[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H385-H388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PRESENTING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO CHARLES M. SCHULZ

  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3642) to authorize the President to award a gold 
medal on behalf of the Congress to Charles M. Schulz in recognition of 
his lasting artistic contributions to the Nation and the world.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3642

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Charles M. Schulz was born on November 26, 1922, in St. 
     Paul, Minnesota, the son of Carl and Dena Schulz.
       (2) Charles M. Schulz served his country in World War II, 
     working his way up from infantryman to staff sergeant and 
     eventually leading a machine gun squad. He kept morale high 
     by decorating fellow soldiers' letters home with cartoons of 
     barracks life.
       (3) After returning from the war, Charles M. Schulz 
     returned to his love for illustration and took a job with 
     ``Timeless Topix''. He also took a second job as an art 
     instructor. Eventually his hard work paid off and when the 
     Saturday Evening Post began purchasing a number of his single 
     comic panels.
       (4) It was in his first weekly comic strip, ``L'il Folks'', 
     that Charlie Brown was born. That comic strip, which was 
     eventually renamed ``Peanuts'', became the sole focus of 
     Charles M. Schulz's career.
       (5) Charles M. Schulz has drawn every frame of his strip, 
     which runs seven days a week, since it was created in October 
     1950. This is rare dedication in the field of comic 
     illustration.
       (6) The ``Peanuts'' comic strip appears in 2,600 newspapers 
     around the world and reaches approximately 335 million 
     readers every day in 20 different languages. Because of this, 
     Charles M. Schulz is the most successful comic illustrator in 
     the world.
       (7) Charles M. Schulz's television special, ``A Charlie 
     Brown Christmas'', has run for 34 consecutive years. In all, 
     more than 60 animated specials have been created based on 
     ``Peanuts'' characters. Four feature films, 1,400 books, and 
     a hit Broadway musical about the ``Peanuts'' characters have 
     also been produced.
       (8) Charles M. Schulz is a leader in the field of comic 
     illustration and in his community. He has paved the way for 
     other artists in this field over the last 50 years and 
     continues to be praised for his outstanding achievements.
       (9) Charles M. Schulz has given back to his community in 
     many ways, including owning and operating Redwood Empire Ice 
     Arena in Santa Rosa, California. The arena has become a 
     favorite gathering spot for people of all ages. Charles M. 
     Schulz finances a yearly ice show that draws crowds from all 
     over the San Francisco Bay Area.
       (10) Charles M. Schulz has given the Nation a unique sense 
     of optimism, purpose, and pride. Whether through the Great 
     Pumpkin Patch, the Kite Eating Tree, Lucy's Psychiatric Help 
     Stand, or Snoopy's adventures with the Red Baron, ``Peanuts'' 
     has embodied human vulnerabilities, emotions, and potential.
       (11) Charles M. Schulz's lifetime of work has linked 
     generations of Americans and has become a part of the fabric 
     of our national culture.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized 
     to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of 
     appropriate design to Charles M. Schulz in recognition of his 
     lasting artistic contributions to the Nation and the world.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
     emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
     Secretary.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the 
     Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the 
     gold medal struck under section 2 at a price sufficient to 
     cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, 
     dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the cost of 
     the gold medal.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       The medals struck under this Act are national medals for 
     purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

[[Page H386]]

