[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H3221-H3223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONFERRING STATUS AS HONORARY VETERAN ON LESLIE TOWNES (BOB) HOPE

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) to confer status as an honorary veteran 
of the United States Armed Forces on Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 75

       Whereas the United States has never before conferred status 
     as an honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces on 
     an individual, and such status is and should remain an 
     extraordinary honor not lightly conferred nor frequently 
     granted;
       Whereas the lifetime of accomplishments and service of 
     Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope on behalf of United States military 
     servicemembers fully justifies the conferring of such status;
       Whereas Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope is himself not a veteran, 
     having attempted to enlist in the Armed Forces to serve his 
     country during World War II, but being informed that the 
     greatest service he could provide the Nation was as a 
     civilian entertainer for the troops;
       Whereas during, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the 
     Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War and throughout the Cold 
     War, Bob Hope traveled to visit and entertain millions of 
     United States servicemembers in numerous countries, on ships 
     at sea, and in combat zones ashore;
       Whereas Bob Hope has been awarded the Congressional Gold 
     Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Distinguished 
     Service Medal of each of the branches of the Armed Forces, 
     and more than 100 citations and awards from national veterans 
     service organizations and civic and humanitarian 
     organizations; and
       Whereas Bob Hope has given unselfishly of his time for over 
     a half century to be with United States servicemembers on 
     foreign shores, working tirelessly to bring a spirit of humor 
     and cheer to millions of servicemembers during their 
     loneliest moments, and thereby extending for the American 
     people a touch of home away from home: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     Congress--
       (1) extends its gratitude, on behalf of the American 
     people, to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope for his lifetime of 
     accomplishments and service on behalf of United States 
     military servicemembers; and

[[Page H3222]]

       (2) confers upon Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope the status of an 
     honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona [Mr. Stump] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans], each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump].
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)


