[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PATRICK CURTIS

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a dear 
friend of mine, Patrick Curtis, who is being honored next week with the 
100th star on The Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, CA.
  Patrick first set off on the road to stardom when he played Baby Beau 
Wilkes in Gone with the Wind. As a young actor working his way through 
film school, he worked on dozens of westerns, the Ma and Pa Kettle 
comedies, nearly every Tony Curtis film made in the 1950's, and even on 
the Leave it to Beaver set.
  Upon graduating from film school, Patrick received a naval ROTC 
commission. He later served his country in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.
  Patrick has risen to become a highly successful film director and 
producer. He has had the opportunity to work with many legends and 
personal heroes of mine. Recently, he produced Meanwhile, Back at the 
Ranch, a documentary western about John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, 
Hoppy, and other six-gun legends.
  Even with his busy film schedule, Patrick has found time to give back 
to his community. He was asked by President Ronald Reagan to serve as 
president of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, an organization 
of successful veterans with the purpose of helping veterans who have 
not been able to mainstream. For his continued support of Vietnam 
veterans, Patrick has been awarded the prestigious Air Force 
Association Humanitarian Award. He has also been presented lifetime 
membership in The Marine Corps League, The Navy League, and The Air 
Force League.
  In addition to his work with veterans, Patrick has worked to gather 
together talent in the entertainment industry to create public service 
announcements for groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, DARE, 
and Activities for Retarded Children--all paid for by funds raised from 
the entertainment industry.
  Mr. President, I would like to honor Patrick Curtis for his 
outstanding and numerous contributions to the entertainment industry, 
to America's veterans, and to his community. Patrick's selfless service 
to his country and community are a great example of what it means to be 
a great, patriotic American.

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