[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18446-S18447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FRANK SINATRA'S 80th BIRTHDAY

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to an 
American who celebrates his 80th birthday on this day. The chairman of 
the board, Francis Albert Sinatra, legendary performer and American 
treasure, was born on this day, December 12, in Hoboken, NJ, in 1915.

[[Page S18447]]

  Frank Sinatra rose from humble, blue-collar roots to superstardom by 
virtue of a God-given gift: his voice. Through hard work and 
determination he perfected his talent and sang his way to the top of 
the entertainment industry. His music dominated the charts from the 
1930's through the 1960's. By the 1970's he was an American 
institution, surviving Elvis, the Beatles, and the rock and roll 
revolution. Frank Sinatra has performed for audiences around the world. 
He has influenced virtually everyone who is, or ever wanted to be, a 
singer. As Harry Connick, Jr., once said, ``Frank taught everybody how 
to sing.'' A universal entertainer from the old school, he could sing 
with the likes of Bing Crosby, dance with the likes of Gene Kelly, and 
act with the likes of Burt Lancaster. From 1941 to 1984 he appeared in 
59 motion pictures. In 1953, he won an Oscar for his performance in 
``From Here To Eternity.''
  But Frank Sinatra has given more to America than his records and 
movies. In 1945, he won a special award from the Academy of Motion 
Picture Arts and Sciences for a short film called ``The House I Live 
In,'' in which he stressed religious tolerance and racial equality. He 
had much to do with the desegregation of the entertainment industry by 
promoting African-American artists, most notably his friend, the late 
Sammy Davis, Jr.
  During World War II he could not serve because of a punctured ear 
drum, but he performed for troops overseas and assisted the war effort 
by selling war bonds. As a young man, he involved himself in politics 
by supporting President Roosevelt in 1932. He campaigned for Democrats 
throughout the 1950's. In 1960, President Kennedy asked him to direct 
his inaugural gala. In the 1970's he supported Republicans and again 
hosted inaugural galas for Preident Reagan in 1980 and 1984. In sum, 
Frank Sinatra should enjoy bipartisan support from this body.
  Frank Sinatra also deserves to be recognized for his work on behalf 
of charitable causes. He has given millions of dollars to charities and 
humanitarian causes publicly and anonymously. His donations have built 
children's hospitals, orphanages, and facilities for the mentally 
handicapped. In 1985 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 
the highest civilian honor our Nation bestows. In making the 
presentation, President Reagan praised him for his generosity toward 
the less fortunate.
  Frank Sinatra is an American institution who has had an undeniable 
impact on the 20th century. He is part of American culture, one of the 
great voices of our time. There is probably a Sinatra fan on every 
block in every town in America, including this one on my block. Sinatra 
songs have provided the backdrop of our lives for the past 50 years. 
For most of us, a Sinatra song has the ability to conjure up memories 
of certain moments of our lives. So many of us can recall where we were 
when we first heard our favorite Sinatra song.
  Now as he reaches the age of 80, the voice has become the elder 
statesman of entertainment, a comforting presence, and a source of 
inspiration for younger performers. He is a remarkable and 
distinguished American, and his art will be with us for decades to 
come. He did it his way, and we loved it that way. I am as great a fan 
of his work as anyone, and I am sure I speak for many people in 
Connecticut, across the country, and around the world when I wish Old 
Blue Eyes a very happy 80th birthday and hope there will be many more 
to come.

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