[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8977-H8979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BOB HOPE POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3011) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, 
California, as the ``Bob Hope Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3011

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. BOB HOPE POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 135 East Olive Avenue in Burbank, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``Bob Hope 
     Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the Bob Hope Post Office Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?

[[Page H8978]]

  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, this House justifiably honors 
numerous Americans each Congress, many of whom we know well and others 
who are less famous; but we may never pay tribute to anyone who 
selflessly devoted more time and energy toward promoting the general 
welfare in this country than the incomparable Bob Hope.
  This legislation, H.R. 3011, introduced by the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff), designates the postal facility in Burbank, 
California, as the Bob Hope Post Office Building, and all 53 members of 
the California State delegation have signed on as cosponsors of this 
legislation.
  Bob Hope lived a wonderful life that spanned one full century. 
Towards the end of his life he was perhaps the biggest giant in the 
American entertainment industry; and whether it was vaudeville or 
Broadway, TV, movies or radio, America grew up with Bob Hope during the 
20th century, and we laughed all the way.

                              {time}  1515

  The legendary star of radio, television and film was born in Eltham, 
England, on May 29, 1903. The Hope family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, 
when Bob was 4, and he became a United States citizen in 1920. With his 
passing on July 27, 2003, the country that he loved and gave so much to 
mourned.
  This Nation can never repay Bob Hope or his family for his commitment 
or his love of country. But with the passage of H.R. 3011, this House 
can speak for the citizens of this land in saying, ``You were a great 
American, Bob Hope. Thank you.''
  The son of a stonecutter and an aspiring singer and entertainer, Bob 
Hope exemplifies the American Dream. To supplement his income when he 
began working in his teenage years, Bob began to follow in his mother's 
footsteps by doing some singing in nearby restaurants. Finally, he 
learned the art of vaudeville, and by 1928 he had adopted his stage 
name Bob Hope.
  Bob eventually secured a variety show on NBC radio that lasted 18 
years. By 1940, it was the most widely listened-to show in America. In 
1950, he signed an exclusive TV deal which spawned a partnership that 
lasted more than 40 years and produced hundreds of programs and 
specials. On the big screen, he costarred with Hollywood legends like 
Bing Crosby, Shirley Ross, Paulette Goddard, and Dorothy Lamour during 
his movie career that lasted from the late 1930s through the Forties 
and Fifties. Before it was all over, he had starred in 75 motion 
pictures, nearly 500 television shows, and literally thousands of radio 
programs.
  However, most Americans remember Bob best for his performances for 
the U.S. troops through the United Service Organization. During the 
early years of World War II, in 1941, he visited troops stationed in 
California to tape his radio show. After doing both radio and 
television shows over nearly five decades for U.S. troops located all 
over the globe, Bob Hope performed in front of troops for the last time 
in 1990 for servicemen and women readying to fight in the Persian Gulf 
War. Over the years, he traveled to bring a little bit of home to 
American soldiers abroad in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and 
Asia.
  The gift that Bob Hope gave to the soldiers defending our freedom is 
priceless. In a time of great danger, the soldiers were entertained and 
were able to escape the trying times of their lives just for a moment. 
Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope expressed the love of a Nation for the men and 
women risking their lives for all of us back at home. He touched the 
lives of these brave men and women because he knew that they were 
fighting for us, for our freedoms.
  Bob Hope passed away at 100 years of age, and we all greatly miss 
him. But he passed away serenely one evening. In fact, to quote his 
daughter, Linda, she said, ``I don't think you could have asked for a 
