[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING YAKOV SMIRNOFF ON THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS CITIZENSHIP

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                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Yakov Smirnoff, 
who will celebrate his 15th anniversary as a United States citizen on 
July 4, 2001.
  When Yakov left the Soviet Union in 1977, he arrived in the U.S. with 
less than $100 in his pocket. But like so many new immigrants, Yakov 
quickly found a way to put his talents to use in his new country--and 
in only a few years he became one of America's most recognized 
comedians.
  Yakov's brand of comedy appealed to so many Americans because it 
carried real insight. He poked fun at the daily consequences of Soviet 
tyranny, while displaying a remarkably American irreverence for our own 
foibles (``In the Soviet Union, I'd line up for three hours just to get 
a tasteless piece of meat and some stale bread; but in America, you can 
walk into any fast-food restaurant and get the same thing right 
away''). But he also reminded us of how fortunate we are to live in a 
free and democratic nation (``What a country!'' became his signature 
line). In fact, Yakov has said that his comedy has helped him ``share 
his attempts at becoming a real American with the audience.''
  Yakov's dream of becoming an American citizen was finally fulfilled 
on July 4, 1986, in a ceremony held at the Statue of Liberty. 
Describing his joy at the occasion, Yakov says: ``I suddenly had a new 
revelation. You can go to Italy but never become Italian. You can go to 
France but never become French. But you can come to America and become 
an American.''
  When freedom came to the formerly captive peoples of the Soviet 
Empire, Yakov joked that ``the end of the KGB eliminated 100 percent of 
the torture in Russia, 50 percent of the spying--and 30 percent of my 
punch lines.'' But in fact Yakov enjoys continued success in his 
comedic routines. In 1992, he moved to Branson, Missouri, where he owns 
his own comedy theater and performs to perennially sold-out shows.
  Yakov says he will continue to relish having a job that allows him to 
encourage Americans to cherish the freedom we have to laugh at 
ourselves--and yes, at our government. ``I've learned that the secret 
to being happy is discovering your gift and having the opportunity to 
share it with the world,'' he once said. ``As I found out for myself, 
it can be quite a ride before your gift defines itself and allows you 
to realize what it is.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join with me in paying tribute 
to Yakov Smirnoff on the 15th anniversary of his citizenship. He truly 
embodies what it means to be an American. As we prepare to celebrate 
the 4th of July, the United States Congress can all join with Yakov and 
say, ``What a country!''

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