Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 2, 1991                   TAG: 9102040259
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ELVIS EARNED MONEY HONESTLY, SHARED IT

Her Jan. 13 letter called Elvis the "king of trash" and stated that he "ushered in the vulgar ghetto culture from where he came." Her comments demonstrated complete ignorance of the facts about a very talented, generous, caring and humble human being.

Elvis Presley came by his money honestly, and he shared it generously. The trophy room at Graceland displays a plaque listing 56 charities that Elvis contributed to every year. Elvis performed benefit concerts to aid worthy causes and victims of natural disasters.

In January 1971 he received one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Men in America" awards. Prior honorees include John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. No, there will never be another Elvis Presley but, in my opinion, I speak for hundreds of thousands when I say that the world is a better place for having had Elvis pass our way. SHIRLEY M. BABER BLACKSBURG