[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF LYRICIST HAL DAVID

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                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2001

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take note of the 80th 
birthday of lyricist Hal David, whose work has produced some of the 
most enduring musical moments of the century and brought immense 
pleasure to generations of music lovers.
  Few people probably realize how many of the words to songs they know 
and love were written by Hal David. Between '62 and '72, his lyrics 
were everywhere. Artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, the Pet Shop 
Boys, Manic Street Preachers, Prince and Elvis Costello cite his work 
as being influential to their own.
  Millions of people have been enchanted by the work of this master 
wordsmith. We have all smiled at the wit and wisdom in the words to 
``Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head'', ``Do You Know the Way to San 
Jose'', ``What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love'', ``Always 
Something There to Remind Me'', and many many others. Hal's lyrics are 
clever, but come straight from the heart and shine with honesty and 
sincerity.
  To say that Hal has been repeatedly honored for his talent is to make 
an understatement of some magnitude: ``Raindrops'' won an Academy 
Award, three other of his songs were nominated for Oscars, several more 
are in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and more than 20 won gold records. His 
work, of course, has earned him a special spot in the Songwriters' Hall 
of Fame, which he now serves as Chairman of the Board.
  Filmgoers are very familiar with his work. The lyrics for the scores 
to ``Alfie'', ``What's New Pussycat'', ``The Man Who Shot Liberty 
Valance'', and ``Moonraker'', among others are his. Together with his 
long-time collaborator Burt Bacharach, he wrote six songs featured in 
``My Best Friend's Wedding.'' His Broadway show, ``Promises, Promises'' 
was awarded a Grammy and nominated for a Tony award.
  The sheer volume of classic popular songs that bear his name is 
breathtaking and his hits are really too numerous to list.
  Not content with just making music, Hal's years have been filed with 
service to civic and charitable organizations on both the East and the 
West coasts. He has contributed his valuable time to the New York City 
Food Bank and the Artist's Committee for Kennedy Center Honors. He is a 
Founder of the Los Angeles Music Center and a member of the Board of 
Governors of Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
  As a past President and current member of the Board of Directors of 
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), he is 
known for his work on the protection of intellectual property and the 
preservation of artists' rights.
  It's hard to imagine that an artist of his accomplishments could be 
an unassuming, friendly guy, but Hal David is one of the nicest 
individuals imaginable. I'm sure you will all want to join me in 
thanking him for all the joy his music has brought to our lives and in 
wishing him many happy returns and very best wishes.

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