[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8979-H8981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BOB HOPE

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 357) honoring the life and legacy of 
Bob Hope.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 357

       Whereas Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope on May 29, 
     1903, in Eltham, England, and immigrated to the United States 
     in 1907 at the age of 4;
       Whereas Bob Hope entertained America on the vaudeville 
     circuit, the Broadway stage, and in over 1,100 radio shows, 
     75 movies, and 475 television programs;
       Whereas for more than 5 decades Bob Hope entertained the 
     Nation's troops overseas with the United Service 
     Organizations (USO), putting on shows during World War II, 
     the Korea War, the Vietnam War, and the first Persian Gulf 
     War;
       Whereas during his lifetime Bob Hope donated more than 1 
     billion dollars to hospitals, charities, and civic 
     organizations;
       Whereas Bob Hope received the Congressional Gold Medal in 
     1962, in recognition of his service to his country and the 
     cause of peace, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 
     1969, in honor of his gifts of joy to all the American 
     people;
       Whereas Bob Hope's commitment to the Nation's troops was so 
     great that he was the first person ever to be recognized by 
     the United States Congress as an honorary veteran;
       Whereas Bob Hope received the Distinguished Service Medal 
     from each branch of the Armed Forces;
       Whereas Bob Hope was awarded 5 special Oscars, the George 
     Peabody Award, and more than 50 honorary degrees; and
       Whereas, on July 27, 2003, America was greatly saddened by 
     the death of Bob Hope: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors Bob Hope for his legendary career as an 
     entertainer, decades of dedicated service to the men and 
     women of the Armed Forces, and his many philanthropic and 
     humanitarian acts; and
       (2) expresses condolences on his passing to his wife 
     Dolores, their children, and grandchildren.

  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).

[[Page H8980]]

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution, of which I am a very proud cosponsor, 
honors the life and legacy of Bob Hope. He dedicated his life to the 
Nation he loved, and with House Resolution 357 we in Congress can honor 
his life.
  Bob Hope not only entertained America, he contributed to the welfare 
of our society through his generosity. He donated more than $1 billion 
to hospitals and charities and civic organizations. He donated his 
time, and he risked his life for the benefit of his fellow citizens 
serving in the Armed Forces.
  Throughout his life, he gave of himself to others. He represented the 
United States and its citizens selflessly. This Nation is blessed to 
have had the pleasure of knowing him. ``Bob, thanks for the memories.''
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Miller), the sponsor of this well-deserved 
resolution, and I commend him for his work on the resolution.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding, and I rise today as the co-chair of the Congressional USO 
Caucus to mourn the loss of the legendary entertainer Mr. Bob Hope, who 
recently passed away July 27 at the age of 100.
  The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), who is the co-chair of the 
Congressional USO Caucus, and I drafted this resolution soon after Mr. 
Hope's death in July. Incidentally, Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Reyes) regrets he is not able to be present today for this 
resolution. However, he has submitted remarks for the Congressional 
Record.
  Bob Hope had an illustrious career which included more than 1,100 
radio shows, 75 movies, and 475 television programs. He has received 
numerous accolades, as we have already heard this afternoon, including 
five special Oscars, the George Peabody Award, and more than 50 
honorary degrees. For his distinguished service, he has received the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded in 1969 in honor of his gifts of 
joy to all the American people. Most notably, Mr. Hope will be 
remembered as a selfless entertainer who was beloved by our Nation's 
Armed Forces.
  Mr. Hope told jokes and entertained our Armed Forces overseas and at 
home for more than five decades. He headlined the USO shows during 
World War II and the Persian Gulf Wars, as well as in Korea and 
Vietnam. For his unmatched commitment to our Nation's Armed Forces, Mr. 
Hope received the Distinguished Service Medal from each branch of the 
Armed Forces and is the only person, the only person to ever be 
recognized by the United States Congress as an honorary veteran.
  Mr. Hope's legacy continues today as our troops overseas are treated 
to a variety of entertainment headlined by this country's star 
performers. As a matter of fact, Drew Carey, Bruce Willis, Wayne 
Newton, and others have completed USO tours in Iraq. The tour recently 
visited 13 camps, more than 7,300 troops, with four performances, and 
signed over 3,000 autographs. From visits by NFL Cheerleaders to 
comedians, to singers, Bob Hope was the catalyst for their 
participation. These celebrities are truly committed to continue USO 
tours, even in places such as Iraq. Our troops truly appreciate the 
participation, and it makes their difficult service to our Nation more 
comfortable.
  Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope loved the USO and, more importantly, loved the 
American soldier. Bob Hope and the USO's commitment to be America's 
link with her men and women in uniform have withstood the test of time. 
With the continued dedication of the USO legion of volunteers and 
charitable support from individuals and corporations, the USO will 
provide its touch of home for as long as we have those in service to 
our country.
  So to Bob Hope and the USO, I say, ``Thanks for the memories.''
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the son of a stonemason and an aspiring concert singer, 
Bob Hope had a career that stretched across the decades. His casual 
careers included a butcher's delivery boy, a soda clerk, shoe salesman, 
pool hustler and boxer, but it was the stage where he was most at home.
  Bob Hope began performing in vaudeville in the 1920s, performing what 
he called songs, patter, and eccentric dancing. He made his Broadway 
debut in 1933 with the musical Roberta. He appeared in the 1935 
production of the Ziegfeld Follies and starred with the legendary Ethel 
Merman in a production of Cole Porter's Red Hot and Blue.
  In addition to his work on the stage, Hope landed a profitable stint 
hosting the popular Pepsodent show on NBC Radio. His program would air 
in some form or another from 1938 until the 1950s. Bob Hope's radio 
fame led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in his first film, The Big 
Broadcast of 1938. He starred in more than 50 films, but he is best 
known for the road movies with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour.
  Though Bob Hope never won a Best Actor Oscar, he has been awarded two 
honorary Academy Awards and a humanitarian award. He made his first 
appearance on television in 1947 when he headlined the inaugural 
broadcast of KTLA, the first TV station on the West Coast.

