[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 31 (Friday, March 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    A TRIBUTE TO LADMIR KWAITKOWSKI

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 18, 1994

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to say 
goodbye to a personal friend of mine and a hero to thousands of 
Arizonans, known to us simply as Ladmo. Ladmir Kwaitkowski, co-star of 
the Wallace and Ladmo show died last week and I know that I am speaking 
on behalf of all Arizonans in saying that he will be greatly missed.
  Ladmo studied journalism at the Arizona State University where he 
played baseball. After four seasons at ASU, he was offered a contract 
by the Cleveland Indians. Instead, he chose to finish school and go to 
work for KPHO-TV where he eventually became the co-star of what came to 
be the longest running local television show in the Nation's history.
  For 35 years, Ladmo played the mischievous, cheerful character who 
always got caught doing things the kids wished they could do. His 
childlike enthusiasm instantly won over the hearts of Arizona's youth. 
They trusted him and saw him as a role model. As did their children and 
their children's children. Famous for his top hat pushed down over his 
ears, T-shirt with a painted on tie and goody-filled Ladmo bags, he 
reach the children like no other person could.
  Over 1,000 people attended Ladmo's funeral, many of whom had never 
personally met him. The outpouring of people who went to pay their last 
respects is testimony of the tremendous impact he had on the people of 
Arizona. Ladmir Kwaitowski, husband, father of five and grandfather of 
seven, will be missed not only by his family but by the three 
generations of Arizonans to whom he dedicated his life to making happy.

                          ____________________