[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 168 (Friday, October 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S16107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF HENRY WINKLER'S 50TH BIRTHDAY

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, as a long-standing member and now 
Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, I have 
been an outspoken critic of movie and television programs that have a 
negative impact on our children. However, I do make a point to single 
out those who make a positive contribution to quality programming. 
Today I want not only to pay tribute to an individual who has worked 
diligently to create programs that uplift and instruct our children, 
but also to extend congratulatory birthday greetings. Henry Winkler, an 
individual who already has established a milestone in television 
history, will celebrate another milestone on October 30, when he turns 
a golden fifty years of age.
  All of us know Henry Winkler as the ``Fonz'' on the long running TV 
show ``Happy Days''. His famous motorcycle jacket is a permanent piece 
of the Smithsonian Institute's collection. As an actor, Mr. Winkler 
created a national icon. Today, he has established himself as one of 
Hollywood's most respected producers of family-oriented entertainment, 
and has drawn attention to humanitarian and family causes. In the 
1970s, he won the prestigious Humanitas Award for his program ``Who Are 
the DeBolts?'', a documentary on a family with nineteen children, many 
of them adopted with special needs. In the 1980s, Henry brought back 
the ``Fonz'' to host the video ``Strong Kids, Safe Kids'', a widely 
distributed cassette that addressed child abuse. His production 
company, ``JZM''--the initials derived from each first name of his 
three children--produced children's specials addressing a variety of 
important issues such as divorce and teenage drunk driving. Families 
also have enjoyed the exploits of ``MacGyver'', the story of an action 
hero who solved crimes with creativity and scientific knowledge, rather 
than guns or brute violence. Henry also continues to act, portraying 
characters who invariably learn or teach a heartwarming lesson, 
including last year's ``Truman Capote's One Christmas'', in which Henry 
co-starred with the legendary Katherine Hepburn. As both actor and 
producer, Henry has proven that good, clean programming can be 
entertaining, and as the ``Fonz'' would say, cool.
  Henry Winkler's devotion and commitment to quality programming stems 
from clear fact: Henry Winkler is a quality human being. He has applied 
this same energy to the welfare of all children. He is a founding 
member of the Children's Action Network, dedicated to raising the 
profile of children's issues through the media. He has been national 
chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign, honorary chairman of the 
Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Special Olympics, and numerous 
teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs.
  In recognition of his many humanitarian efforts, Henry Winkler has 
been honored by the United Nations, B'nai B'rith, Women in Film, and 
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Also honored by Hollywood, Mr. Winkler has 
his own star on the ``Walk of Stars''. In both his personal and 
professional life, Henry Winkler set a positive and highly respected 
standard for the entertainment industry. My wife, Harriett, and I join 
Henry's family and friends in wishing him a very happy birthday, good 
health and best wishes for another half-century of continued success.

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