     SEC. 5. FUNDING AND PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authorization.--There is hereby authorized to be 
     charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund 
     an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the 
     medals authorized by this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in 
     the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with mixed emotions. 
It is with great pride and honor that I support awarding Charles M. 
Schulz the Congressional Gold Medal. However, as we all know, Mr. 
Schulz, the creator of the beloved comic strip Peanuts, died last 
Saturday, February 12, at his home in Santa Rosa, California, at the 
age of 77. Therefore, I stand before my colleagues with great sadness.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) 
for introducing this most appropriate piece of legislation. Congress 
has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national 
appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Without 
a doubt, Mr. Schulz has earned this great honor.
  Mr. Schulz first introduced his legendary Peanuts cartoon to us in 
October of 1950. It was then that the world became acquainted with such 
characters as Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and others.
  Like millions of other Americans, I often felt as though I knew the 
man personally, having read and watched his cartoons for as long as I 
can remember. I believe that I knew the man as only a life-long fan 
could know him, through his work. I am extremely appreciative of Mr. 
Schulz and his creation of the Peanut gang.
  For almost 50 years, he provided us with endless hours of humor, 
entertainment. His cartoons and characters will live with us forever.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3642, introduced by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), a bill to award a gold medal 
to a man who was a friend to the entire Nation, Charles M. Schulz. 
Peanuts was both a national treasure and a national delight. Every 
morning for almost half a century, America awoke to read the newspapers 
and millions of eyes turned to the pages where Charlie Brown, Lucy, 
Snoopy, and Linus lived.
  Yet, it was not only Americans who took in the bounty of the strip's 
tender humor and sage advice. Worldwide, the best estimate is a global 
audience of 355 million fans. They were in 75 countries, read in 2,600 
newspapers, and spoke 21 languages.
  Then there were the spin-offs. Beginning in the 1960s, a Charlie 
Brown Christmas; It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, were among the 
television specials. In an era where relentless violence is the main 
fare of television programming, how welcome to find true amusement in 
good taste, where the most dangerous party is either a girl who pulls 
away the football just before the kick or a fantasy Red Baron.
  There were songs and even a musical, You Are a Good Man, Charlie 
Brown.
  Peanuts was not easy, slapstick humor. Long-time readers know there 
was real substance about the disappointments in life. However, it was 
also about the great line, Happiness Is a Warm Puppy, which for 
millions of children and their parents had that ring about what truly 
makes life worthwhile.
  Most in this chamber will be surprised that the spell of Peanuts so 
bedeviled theologians, philosophers, and psychiatrists that weighty 
books and articles were written probing the true meanings of the comic 
strip. They all found something of great worth, sometimes a brooding 
worth, all of which is fine. But for most of the adults we simply 
reveled in how four or five small cartoon frames Schulz could pack so 
much humor, joy, sadness and irony, all of the elements of great 
expression.
  However, the whole production of Peanuts cartoons, films, musicals, 
books and even the dolls had special allure for children. Schulz had no 
problem communicating across many generations from when the first 
Peanut strip appeared half a century ago. I suspect one of his 
attractions to the young was that he was so easy to read and so direct. 
There was also Linus' security blanket. It gave the young the idea that 
through it all there are things, lasting things, to hold on to.
  The books were just great reading instructors for millions of 
children that were nonviolent, but not just a bowl of cheer.
  Mr. Speaker, for years now I have worn about three different Peanuts 
ties. I wear one today. I do not think I have ever worn a Peanuts tie 
when it has not been commented upon and it has not lit up someone's 
day. It is almost impossible to see a Peanuts tie and not smile, not 
feel some warmth, some empathy. That was the effect of Charlie Schulz.
  We are all familiar with his fame, but I would like also to remind 
all that Schulz had served his country on the battlefields of World War 
II. He never forgot he was a veteran, and served as head of the fund-
raising campaign for the National D-Day Memorial. He had the grit to be 
a good hockey player; the mathematical skill to be a fine bridge 
enthusiast; and the devotion it takes to teach Sunday school and 
deliver sermons.
  Rarely can a man be called a global social institution; but in 
Charles M. Schulz' case, that is surely just what he was when he died 
after 77 years of phenomenal productivity and contribution. How it all 
came about will remain a mystery. A personality that large is never a 
simple book, but this much we know: in his life he did get to kick that 
football over the goal post. His work, with all its substance and wit, 
has become part of the national and global fabric and will be with us 
for a long time.
  At last, one can say, ``Thank goodness, Charlie Brown.''
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Thompson), the author of the resolution.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. 
Bachus), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), along with the 
308 cosponsors who supported this legislation, and for their assistance 
in bringing this bill to the floor today. It means a great deal to Mr. 
Schulz's family. It means a great deal to me, and it means a great deal 
to the community that I have the honor to represent that has had the 
honor to share that community with Sparky Schulz.

                              {time}  1200

  I would also like to thank my California colleague, Senator Dianne 
Feinstein, who has introduced the identical bill in the Senate to make 
sure that this gold medal does come to fruition.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill before us today is not about honoring a 
cartoonist who made us laugh and think but, rather, about honoring a 
lifetime of work that has transcended generations of Americans and has 
become the fabric of our national culture. We have adopted his 
characters as our own, and sometimes even as ourselves. Through them he 
provided us a uniquely American sense of optimism, purpose, and pride.
  While many other pop figures reflect our fantasies, Sparky Schulz's 
characters, like Charlie Brown, reflected who we really are. Charles 
Schulz created the Peanuts comic strip in October of 1950, and he 
personally drew every single daily and Sunday strip. Peanuts appeared 
in 2,600 newspapers around the world and reached approximately 355 
million readers every day, and they came in some 20 different 
languages.
  Sparky Schulz gave us more than just Peanuts. Most notable was his 
work with the Regional Organization Canine Companion. This wonderful 
organization breeds, raises, trains, and places dogs with individuals 
who are limited by disabilities. Along with his wife Jeanne, Sparky led 
and, in large part, personally financed the construction and the 
operation of the Canine Companion's facility in Sonoma County, 
California. Here dogs are introduced

