[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2362-E2363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO A.C. LYLES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, recently I had the privilege of 
visiting with a great American by the name of A.C. Lyles, who has 
befriended many celebrities over the years. Throughout the decades that 
he has worked at Paramount Pictures, A.C. Lyles has become loved by 
studio staff, by stars, and by Presidents. He has made countless 
contributions to the motion picture industry and become a legendary 
producer, writer and partners in numerous theatrical features and 
television shows.
  A.C. Lyles was born May 17, 1918 in Jacksonville, Florida. Even as a 
young boy, he

[[Page E2363]]

dreamed of Hollywood. Following his high school graduation, A.C. was 
hired by Paramount to work in the mail room. It was not long before he 
was promoted to a director of publicity at the tender age of 19, and 
eventually became a producer in 1954. Among the variety of successful 
features and television shows that he produced over the years, A.C. was 
perhaps best known for the western movies that became a Paramount 
trademark.
  As the Hollywood liaison to Presidents, A.C. brought the culture of 
art to the White House. During the administration of his close friend, 
Ronald Reagan, and throughout the Bush Administration, he brought 
celebrities to entertain at presidential functions. He also served on 
the Presidential Board of Advisors on Private Sector Initiatives and 
regularly attended meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill.
  A.C. has been recognized countless times over the years for his work 
at Paramount. These awards include the famed Golden Spurs award, the 
George Washington Award of the Freedoms Foundation, and a star on the 
Hollywood Walk of Fame. On behalf of the United States Congress, and 
his good friends the Hon. David Dreier and the Hon. Mary Bono, I am 
pleased to recognize his extraordinary career once again in admiration 
of his unyielding dedication and unparalleled achievement.