[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN SPENCER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 17, 2005

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John 
Spencer, who passed away yesterday at the age of 58. From his role on 
``The Patty Duke Show'' in the 1960's, to his role on ``The West Wing'' 
today, he has touched the lives of millions of Americans.
  Born December 20, 1946, John Spencer grew up in the great town of 
Totowa, New Jersey, in my congressional district. At the age of 16 he 
left home to pursue an acting career in New York. He quickly earned a 
prominent role on ``The Patty Duke Show,'' playing Henry Anderson. When 
the show moved to Los Angeles and ended Spencer's run, he returned to 
the great state of New Jersey, attending Fairleigh Dickinson University 
for two years. He then moved back to New York and began working as a 
stage actor.
  Mr. Speaker, John Spencer was the son of a dumptruck driver, and 
brought that working class attitude to his life as an actor. There is 
no argument about his acting talent, but what set him apart were the 
countless hours he spent perfecting the lines, the delivery, the entire 
character.
  His career ran the gamut. In the late 1980's he starred aside 
Harrison Ford in ``Presumed Innocent,'' which led producer David E. 
Kelley to cast him as Tommy Mullaney on ``L.A. Law.'' In the late 
1990's he starred in ``The Rock,'' and ``The Negotiator,'' two very 
high profile successful films. In 1999, he was the first actor cast by 
Aaron Sorkin to star on ``The West Wing,'' as Leo McGarry; a role I 
have especially enjoyed watching him play. First as White House Chief 
of Staff and currently as the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, it 
has been refreshing to watch his character, particularly serving a 
Democrat in the White House. It would have been nice to have a Vice 
President from Passaic County.
  His working class origins were always apparent. From ``Patty Duke'' 
all the way up to the present movies, he was always somebody down to 
earth, two boots on the ground. I think it had a lot to do with the 
parts he played.
  Mr. Speaker, with John Spencer's death our nation has lost an acting 
treasure. From the stage, to television to the movies, his career 
brought joy to millions of Americans. He will be sorely missed.

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