[[Page H387]]

to individuals with disabilities and together they are trained to work 
with each other, forming a lifetime partnership and friendship.
  He also built a great ice rink in Santa Rosa, California, an ice rink 
that loses almost $1 million a year. But he did it to give something to 
the community. And just a side note. In that ice rink he stored many 
hundreds of folding beds. Just in case there was ever a disaster in his 
community, people would have a place to come, a place to stay, and a 
place to receive shelter.
  Sparky Schulz' public service and service to our Nation did not begin 
with Peanuts or with the Canine Companion. It started when he served as 
a staff sergeant in the United States Army during World War II fighting 
on the front lines in France immediately after the D-Day invasion. To 
help keep morale high, Sparky Schulz would often decorate the letters 
of fellow soldiers, letters that they were sending back home to their 
families, with cartoon characters depicting barracks life or 
battlefield life.
  Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon, remarked yesterday 
about our great loss, the loss of Sparky Schulz. He said, ``It's the 
end of an era, and it is hard to imagine that cartooning will ever be 
the same. In basketball, you can say that Michael Jordan was the 
greatest ever. In cartooning, Charles Schulz was the greatest ever, and 
probably the greatest there will ever be.''
  We will never forget Snoopy's imagination, Lucy's cynicism, Linus' 
gentle innocence, Woodstock's loyalty, or Charlie Brown's 
vulnerabilities, hopes, and dreams. Sparky's gift to our Nation were 
characters who spoke with clarity about those simple fleeting moments 
that bind us together, bind together our adulthood and our childhood, 
those simple and honest sparks about what it means to be a human being.
  I thank everyone who is going to take part in making this gold medal 
a reality, and I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this gold 
medal resolution; and I say, ``Farewell and thank you,'' to Charles 
Schulz.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). The gentleman from New York 
(Mr. LaFalce) has 10 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from Oklahoma 
(Mr. Lucas) has 18\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Sabo).
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and it is with great sadness that I learned of the recent death 
of Charles Schulz. During his lifetime this native Minnesotan touched 
countless lives through his wonderful creation, the Peanuts comic 
strip.
  Since 1950, when Peanuts was first published, until this past Sunday, 
when the last Peanuts comic strip appeared, Americans young and old 
have been entertained by the aventures and foibles of Charlie Brown, 
Linus, Lucy, and Snoopy. Through each of these lovable human characters 
Charles Schulz reached out to all of us, teaching us important life 
lessons.
  Through Charlie Brown's failed efforts to lead his team to victory in 
the neighborhood baseball game, we learned that winning is not 
everything. At the same time, his repeated attempts to kick the 
football out of Lucy's hands, while never succeeding, helped teach us 
the importance of never giving up hope.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the efforts of my colleague, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Thompson), to recognize Charles Schulz with a 
Congressional Gold Medal. I am so proud that this gifted artist hails 
from the Twin Cities. For the many values Charles Schulz taught us, for 
the enjoyment he brought to our homes, and for the way he touches so 
many of our hearts, it is only fitting that we offer our thanks.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Sonoma County, California (Ms. Woolsey).
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time. On Saturday night, millions of Americans lost their security 
blanket. Life will not be the same without Charles Schulz. The touching 
human stories he told every day through the Peanuts characters in his 
cartoons gave us such warmth that old and young understood how Linus 
felt holding his trusty blanket.
  Now our friend is gone, and we will have to rely on memoirs. 
Fortunately, Charles Schulz left us plenty of these. I knew Sparky as a 
silver-haired man who spent time every week at Redwood Empire Ice Arena 
in Santa Rosa, California, located in my district. I also knew him as a 
hard-working artist who traveled from his home in the district of my 
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), to his studio 
in Santa Rosa.
  But my colleague from California and I are not the only people who 
shared Charles Schulz; neither is our colleague, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), who represents the district that Charles Schulz 
was born and raised in. Charles Schulz left a piece of himself with 
every single person whose day was brightened by one of his cartoons. We 
let Peanuts into our lives on a daily basis, and the cartoon characters 
came to feel like a part of our families.
  Like so many Americans and people around the world, I delighted in 
following the ups and downs of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the 
rest of the gang. My kids grew up on Peanuts. In fact, my daughter's 
first Christmas, her very favorite, favorite gift that she has probably 
ever had, was ``Noopy.'' She carried ``Noopy'' around on her shoulder 
for about a week, and ``Noopy'' is still in a trunk, cherished, in our 
garage.
  In a way, we all grew up with Peanuts; learning a little something 
about ourselves and about life from those lovingly drawn cartoons: 
Learning humility, learning to win, learning to lose, learning to care, 
learning to express ourselves through the eyes of these children in his 
cartoons. It was through Charles Schulz's characters that we felt his 
spirit, and it is through those characters that his spirit will live 
on.
  Beyond the pages of America's newspapers, Charles Schulz also touched 
the lives of his friends and neighbors in Santa Rosa. Our children are 
better off for the smiles they shared at his ice rink. Our community is 
stronger for the friendliness he added to it. It is only fitting that a 
man who has touched so many lives be awarded the Congressional Gold 
Medal.
  It is with great pride that I have worked with the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Thompson) to secure the high honor for Charles Schulz. 
I only wish that he had lived long enough to receive this award 
himself. But I know that wherever he is today, Sparky is smiling just 
to know that his dream of drawing cartoons has given so many people the 
pleasure of laughter. I look forward to a unanimous vote for this 
Congressional Gold Medal for Charles Schulz today.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Peanuts gang, created by Mr. Schulz, has and will 
continue to honor and entertain millions of children and adults 
throughout the world. The Peanuts gang was a fabulous bunch to observe. 
We all hoped that one day Snoopy would finally catch the dreaded Red 
Baron. Millions of Americans would turn to the comics every morning to 
see if it was the day that Pig Pen would finally find the washroom. We 
all wished we could receive the advice that Lucy often provided for 
only a nickel. And, of course, everyone knew that someday, someday, 
Charlie Brown would kick the football straight through the uprights.
  However, these things never did, and now will never, happen. That was 
the beauty of Charles Schulz and the cartoon he created. This group of 
children captivated our imagination for 50 years. They provided heart 
warming tales of everyday life along with humorous adventures. Mr. 
Schulz was the genius behind this American icon that allowed us to take 
a step back and enjoy the world around us.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Iowa (Mr. Leach), the chairman of the full committee.

