[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 151 (Tuesday, November 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H10177-H10178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BOB HOPE MEMORIAL LIBRARY

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 323) to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third 
floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island 
in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 232

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

     SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION.

       The Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis 
     Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New 
     York Harbor, shall be known and redesignated as the ``Bob 
     Hope Memorial Library''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Ellis Island 
     Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration 
     Museum referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 323, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), 
designates the library on the third floor of the Ellis Island museum as 
the Bob Hope Memorial Library.
  Bob Hope arrived as an immigrant to Ellis Island in 1908 at the age 
of 4. Later, he became one of the country's greatest entertainers and 
was sometimes referred to as ``America's most famous immigrant.''
  H.R. 323 simply renames the library on the third floor of the 
immigration station museum. The Hope family is supportive of the effort 
to redesignate the library.
  I urge adoption of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained pretty much the 
purpose of H.R. 323, which was introduced by our colleague from New 
York (Mr. Engel).
  Bob Hope and his family immigrated to the United States in 1908, and 
like millions of other immigrants entered the United States through 
Ellis Island. As all of us know and many of us have had the opportunity 
to enjoy, Bob Hope went on to have an illustrious career as a comedic 
entertainer and is remembered by many for his work over nearly six 
decades traveling the globe to entertain American servicemen and -
women.
  Mr. Speaker, we wholeheartedly support H.R. 323 as a means to honor 
the contributions of a great entertainer and great American and urge 
the adoption of the legislation by the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to our colleague 
from New York (Mr. Engel), the sponsor of the bill.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin 
Islands for yielding time to me, and I thank the gentlewoman from 
Colorado as well and I want to thank the Speaker for the opportunity to 
talk about H.R. 323, which is what was mentioned before, a bill which 
will name the third-floor library at Ellis Island in New York Harbor as 
the Bob Hope Memorial Library.
  I would also like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly) for his assistance and support of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, most Americans remember Bob Hope for his work in the 
entertainment business, as a comedian, actor, dancer, singer, as well 
as his work with American troops abroad; but what few know or remember 
about Bob Hope is that he was an immigrant from England.
  The gentlewoman mentioned he came to the United States when he was 
only

[[Page H10178]]

4 years old, and certainly he is referred to as America's most famous 
immigrant whose life epitomizes the American Dream.
  I would like to also take this opportunity to vent my frustration a 
little bit with the National Park Service and its handling of this 
legislation.
  We need to pass this bill. I read in Congressional Quarterly that the 
National Park Service does not support the bill on the grounds that Bob 
Hope's journey through Ellis Island and his life's accomplishments may 
not be enough to warrant renaming the island's library in his honor.
  I want to say that they presented that same sort of testimony before 
the committee; and the committee had the good sense, in a bipartisan 
fashion, to reject that kind of thinking, because this is something 
that is very deserving for Bob Hope because, after all, it is Bob Hope. 
Everyone knows Bob Hope and everyone knows what he stood for. Bob Hope 
embodies the American Dream, and the Ellis Island Restoration 
Commission even called naming the library a fitting tribute.
  After a long period of restoration, Ellis Island was turned into a 
museum in 1990 for people to come and remember the 16 million 
immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954 to pursue 
the American Dream.

                              {time}  1445

  When I talk about Ellis Island and the immigrants who came through 
Ellis Island, it is very personal because all four of my grandparents 
came through Ellis Island, and so many Americans had family coming 
through Ellis Island. It is estimated that some 40 percent of the 
current United States population has roots in Ellis Island. So this is 
a very fitting thing that we do today in memory of Bob Hope.
  Like many of the other 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis 
Island, Bob Hope arrived in America with little. Bob Hope described 
himself upon arrival as ``a 4-year-old boy in knickers who had no idea 
of the opportunities that lay ahead.'' He went on to become a household 
name in the United States and around the world as well.
  After arriving in the United States, the Hope family moved to Ohio, 
and he later started his career in radio. He moved on to appear in 
numerous movies and Broadway plays. He is perhaps best known, however, 
for his unwavering commitment to entertaining our Nation's military 
overseas. Who can ever forget all the various Bob Hope shows at 
Christmas and Thanksgiving and all throughout the year entertaining our 
troops in harm's way?
  For nearly six decades, often during holidays, from World War II all 
the way through the Persian Gulf War, Bob Hope traveled the globe, 
bringing a little bit of America to U.S. troops during times of war and 
peace. Troops abroad even called him ``G.I. Bob,'' and in 1997 Congress 
even named him as an honorary veteran for all the work he did with 
veterans serving overseas.
  Bob Hope has been honored in many ways for his work. In fact, the 
family tells us he has been honored with over 1,500 awards. Some 
notable awards include several Academy Awards, obviously; a 
Congressional Gold Medal in 1962; an Emmy; and a Golden Globe.
  Despite all the awards Bob Hope received, he had a special place in 
his heart for Ellis Island, and in 1990 when the Ellis Island 
Restoration Commission suggested naming the third floor library of the 
museum in his honor, he stated that it would be ``one of the single 
most important highpoints in my career.''
  Sadly, Bob Hope passed away in 2003 at the age of 100 and did not see 
this project finished. So the Bob Hope Memorial Library will serve as a 
daily reminder to Ellis Island's visitors of Bob Hope's great 
contributions to the American people, American culture, and the 
American dream.
  Mr. Speaker, I have a letter from Bob Hope expressing his support of 
the museum as well as a letter from the Ellis Island Restoration 
Commission expressing their support for this project which I will 
include for the Record.
  In conclusion, I want to just say I know that everyone supports this 
and I trust this will pass unanimously because, after all, this is Bob 
Hope.

