[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN TRIBUTE TO JOURNALIST MIKE BOYD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Mike Boyd, a legendary 
television reporter and anchor whose level of career achievement was 
matched only by his passion for living life to its fullest. Sadly, Mr. 
Boyd passed away on October 14, 2006 at the age of 74. As his friends 
and family gather to celebrate Mike's remarkable life, I ask all of my 
colleagues to join with me in saluting this outstanding citizen and 
model reporter.
  Mike Boyd was born in Maine in 1932, the son and grandson of 
attorneys. He graduated from the University of Maine and after a number 
of broadcasting jobs along the East Coast, he joined Sacramento's KCRA 
Channel 3 News in 1963 where he remained until his retirement in 2001. 
Mike became an institution in Sacramento as thousands of Sacramento 
residents tuned into his hard-hitting, exclusive stories throughout his 
38-year tenure at KCRA. His memorable, deep, and booming voice made him 
ideal for a career in broadcast journalism.
  His tenacity as an investigative reporter led him to cover some of 
the past half-century's most unforgettable stories. In 1968, Mike Boyd 
was at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles when Robert F. Kennedy was 
assassinated and his reporting of the tragic event was broadcast across 
the country. When the rumors began to circulate about Ronald Regan 
running for President, it was to Mike Boyd that Nancy Reagan admitted 
that she hoped Ronald would not run.
  Perhaps Mike Boyd will be most remembered for his coverage of some of 
the nation's most notorious crimes. Boyd was always looking for the 
scoop, and he was often successful. He was the first reporter to 
interview Charles Manson in prison. Manson went so far as to offer Boyd 
his steak dinner. Years later, in 1988, he had an exclusive interview 
with the infamous landlady Dorthea Puente, who was convicted of killing 
eight of her tenants in downtown Sacramento. His ability to connect 
with his interview subjects clearly showed through, as evidenced by the 
retirement gift Puente sent Boyd from prison.
  Mr. Speaker, as Mike Boyd's friends and family gather to honor this 
great American, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most 
respected citizens. His integrity, morals and enthusiasm for his job 
were inspirations to young reporters everywhere. He will be deeply 
missed. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Mike's 
invaluable contributions to Sacramento and the United States of 
America.

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