[[Page H388]]

  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise simply to thank my distinguished 
colleague from Oklahoma and my distinguished friend from New York for 
this very thoughtful presentation.
  Charles Schulz had a greater impact on the life of America than 
perhaps all but a very few in literature and the arts. He brought to 
America something that is unique. He conveyed to the average American 
real human life and theology of a very deep human nature.
  We at one time almost had the ``Gospel According to Peanuts.'' But 
the one aspect of the ``Gospel According to Peanuts'' that always 
struck me was that life was happy; that the traumas that we all face 
were traumas that could be resolved in an uplifting way in which the 
American circumstance was reflected to ourselves and to the world.
  Charles Schulz, in many ways, when it comes to the creative arts, was 
the quintessential American artist, operating in a fashion of bringing 
art to the public and literature and theology and philosophy to 
America. And for this he is a treasure of this last century, and we all 
are deeply saddened at his passing.
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, it was with great sadness that I learned of 
the recent death of Charles Schulz.
  During his lifetime, this native Minnesotan touched countless lives 
through his wonderful creation, the ``Peanuts'' comic strip.
  Since 1950--when ``Peanuts'' was first published--until this past 
Sunday--when the last ``Peanuts'' comic strip appeared--Americans young 
and old have been entertained by the adventures and foibles of Charlie 
Brown, Linus, Lucy, and Snoopy.
  Through each of these lovably human characters, Charles Schulz 
reached out to all of us, teaching us important life lessons.
  Through Charlie Brown's failed efforts to lead his team to victory in 
the neighborhood baseball game, we learn that winning isn't everything. 
At the same time, his repeated attempts to kick the football out of 
Lucy's hands--while never succeeding--help teach us the importance of 
never giving up hope.
  Mr. Speaker, I support my colleague Mike Thompson's efforts to 
recognize Charles Schulz with the Congressional Gold Medal.
  I am so proud that this gifted artist hails from the Twin Cities. For 
the many values Charles Schulz taught us, for the enjoyment he brought 
to our homes, and for the way he touched so many of our hearts, it is 
only fitting that we offer our thanks.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3642.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________