[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RECOGNIZING KIM PEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kim Peek. Kim 
was the inspiration for screen writer Barry Morrow's 1988 Oscar-winning 
movie ``Rain Man.'' Though the movie plot is not about Kim's life, Kim 
was the original inspiration for the title character.
  Kim is a unique person. He was diagnosed as a megasavant born with 
fetal brain damage which affected his motor sensors. Kim is termed a 
megasavant because of his knowledge of remarkably diverse subject 
information and total recall capabilities of almost everything he has 
read since he was three-years old.
  Since March of 1989, when the movie ``Rain Man'' received four 
Oscars, Kim and his father Fran have traveled throughout the United 
States taking their message to those who will listen. Kim's message is 
``Learn to recognize and respect differences in others, and treat them 
as you would like them to treat you. This will help give us the kind of 
world we hope for. Share, care, be your best!''
  Kim has been featured on numerous television stations nationwide and 
in more than 430 newspaper articles. He has been on ABC's 20/20 and on 
Good Morning America. His story has been broadcast in nearly every 
state in the United States, as well as South Africa, Australia, 
England, and Japan.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kim Peek for his uniqueness, 
and for his contribution to society. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
wishing Kim and his father many more years of continued success.

                          ____________________