more peaceful, beautiful death. And I think all the good vibes my 
father put out during his lifetime came back to take him up.''
  There is little that can be said that has not been said about what a 
wonderful person Bob was. He was given 54 honorary doctorates, the 
Congressional Medal of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, was 
inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and was even knighted by his 
native Great Britain. But today, I am sincerely proud that we have a 
chance to say just a few more words about Bob and his legacy.
  Every American owes Bob a little something for his contributions to 
the fabric of this Nation. It is certainly appropriate that this House 
give at least a little bit back to Bob Hope by naming after him this 
post office in Burbank, California, where the NBC Studios are located, 
a place we all know he spent much of his career.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote for the passage of H.R. 3011 
that commemorates the matchless life of Bob Hope, and I congratulate 
the gentleman from California for his work on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise to support H.R. 3011, that will designate the facility of 
the United States Post Office located at 135 East Olive Avenue in 
Burbank, California, as the Bob Hope post office building.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration 
of H.R. 3011, legislation naming this post office after Bob Hope. The 
bill was sponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) on 
September 4, 2003, and it has met the policy of the Committee on 
Government Reform and has been cosponsored by the entire California 
delegation.
  Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in 1903 in Eltham, England. He 
emigrated to America 4 years later. For more than 60 years, Bob Hope 
traveled around the world entertaining and supporting our military 
personnel. From World War II, to the Korean War, to the Vietnam War, 
and the Persian Gulf War Bob sang, danced, joked, comforted, and took 
picture after picture with our men and women who were fighting for our 
country. But Bob Hope did not just give of his time and his talent, he 
also gave from his heart and his pocket. Throughout his career he 
raised more than $1 billion for war relief and various other charities.
  Sadly, Bob Hope, the friend of presidents and a living legend in 
radio, TV, film, and on Broadway died at his home on July 27, 2003. 
However sad it was, he met the century figure, 100 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the late 
Bob Hope in this manner; and, as a representative of Hollywood, we will 
all cherish his memory and his works and hope that we can give back to 
humankind what he did. I urge the swift adoption of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume to simply say that this is truly a worthwhile measure, and 
I want to again commend the gentleman from California for his work on 
it. I certainly urge all my colleagues to support the passage of this 
measure.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in 
support of the Bob Hope Post Office Building Designation Act (H.R. 
3011). First I would like to thank my colleagues Adam Schiff and Howard 
Berman for introducing this bill.
  On Sunday, July 27, 2003, the world lost one of its most beloved 
comic talents when Bob Hope died of pneumonia in Taluca Lake, CA. He 
was 100.
  Though he was born in England and he grew up in Cleveland, OH, Bob 
Hope will always be a Californian. He expressed the California spirit 
that has captivated not only this country, but also the rest of the 
world in the century in which he lived.
  Witty, self reliant, innovative and an entrepreneur wrapped together 
with impeccable timing, Bob Hope spoke to Americans on many levels. He 
made us laugh, he made us think and most importantly--he made us proud 
to be Americans.
  Bob Hope's accomplishments in entertainment are well documented.
  We will miss Bob Hope the entertainer, but during times like these, 
when every morning we are abruptly reminded of the conflict in Iraq and 
the sacrifices of American men and women in the Middle East, we 
desperately miss Bob Hope the American ambassador of good will, 
humanity and humor.
  His contribution to our military will be irreplaceable. It was his 
gestures that have made the greatest impact to our troops, to our 
Nation and to all our citizens that applauded him as he entertained our 
troops overseas.
  His decades of support to our troops, his presence oversees, made us 
all feel better

