[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 12, 1995

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Hoboken's 
favorite native son, Francis Albert Sinatra, who will celebrate his 
80th birthday on December 12, 1995. No voice in America today brings 
with it more sweet memories.
  No speech could possibly do justice to the ``Chairman of the Board.'' 
Sinatra has redefined American popular music with such classics as 
``Strangers in the Night,'' ``Summer Wind,'' ``The Lady Is a Tramp,'' 
``Witchcraft,'' ``Young at Heart,'' ``My Way'' and countless others. 
Every generation of Americans from the late 1930's onward has been 
wowed by his magnetic voice and unique ability to tell a story through 
his music.
  In addition, to a spectacular singing career, Sinatra has 
distinguished himself on the big screen, with starring roles in ``The 
Manchurian Candidate,'' ``From Here To Eternity'' and ``Pal Joey.'' His 
performance in ``From Here to Eternity'' earned him an Academy Award 
for Best Supporting Actor in 1953. Prior to that, Sinatra earned a 
special Oscar for ``The House I Live In,'' a sensitive documentary that 
made an eloquent plea for an end to all prejudice.
  His accomplishments in the field of entertainment are legendary, but 
of equal importance, although less well known, are his charitable and 
philanthropic work. He has performed benefit concerts for among others, 
the Red Cross, the Palm Springs' Desert Hospital, the New York Police 
Athletic League, Cabrini Medical Center, the World Mercy Fund, and the 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
  Frank Sinatra is a cultural icon, but even more than that he is a 
hero to millions of Americans of all races and nationalities, most 
particularly, of course, to Italian-Americans. Please join me in 
honoring a true American legend, who will always be an honorary citizen 
of Hoboken and the 13th Congressional District, on his 80th birthday.

                          ____________________