazing American adventure" for its many followers.

"I like people who like the Grateful Dead" - Wiley Nickel

The speech comes in the wake of the final performance by Dead & Company, one of many Dead iterations that have carried on the Grateful Dead's music following Jerry's passing. The group played their last concert on July 16th, 2023, marking the end of Dead & Company, but as Congressman Nickel noted, not the end of the influence and impact of the Grateful Dead.