                              {time}  1530

  In the early 1950s, he appeared frequently on ``The Tonight Show'' 
with Johnny Carson and alongside Lucille Ball on her sitcom ``I Love 
Lucy.''
  Beginning in 1953, Hope hosted an annual Christmas television 
special, many of which were broadcast internationally for the sake of 
the United States troops stationed around the world. During World War 
II and the Korean and Vietnam wars and even during peacetime, Bob Hope 
toured with a number of USO shows, entertaining U.S. troops and earning 
the title of USO's Ambassador of Goodwill.
  Over his lifetime, Bob Hope has been awarded more honors than any 
other entertainer, an achievement that earned him a place in the 
``Guinness Book of Records.''
  Since 1934, Bob Hope has been married to Delores Reade, whom he met 
when they appeared together on Broadway in ``Roberta.'' The couple has 
four children.
  Our condolences go out to the Hope family and his legion of fans.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.


                             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 H. Res. 357.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Schrock). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, on July 27th, America mourned the loss of one 
of its greatest citizens when Bob Hope passed away at the age of 100. 
Our Nation came to know Bob Hope for his great career that spanned 
stage, screen, and radio. But it was his unrivaled commitment to our 
troops that made him an American hero. Hope headlined USO shows during 
World War II and the Persian Gulf War, as well as in Korea and Vietnam. 
Bob Hope is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the most 
honored entertainer in the world. He has been honored by the 
entertainment industry, the educational community, every branch of our 
armed services, and the United States Congress. He has had more than 
2,000 awards and citations for humanitarian and professional efforts 
including 54 honorary doctorate degrees, and the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom.
  In 1997, by an act of Congress, Bob Hope was made an ``honorary 
veteran.'' Upon receiving the award, Hope said, ``I've been given many 
awards in my lifetime--but to be numbered among the men and women I 
admire most--is the greatest honor I have ever received.''
  As a combat veteran myself, I was proud to welcome Bob Hope among our 
ranks. Bob Hope was a great American. He will be missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have been able to work with my friend and 
colleague, Mr. Miller, as a co-author and lead cosponsor of this 
resolution. He and I are the founding Members and co-chairs of the 
Congressional USO Caucus. I also have the benefit of serving on both 
the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs 
Committee with Mr. Miller. As the 137 Members and Senators of the 
Congressional USO Caucus, it is my hope that we will be able to support 
the mission and goals of the USO in Congress in the spirit of Bob Hope.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

[[Page H8981]]

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues today to honor and 
remember the legacy of one of the greatest entertainers, humanitarians, 
and patriots this country has ever known, Bob Hope.
  Whether it was his early vaudeville routines, his many movies, or his 
numerous television specials, Americans always knew they could count on 
Bob Hope for a good laugh. But perhaps more impressively, Bob Hope 
selflessly dedicated himself to nearly 50 years of entertaining our men 
and women in uniform. It is estimated that `G.I. Bob' performed for 
over 10 million American soldiers between World War II and Operation 
Desert Storm, an astonishing number that speaks to the depth of his 
dedication to our troops. In 1997, in recognition of his unfaltering 
commitment, Congress unanimously voted to name Bob Hope an Honorary 
Veteran--the first individual so honored in the history of the United 
States.
  I was privileged to have known Bob Hope, and have many memories of 
time spent with him and his wonderful wife, Dolores, and their family. 
When you were in his presence, you could not help but be in awe of an 
individual who was virtually unparalleled in his commitment to the 
United States of America.
  During one of his many commencement addresses, Bob Hope reminded 
graduating seniors that they would soon take up the torch of freedom 
and knowledge and that, someday, they would pass that torch, burning 
stronger and brighter, on to others. Bob Hope carried that torch for 
over 100 years and has passed on to all of us a flame that continues to 
burn as a shining example of the virtues of humor, love, and 
patriotism.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in honoring the life and 
legacy of Bob Hope.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support 
adoption of H. Res. 357. I congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Miller) for shepherding this through the committee process, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 357.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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