[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 62 (Friday, May 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4940-S4941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise to recognize Francis 
Albert Sinatra, a man whose voice brought wonder and joy to the lives 
of millions. Natural, original, the ultimate. These are just a few 
words to describe Mr. Sinatra's voice. A talent such as Mr. Sinatra's 
is rare, once in a lifetime. We are all very fortunate to have had the 
opportunity to experience Mr. Sinatra's voice and charisma.
  Francis Albert Sinatra was born December 12, 1915, in a tough, 
working-class neighborhood of Hoboken, N.J. The son of Italian 
immigrants, Mr. Sinatra's determination, perseverance, and belief in 
himself lead him to stardom. A dramatic American success story.
  Mr. Sinatra's signature songs included ``Night and Day,'' ``Mack the 
Knife,'' ``Old Man River,'' ``New York, New York,'' ``Come Fly With 
Me,'' ``Strangers in the Night''--and, of course, ``My Way.'' Indeed, 
he did do it his way and for that we all must be grateful.
  Pete Hamill astutely described the world's love and attachment to 
Sinatra in New York magazine in 1980. He wrote, ``Sinatra's endurance 
has become a rallying point for many people who feel that their 
sacrifices and hard work are no longer honored, their values demeaned, 
their musical tastes ignored and sneered at. . ..They had overcome 
poverty and survived two world wars; they had educated their children 
and given them better lives; and sometimes their children didn't even 
care. But it should never be forgotten that Frank Sinatra was the 
original working class hero. Mick Jagger's fans bought records with 
their allowances; Sinatra's people bought them out of wages.''
  Mr. Sinatra received the Kennedy Center honor in 1983 and was awarded 
the Medal of Freedom by President Reagan in 1985. And on May 14, 1997, 
the Congress awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal in ``recognition 
of his outstanding and enduring contributions through his entertainment 
career and humanitarian activities, and for other purposes.'' I was 
pleased to be an original cosponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. Sinatra recorded more than 200 albums, from Big Band to vocal 
American music. He won nine Grammy Awards. In 1954, he won the Oscar 
for his role in ``From Here to Eternity.''
  Francis Albert Sinatra is an American phenomenon. He entertained the 
world for more than half a century. His songs have become classics, and 
belong to him alone. He was a man who chose not to hide his ethnic 
identity, but to flaunt it in an era when such things were not done. In 
so doing, he opened a path that allowed other ethnic entertainers to 
retain their own heritage and pride. In this, the American century, 
Frank Sinatra in many ways embodied the American spirit, and as our 
century comes to a close, we must acknowledge the loss of a unique 
American character, of his endurance, and his talent, and for this we 
mourn his passing, and praise his legacy.

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