[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE AVALON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to musician, vocalist, 
actor, community advocate and friend Frankie Avalon.
  Frankie Avalon is a show business icon. In some ways he is also a 
show business anomaly. Frankie Avalon has been the loving husband of 43 
years to Kathryn, and the devoted father to his eight children, four 
boys and four girls. He is also a firm believer in giving back to his 
community. A resident of the city of Thousand Oaks in my district, he 
will exhibit that quality once again when he appears as Master of 
Ceremonies at the Awards Dinner following Monday's 2nd Annual Michael 
DiRaimondo Foundation Golf Tournament and Silent Auction.
  U.S. Army medic Michael DiRaimondo died when his medical helicopter 
crashed in Iraq after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in 
January 2004. His parents, Tony and Carol, launched the foundation to 
provide scholarships to those who wish to become paramedics, a dream of 
their son. Frankie Avalon's participation in the event has raised its 
profile and has helped ensure the event was sold out.
  Frankie Avalon began his show business career as a child growing up 
in Philadelphia, where his father inspired in him a love of playing the 
trumpet. By the time he was 12, Frankie Avalon was performing on 
national television. He also formed a dance band with another young 
musician, drummer Bobby Rydell. His first hit, ``De De Dinah,'' which 
he performed on Dick Clark's ``American Bandstand,'' sold a million 
copies just as he was turning 18. More million-record hits followed.
  In 1960, Frankie Avalon began his movie career when he co-starred 
with Alan Ladd in ``Guns of the Timberland.'' In 1963 he and Annette 
Funicello began their series of surfing movies, ``Beach Party,'' 
``Muscle Beach,'' ``Beach Blanket Bingo,'' and several others.
  Frankie Avalon continued to record during his movie-making years and 
in the summer of 1985 teamed up with Bobby Rydell and Fabian on a 
successful 50-city tour as the ``The Golden Boys of Bandstand.'' In 
1987 he re-united with Annette Funicello to parody their earlier beach 
movies with ``Back to the Beach.''
  Frankie Avalon continues to perform in nightclubs and concerts, often 
with two of his sons, one who plays guitar and one who plays drums.
  Frankie Avalon's music and movies has always presented him as a 
clean-cut, all-American boy. In his case, however, it is not a 
Hollywood facade. Frankie Avalon's success in the entertainment 
industry is equaled by his success as a husband and father and his 
success in giving back to his community.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in thanking Frankie 
Avalon for decades of entertainment and in paying tribute to him for 
retaining and promoting the American values we all hold dear.

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