[[Page H8979]]

back home. We couldn't be there, but Bob Hope was. He knew the 
sacrifices our men and women made and he let our brave men and women 
know that we supported them back home.
  Bob Hope is already missed.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the most 
beloved and recognizable talents in the world. Bob Hope is regarded as 
a gifted entertainer, with an unmistakable ability to bring laughter 
and joy to persons of all ages; however, he was also an ambassador of 
hope to our men and women overseas.
  It is with great honor that I stand before you today, and bring to 
the Floor, House Resolution 3011, a resolution cosponsored by all of my 
colleagues from California. This legislation will honor Bob Hope's many 
contributions to veterans, active duty troops, the field of 
entertainment and the greater Los Angeles community, by naming the 
Burbank, CA, Main Post Office for him.
  Born in Eltham, England, on May 29, 1903, Bob Hope seemed to be 
destined to entertain. From impersonating Charlie Chaplin in front of 
the neighborhoods firehouse in Cleveland as a young boy, to celebrating 
an unprecedented 60 years with NBC in 1996, Hope's entertainment 
persona has been evident in every decade of the 20th century.
  An avid golfer, Bob Hope had been quoted as saying, ``Golf is my 
profession. I tell jokes to pay my green fees.'' Most notably, he 
developed and hosted the Bob Hope/Chrysler Classic, a pro am tournament 
held annually in Palm Springs, CA. Over four decades later, the Classic 
draws the most famous pros and celebrity amateurs, and it has gone on 
to raise over $35 million for the Eisenhower Medical Center and 70 
other various charities.
  What separated Bob Hope from other beloved celebrities was his 
unwavering commitment to bringing smiles and hope to American 
servicemen and servicewomen overseas. For nearly six decades, during 
times of war and peace, Hope traveled to countless countries to 
entertain the troops. Affectionately referred to as ``G.I. Bob,'' Bob 
Hope became a fixture on the U.S.O. stage.
  In May of 1941, Bob Hope performed for U.S. Troops at March Field, 
CA, beginning a legendary tradition of military performances. During 
World War II, he performed almost all of his weekly radio shows from 
American military bases around the U.S. and in the theaters of war. In 
his support of our troops, he traveled to England, Ireland, Africa, 
Sicily, and the South Pacific. After the war, he continued his 
commitment to freedom and humor with a Christmas show for troops 
supporting the Berlin airlift. During the 1970s, he brought joy to 
weary soldiers with Christmas shows at bases or veterans' hospitals 
throughout Vietnam. 1983 took him to Beirut, and in 1987 he traveled 
around the world to entertain troops in the Pacific, Atlantic, and 
Indian Oceans.
  His globetrotting commitment to entertainment is unsurpassed, in 
peacetime or in war. The Navy has honored him with a class of ships in 
his name. Not to be outdone, the Air Force named a C-17 The Spirit of 
Bob Hope. When I was in Iraq in August, I visited a commissary named 
after Bob Hope and saw first hand how much his visits to the troops 
meant to them. Our Nation's only honorary veteran, Bob Hope's legacy 
will be that of a wartime and peacetime soldier, always fighting to 
bring a smile and a piece of home to U.S. troops around the world.
  John Steinbeck once said of Bob Hope, ``It is impossible to see how 
he can do so much, can cover so much ground, can work so hard and be so 
effective.''
  Former Burbank mayor Michael Hastings said to Hope, ``He was as large 
in this community as he was in the world, and I think Burbank has been 
a great beneficiary.'' It seems only fitting that a city that served 
such an instrumental role in Bob Hope's life, return that honor by 
naming its historic post office after the entertainer.
  Hope's ties to the city of Burbank, CA were numerous. In 1973, he was 
named the city's honorary mayor, and in 1989, the city renamed a 
portion of Catalina Street near NBC studios to Bob Hope Drive. In April 
of 1993, those studios were dedicated in honor of Hope's 90th birthday 
and his more than 50-year association with the network. Donating more 
than $1 million to the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation 
in Burbank, Hope also helped raise money to build a veteran's monument 
in the city, by performing at the Starlight Bowl in 1987.
  By naming the Burbank, CA Main Post Office for Bob Hope, we will 
remember him for his talent and honor him for his extraordinary impact 
on the lives of our troops. With the release of his very first feature 
film, ``The Big Broadcast of 1938,'' ``Thanks for the Memory,'' became 
Hope's signature song. Earning an Academy Award, the song will forever 
remind us of the legendary Bob Hope. The classic Hope song ends with 
the words, ``Aw' fly glad I met you, cheerio, and toodle-oo and thank 
you so much.''
  We thank you Mr. Bob Hope, for all the memories.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of naming a post 
office for Bob Hope near his hometown of Toluca Lake. This is a small 
tribute for a man who has given so much to our country.
  Bob Hope was a man who knew no boundaries. He certainly did not heed 
geographic borders, performing for soldiers in all corners of the 
world. Starting in 1941, he headlined USO shows in the South Pacific, 
Africa, Europe and the Middle East, entertaining millions of soldiers 
and bringing laughter to the most desolate places on Earth.
  Bob Hope did not recognize boundaries of time, charming audiences of 
civilians and soldiers for over sixty years. His first ``last Christmas 
tour'' was in 1972, yet into the 1990's he could be found performing 
for troops in Saudi Arabia during ``Operation Desert Storm.'' No other 
entertainer has given so much for so long.
  Bob Hope's life also eclipsed the boundaries of entertainment. His 
career covered every field of entertainment, from vaudeville to 
Broadway, radio to television and film to stand-up. His signature song 
``Thanks for the Memories'' won an Academy Award. Although he never won 
an Oscar himself, Bob Hope hosted the Oscars a record 18 times and was 
awarded two honorary Oscars.
  On May 29, 2003, America mourned Bob Hope's death at the age of 100. 
Although he starred in more than fifty films, he may be most remembered 
for his role as an honorary veteran. This honor, the only one ever 
awarded, was bestowed on him for his commitment to our armed services. 
While America could never repay Bob Hope for his service to our 
country, H.R. 3011 will continue a fine tradition of honoring an 
exemplary citizen. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3011.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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