[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BOBBY DARIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Walden Robert 
Cassotto for all the joy that he gave to the world through his talent, 
music, and generosity. He will be honored on his birthday, May 14.
  Known as Bobby Darin, Walden Robert Cassotto was born in Harlem on 
May 14, 1936. For most of his young life he lived at 629 East 135th 
Street in the Bronx. He attended PS 43 and Elijah D. Clark Junior and 
graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in January 1953, at the 
tender age of 16. Darin's first paying musical job was at a school 
dance at Bronx Science. For their performance, Bob and his band mates 
were reportedly paid ``twenty cents and a stick of gum each,'' a rather 
inauspicious start to what would turn out to be a brilliant career. 
Just a few years out of high school, Bobby Darin would find fame and 
fortune.
  Mr. Speaker, between the ages of 8 and 12, Bobby suffered of 
rheumatic fever four times. In those days, there was no effective 
treatment for the disease. During one of his bouts with the illness, 
Bobby overheard the doctor tell his mother that he wouldn't live to see 
his 16th birthday. From then on, the young man became driven to 
succeed. He wanted desperately to leave his mark on the world.
  Blessed with talent and determination, Bobby Darin would see his 
dream come to fruition. With his musical gifts, and his intuitive 
acting ability, and by the sheer force of his personality, Bobby Darin 
did indeed become a legend in his own time.
  On December 2, 1959, Darin was the subject of Ralph Edwards' ``This 
is Your Life.'' One of the gifts bestowed upon Bobby that night was the 
establishment of The Bobby Darin Award at Bronx Science--a medal 
presented to outstanding music students at Bobby's old high school 
until it lapsed in 1965. Sadly, on December 20, 1973, at the age of 37, 
Bobby Darin passed away following heart surgery. He left a son, Dodd.
  Mr. Speaker, for me, Bobby Darin was more than a great singer. He 
added great musical joy to my world with his style and grace, the 
lyrics of his songs, and his music. His first major hit came in 1958 
with ``Splish Splash'' and ``Mack the Knife'' which exploded onto the 
charts, rocketing to number 1, and stayed there for months.
  Bobby inspired me and so many other young people from the Bronx. He 
had a remarkable passion for life, tenacity to accomplish what he was 
set to do, great courage and sensitivity. I can remember how proud we 
were in the Bronx to know that he came from our own Borough.
  Mr. Speaker, May 14, 1999 has been proclaimed ``Bobby Darin Day'' in 
the Bronx by Bronx Borough President, Fernando Ferrer and, at the Bronx 
Science Spring Concert, the school's alumni association will revive the 
Bobby Darin award as a scholarship for talented music students. What a 
fitting tribute.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a 
great American artist and in wishing the Bobby Darin Award Committee 
continued success.

                          ____________________