                                                      May 3, 1991.
     Mr. Philip Lax, President,
     Mr. Norman Liss, Chairman of Development,
     Ellis Island Restoration Commission,
     New York, NY 10005.
       Dear Phil and Norman: As you well know, I am very honored 
     to be part of the Family Heritage Center at Ellis Island.
       However, with my trip to Saudi Arabia at Christmas, two 
     television specials and a hectic schedule, I have not been 
     able to fully express my enthusiasm for the project. 
     Enthusiasm, by the way, which is greater than ever.
       Is it possible that I can meet with you and Ann Belkov of 
     Ellis Island along with Alan Prigge and his associate 
     Friedman to discuss details of the campaign and/or a news 
     conference?
       I'll be in New York from June 12-16 and hope we can all 
     meet during that period at my Garden City Hotel suite to go 
     over the important details. Or, would you like to set a press 
     conference date hosted by Secretary Lujan?
       Once again, the Ellis Island recognition is very special to 
     me and my family and I really appreciate this great honor.
           Warm regards,
     Bob Hope.
                                  ____

                                          Ellis Island Restoration


                                                   Commission,

                                  New York, NY, November 27, 2003.
     Mr. Ward Grant,
     North Pass Avenue,
     Burbank, CA
       Dear Mr. Grant: The Ellis Island Restoration Commission, 
     together with the National Park Service, are desirous of 
     naming the third floor of the National Museum at Ellis Island 
     in New York Harbor, the Bob Hope Memorial Library in honor of 
     that great American legend.
       The ship's manifest, which we have in our possession, 
     reflects that Bob Hope emigrated to America through Ellis 
     Island with his mother and siblings on March 28, 1908, at the 
     age of four. He is probably the most famous immigrant to come 
     through Ellis Island, of the sixteen million who so 
     emigrated. Forty percent of the current United States 
     population has roots in Ellis Island.
       The Museum is owned and administered by the National Park 
     Service on behalf of the Department of the Interior. Ellis 
     Island and the Statute of Liberty, to which it is connected, 
     are the most sought after destinations for tourists visiting 
     New York. The Library contains, among other rooms, the Oral 
     History Room, in which the stories of immigrants who arrived 
     through Ellis Island are recorded and computerized, and the 
     Ellis Island Archives.
       As reflected in the letters we have enclosed, Mr. Hope in 
     1990 and 1991, showed great interest in the Island and 
     reflected sincere appreciation for the honor of having the 
     Library named after him. Unfortunately, at that time, 
     bureaucratic complications did not permit the project to move 
     ahead.
       It would be our intention, if the family approves, to seek 
     a bill passed by Congress and have it signed into law by the 
     President. We would not be seeking any funds from the Bob 
     Hope Foundation or any family members, but this would simply 
     be in recognition of the great contributions to America's 
     life, culture and entertainment by Bob Hope.
       Ironically, we were in London at the time of Mr. Hope's 
     passing and took the opportunity to visit his childhood home 
     and the Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham.
       We were provided your contact information by WOR's Joe 
     Franklin and his producer, Richard Orenstein, in New York, 
     both of whom enthusiastically encouraged this idea.
       We look forward to hearing from you after you have 
     communicated with the family and if the response is in the 
     affirmative, make appropriate arrangements for a formal 
     announcement by the Commission, Congressional 
     representatives, National Park Service, as well as family 
     members.
       We eagerly await your response.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                         Phil Lax,
                                                        President.
                                                      Norman Liss,
                                          Chairman of Development.

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bishop of Utah). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) that 
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 323.
  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. MUSGRAVE. 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 question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________