[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H9046-H9047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING USE OF ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR A CEREMONY HONORING 
                        LESLIE TOWNES (BOB) HOPE

  Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the Senate 
concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 56) authorizing the use of the 
rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony honoring Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope 
by conferring upon him the status of an honorary veteran of the Armed 
Forces of the United States, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, reserving the right to object, will 
the gentleman from Ohio please explain the resolution?
  Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. KILPATRICK. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, Bob Hope, of course we all know, has been 
successful in all the areas of show business, but the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs believes that Bob Hope's most important contribution 
to our American society was entertaining the Nation's troops.
  He actually attempted to enlist, in his adopted country, into the 
service, and he was told that the greatest service he could do for the 
country was to entertain troops, which he has done since World War II 
all the way through the Persian Gulf.
  He was also cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most 
honored entertainer in the world. But I think what stands out most in 
the American population's mind in this country is how he put himself in 
harm's way, although he went with

[[Page H9047]]

other entertainers, but led the charge really to boost the morale and 
to visit with our troops and let them know that America was always 
behind them.
  So, Madam Speaker, this resolution would authorize the use of the 
rotunda in the Capitol on October 29, 1997, for a ceremony to honor Bob 
Hope by conferring on him the status of an honorary veteran. And I 
would note that the status of honorary veteran will be officially 
conferred upon him by House Joint Resolution 75, and that passed June 
3, and in the Senate on September 9, and has been forwarded to the 
White House.
  So Mr. Hope will personally be here on Wednesday, and this will be 
the use of the rotunda, to honor Bob Hope's commitment to our veterans 
and who has made our country so great.

                              {time}  1045

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the explanation from the 
gentleman from Ohio. I too think Bob Hope is a fine gentleman who has 
really kept the morale up of many of our veterans and would concur with 
the resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Morella). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 56

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to 
     be used on October 29, 1997, for a ceremony to honor Leslie 
     Townes (Bob) Hope for conferring upon him the status of an 
     honorary veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States. 
     Physical preparations for the conduct of the ceremony shall 
     be carried out in accordance with such conditions as may be 
     prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol.

  The Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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