[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO HENRY MANCINI

                                 ______


                             HON. RON KLINK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 1994

  Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, there is a saying that people who grow up in 
western Pennsylvania never leave. The people of western Pennsylvania 
have heart. They are loyal, loving, and know the significance of 
family.
  Henry Mancini was a typical man from western Pennsylvania. I say 
typical because he never got away from his roots in West Aliquippa. 
Growing up in an area that was not well-off, one would think that this 
successful composer would run toward the glamour of Hollywood and never 
look back, but Mr. Mancini never let fame get to his head. That was 
probably what made him so special, even more so than his music. He 
succeeded against the odds, and remained humble.
  Working from the bottom up, Mr. Mancini composed for B-movies before 
being discovered and launched into stardom with the memorable hit theme 
music for ``Peter Gunn.'' His love for his work made the whole struggle 
worth it. Henry Mancini never gave up hope, never lost his dream. He is 
a wonderful example of a local boy making good.
  Henry Mancini traveled all over the world but always considered 
western Pennsylvania his home. We were all his neighbors; he was a part 
of all of our lives. Our dear neighbor gave back to his community 
simply by doing what he did best, make music.
  I feel that I must comment on his music, although it's difficult to 
find anyone who has never heard his masterpieces, Henry Mancini wrote 
for movies and television, even a cartoon. People from every age group 
can count themselves among his fans. Henry Mancini will be greatly 
missed, as a composer, as a musician, and as a friend. He was a man who 
loved his hometown as much as him hometown loved him. We will always 
remember him.

                          ____________________