[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO IRV KUPCINET--KNOWN TO MANY AS MR. CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it was virtually impossible to 
live in Chicago and not be affected by Irv Kupcinet or Kup as he was 
fondly called. Kup knew everybody who had any public presence in 
Chicago and of course, knew powerful people and celebrities from around 
the world.
  Kup was best known as a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times but was 
much more than a columnist, he was a communicator and used many mediums 
for that purpose. He had a television show, was a great emcee, was 
actively involved in civic, community, charitable and philanthropic 
activity. He was a fundraiser, a promoter, an icon, a legend.
  Kup had the ability to make use of not only himself; but he was also 
able to rely upon others in very serious and strategic ways as he did 
with his assistant for 34 years, Ms. Stella Foster.
  Kup was a creative genius who could take a mere occurrence and turn 
it into a great and glorious event. He was very open, comfortable and 
at ease with practically any and everybody. Kup grew up on the westside 
of Chicago, which is the heart of my Congressional District. He learned 
to walk with kings and queens; but never lost the common touch, yes, 
all men and women did matter with him but none too much. Over the 
years, Kup's column was distributed to more than 100 newspapers around 
the world. In 1982, he was elected to Chicago's journalism Hall of 
Fame. He broadcast Chicago Bears Football games with Jack Brickhouse 
for 24 years, he appeared in two movies and had a syndicated television 
program ``The Tonight Show,'' which ran from 1959 to 1986 and at one 
point was on 70 stations.
  Kup never forgot the community of his birth, north Lawndale in 
Chicago which had some transitions and fell upon hard times. Kup was a 
star athlete, played football on a team with former president Gerald 
Ford and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Kup was many things to 
many people, but most of all he was husband and companion to his 
beloved wife Essee, father to his children, grandfather, son to his 
parents, brother to his siblings and friend to many.
  There was nothing quite like being mentioned in Kup's column, and if 
you were on the scope, you'd eventually get there.
  Yes, Kup walked with Kings, Queens, Presidents, Stars and Captains of 
business and industry, but never lost the common touch.

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