[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SIXTH 
                                 SENSE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate M. Night 
Shyamalan on the success of his film, the Sixth Sense. This film was 
recently nominated for an Academy Award for best picture of the year, 
and Mr. Shyamalan, a resident of Conshohocken in the 13th congressional 
district of Pennsylvania, was nominated for best director and best 
screenplay. I would like to recognize Mr. Shyamalan for his superior 
work in the field of filmmaking and writing.
  Mr. Shyamalan's career did not begin with The Sixth Sense. Growing up 
in Montgomery County, in the suburbs of Philadelphia, his early passion 
for filmmaking began at the age of eight, when he was given his first 
super eight camera. By the age of 10, filmmaking had captured his 
heart. It was then that he started making short films, finishing forty-
five by the age of 16. In 1992, following NYU film school, he made his 
first independent film, Praying With Anger, which he wrote, directed, 
starred in and produced. His next film was Wide Awake, which was set in 
his hometown of Philadelphia and was also successful. His third feature 
film, The Sixth Sense, became a surprise hit in the summer of 1999, 
ranking second in box office earnings. Recently, he also wrote the 
screenplay for Stuart Little.
  The Sixth Sense is an incredible film that is surreal, emotional, 
entertaining and mystifying. The movie showcases the great city of 
Philadelphia, celebrating many of its wonderful facets. In addition to 
the Academy Award nominations, Mr. Shyamalan has been nominated for the 
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay, a Directors 
Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in 
Motion Pictures, a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay, and he won a 
Golden Satellite Award for Best Screenplay.
  Even with his success, Mr. Shyamalan handles himself with grace and 
humility. He has established a reputation for integrity and commitment 
to his community. He has creative and innovative approaches to 
filmmaking that have set him apart as a leader in the entertainment 
community. He has given us a sense of appreciation of the greater 
Philadelphia area in a unique and truly special film. We look forward 
to his next movie, Unbreakable, which has also been filmed in 
Philadelphia, and is due out soon. I know we will be hearing a lot more 
from M. Night Shyamalan in the future and I wish him much success.

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