[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 16, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RICH SANCHEZ LEAVES WSVN AND MOVES TO MSNBC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate 
Rick Sanchez, a beloved television anchor in my district who is leaving 
WSVN Channel 7 to move on to even greater challenges nationally at 
MSNBC.
  I am sure that many of my colleagues across the Nation have seen 
Rick's reporting. My colleagues would have seen it years ago when 
watching an energetic reporter ride along with police to get the real 
story. My colleagues would have seen it when they watched a young 
roving reporter absolutely transform a newscast. My colleagues have 
seen it when they have watched a professional and genuine, but unusual, 
piece of reporting and thought, ``What the heck is happening here?''
  That is Rick Sanchez; Rick Sanchez, doing an unconventional but 
honest and impassioned style of reporting before that came into current 
fashion.
  Perhaps the name ``Rick'' really stands for ``maverick,'' for that is 
what he always has been. His unconventional ways are always talked 
about. His high-energy, in-your-face style, his use of expressive body 
language, his colorful adjectives, and his penchant for visual aids 
brought an interesting element to the traditional newscast.
  City Link Magazine voted him the best newscaster ever, saying that 
``TV has come around to Rick's style. He asks the best questions, and 
he is not afraid to speak his mind.''
  Runaway Rick has never shied from danger. He began behind-the-scenes 
police beat reporting before there was a show which seemed to start 
that trend. ``Maverick Rick'' has always been a man of firsts. He was 
the youngest reporter and anchor hired in south Florida, brought on as 
a 21-year-old, right out of the University of Minnesota in 1982.
  He was the first-ever Cuban American main anchor in south Florida, 
with the highest-rated newscast among all 10 o'clock newscasts in the 
Nation. He was the first to have a south Florida talk show. He was the 
youngest to win an Emmy for his five-part documentary, which aired 
nationwide, on Cuban American exiles. He has covered world news stories 
from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and Grenada.
  Even when reporting just from back home, Rick's unique style 
transformed you to a new place. Who can forget turning on Channel 7 
just to see what props Rick had this week? Who can forget the places he 
has been to, and the places he has taken us to?
  This has been quite a journey for the son of a factory worker and a 
dishwasher, who was born in Havana and came to Miami when he was only 2 
years old.
  Although his high-profile status has made him a local celebrity, Rick 
has remained humble and appreciative. He has been the station 
spokesperson for wonderful organizations such as Habitat for Humanity 
and DARE, the program to keep kids off drugs.
  Rick was honored by the Florida Broadcasters Association and the 
George Bush White House for his coverage of and his relief effort after 
Hurricane Andrew. Rick spearheaded an effort to move 60,000 tons of 
relief supplies while coordinating it with the U.S. Customs and U.S. 
Coast Guard.
  At heart, Rick is a nice guy and a hungry reporter whose hard work 
and determination has made him the success story that he is today. I 
have had the pleasure of knowing Rick for years and watching him grow 
up on television. I have seen his work. I know of his dedication to his 
family and of his deep service to our community.
  Mr. Speaker, as his 20-year south Florida locally based career comes 
to a close, Rick will not be forgotten by our local area. Now he will 
be shared by millions nationwide. Rick Sanchez has never been afraid to 
ask tough questions, say what is on his mind, and do whatever it takes 
to get the story and get people to speak.
  Thank you, Rick Sanchez, for taking your job seriously and making the 
news so interesting for us to watch each and every night. I wish you 
and your family, your wife Suzanne, your sons Ricky, Jr., Robert and 
Remmington, and your newly arrived daughter Savannah, a smooth 
transition and the best of luck.
  Rick, Felicidades! Y muchas gracias por tu servicio. (Thank you for 
your service.)

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