                             General Leave

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the joint resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, many consider Bob Hope's most important contribution to 
American society to be entertaining this Nation's troops overseas. From 
World War II to the Persian Gulf, Bob Hope performed for millions of 
American GI's stationed all over the world.
  As a Navy enlisted man, I was privileged to attend two of these 
performances during World War II.
  I also had the honor of sharing the stage with Bob Hope and other 
dignitaries in 1995 in Honolulu at the Waikiki Shell to commemorate the 
50th anniversary of V-J Day.
  The U.S. Navy recently dedicated the USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300), the 
lead ship in a new class of strategic sealift vessels.
  On April 22d, the Air Force dedicated its newest C-17 Globemaster III 
aircraft in the name of Bob Hope in honor of his contributions to the 
Air Force.
  Bob Hope has truly earned for himself the finest title this country 
can bestow, that of ``honorary veteran.''
  Mr. Speaker, we have over 280 cosponsors on this resolution. I would 
like to commend the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans], ranking 
minority member of the full committee, for his support and cooperation 
on this resolution.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to commend the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], chairman of 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. As a result of his efforts, he has 
put this resolution on a fast track, and it is an important piece of 
legislation and overdue, I think, in terms of recognizing the 
contributions of Bob Hope. I salute him for his leadership on this 
measure and was pleased to join him as a cosponsor of this legislation 
we originally introduced.
  Perhaps more than any other person, Bob Hope has done more to lift 
the spirits of men and women in uniform when those spirits needed to be 
raised the most. On behalf of the countless service men and women who 
Bob Hope has entertained throughout his long and distinguished career, 
we say to Bob Hope, thanks for the memories and for a job well done.
  The honor bestowed on Bob Hope by House Joint Resolution 75 is well 
deserved. I look forward to favorable consideration of this resolution 
by our colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Dreier].
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman of the 
committee for yielding me the time, and I congratulate both the 
chairman and ranking minority member for moving forward with this very 
appropriate legislation.
  Last Thursday night in Los Angeles, a wonderful birthday tribute was 
held for Bob Hope as he marked his 94th birthday. It seems to me that 
this legislation is very fitting right on the heels of that important 
celebration.
  When one thinks of the name of Bob Hope, for me the first word that 
comes to mind is patriot. That is why bestowing on him this title of 
being an honorary veteran is very, very apropos. He has spent countless 
days and very important days, holidays, away from his family to 
entertain our troops during very difficult times in our Nation's 
history. It seems to me when we think about the kinds of sacrifices 
that he has made, they clearly do certainly establish very, very good 
justification for Bob Hope to be named as a veteran of the armed 
services.
  Mr. Speaker, I have considered Bob Hope and his wonderful wife 
Dolores and his son Tony and others in his family very good friends. 
They have homes in both Los Angeles and in the Palm Springs area and 
are very active in the community in southern California. We are happy 
to, first of all, mark his 94th birthday and wish him many more to come 
and to congratulate the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] and the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] for moving forward with this very 
important and well-deserved legislation.
  Mr. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint 
Resolution 75, and to speak on behalf of my constituent and friend, Mr. 
Leslie Townes Hope or, as he is known to everyone worldwide, Bob Hope.
  Virtually everyone is aware that Bob Hope has, for many years, been 
America's greatest ``veteran'' showman, performing countless times for 
our troops throughout the world. No matter how far away, or how 
dangerous the conditions, Bob Hope made sure that our service personnel 
had the chance to enjoy an entertaining show, and, at least for a brief 
time, a respite from the horror of war or drudgery of duty.
  Although he was not born in America, Mr. Hope is as American as apple 
pie and forever linked to the glamour of the golden era of Hollywood 
and the American GI. While the honors and accolades for Bob Hope are as 
countless as the shows he performed for our troops, I want to mention 
just a few of the awards he has received. For his humanitarian work he 
was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom. As an entertainer he was awarded a Presidential Medal of the 
Arts. His honorary degrees and awards would consume pages of this 
record. The U.S. Navy has dedicated a ship the USNS Bob Hope, and the 
U.S. Air Force has named its newest C-17 Globemaster III in his honor.
  As an entertainer Bob Hope is a legendary figure. But his greatest 
legacy will be carried in the memories of those American sons and 
daughters who faced adversity far from home and found a few hours of 
refuge in the USO tours headed by Bob Hope. Bob Hope gave our troops 
the gift of humor, reminding us all that one of our greatest assets in 
facing adversity is a sense of humor. No matter, the conditions, Bob 
Hope came through for our troops. His tours and annual Christmas show, 
performed in more than 40 countries during the past quarter century 
brought a piece of home to millions of American service personnel.
  The time has come to give Bob Hope our thanks for his selfless 
commitment to our troops. Veteran groups, members of the Armed Forces, 
Members of Congress, and the American people have joined together to 
recognize Bob Hope as the first honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed 
Forces. I urge all my colleagues to join in this fitting tribute to a 
great man--Bob Hope.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Bob Hope, world renowned 
entertainer, humanitarian, and Clevelander.
  Bob Hope started his entertainment career in the great vaudeville era 
with Fatty Arbuckle. He made his broadway debut in ``Roberta,'' by 
Jerome Kern. He succeeded again with ``Ziegfield Follies'' and ``Red, 
Hot and Blue.'' Then he starred in movies, such as ``Thanks for the 
Memory.''
  Bob Hope warmed the hearts of Americans through his commitment to 
raising the spirits of U.S. troops. He traveled the world, to wherever 
U.S. troops were stationed. Always self-deprecating, he said of 
himself, ``I still have the same rank I've always had--chicken, first 
class.''
  Bob Hope is a very successful businessman. He invested his show 
business earnings wisely, generating considerable wealth. Bob Hope is 
also a very generous man. His foundation regularly gives away half a 
million dollars per year to worthy education and health care projects. 
He has shown deep commitment to Catholic agencies and churches.
  Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope is a great American. To Bob, his lovely wife 
Dolores and their entire family, I wish them continued happiness.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the committee 
for his help. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the joint resolution, House Joint Resolution 75.

[[Page H3223]]

  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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