[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, ``Ladies and gentlemen, boys and 
girls of all ages, welcome to the greatest show on earth! The Ringling 
Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is proud to present Gunther 
Gebel-Williams.''
  These words were spoken all across the world for the past quarter of 
a century reaching the ears of an estimated 200 million people, 
introducing the greatest animal trainer that has ever lived. Gunther 
Gebel-Williams has recently passed away, but his memory will live on in 
the minds of the millions of men, women and children that came to see 
this amazing man and his dangerous performances. There were 1,500 
people that attended his funeral to pay their respects in his adopted 
home town of Venice.
  Gunther Gebel-Williams began his career at the age of 12 in WWII 
Germany and he later joined the Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1968 only 
to make his first American debut on Jan. 6, 1969. From that first debut 
in 1969 until his last in 1989 he never missed a show, totaling 12,000 
consecutive performances. Kenneth Feld memorialized Gunther Gebel-
Williams by saying ``He was unlike any performer anywhere. When he 
entered the circus arena, whether caring a Roman Post on galloping 
horses or atop an elephant, every eye was always on him until he left 
the floor.'' When Gunther Gebel-Williams was not performing he would 
often put on a pair of his old boots and help to sweep the floor.
  He loved and cared for the animals like a father. At Gunther's 
funeral Dr. Richard Houch a retired veterinarian, told the audience of 
his devotion to animals stating, ``He would watch baby tigers and 
leopards playing to figure out what they could do best in the act. He 
knew the personality, disposition and idiosyncrasies of every animal.'' 
He was an amazing man who was not only loved by the animals but also by 
his fans and friends. I believe that the world has lost a legend and my 
congressional district a good citizen. He will be missed greatly.

                          ____________________