[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 125 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1678-E1679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ``MARVIN ZINDLER--EYEWITNESS NEWS''

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, to the residents of Houston and the 
surrounding cities, the name ``Marvin Zindler'' was synonymous with 
``champion'' and ``crusader.'' You see, Marvin Zindler has just as many 
stories as the Lone Ranger himself--just as many tales about his 
struggles for justice too. He was a fighter for the ``little man,'' 
defending those who were swindled or scammed--seeking retribution the 
only way he knew how, with a bright light, an all-seeing camera lens, 
and a television audience.
  For the last thirty-four years, Marvin has been the much loved and 
revered face of television station KTRK Channel 13 in Houston, Texas. 
He was known for his consumer reporting--one of the first in the 
business to do so--letting the unsuspecting public in on the down and 
dirty dealing of local businesses throughout Southeast Texas. It was 
his thirst for integrity and justice among his fellow citizens that led 
Marvin to work day in and out to unmask the unscrupulous. But to truly 
understand Marvin, you have to understand the man behind the camera--
who he was before he became ``The Marvin Zindler.''
  Marvin was born into the wealth and privilege of society in 1921 and 
he was not sure where he wanted to go in his life. Torn between 
careers, Marvin came roaring into the media world as a DJ and spot 
reporter for a former, local radio station. He moved onto a career with 
a former Houston newspaper and did spot news reports for a local 
television station. It was during his early stint in the media that 
Marvin began to lean towards the law enforcement profession. In the 
early 1950s, he was a volunteer police officer--all while continuing to 
be a voice in the media.
  In 1962, Marvin put aside his media career and became a member of the 
Sheriffs Department. Assigned to the fugitive apprehension unit, it was 
his responsibility to round and rope up those who sought to flee 
American justice. Madam Speaker, legend has it that Marvin Zindler once 
chased a Texas fugitive through the heat of the Mexican deserts and 
into the rainforests of Central America, where he caught up with the 
Texas outlaw in what was then the U.S. held territory of the Panama 
Canal Zone. Marvin had a U.S. warrant for this criminal's arrest, but 
it was not sufficient enough to arrest him in Mexico or Central 
America. So he just waited until the fugitive touched U.S. soil--the 
Panama Canal. He then brought him back to face the Texas courts.

  I first met Marvin back when I was a prosecutor. I have the honor and 
privilege of calling him a personal friend of mine and remained so 
throughout my judicial career. I can attest to his larger than life 
personality and his determination to make a difference in the world.
  With the Sheriff's Department, Marvin established and ran the 
consumer fraud division. He was good at his job, perhaps a little too 
good as rumor has it. In 1972, Marvin was fired from the Sheriff's 
Department because local businesses were angered by his consumer fraud 
investigations. It was soon after his abrupt departure from law 
enforcement, he was hired by Channel 13 to be their on-air consumer 
reporter. From then on, a star was born.
  Marvin Zindler stalked unscrupulous businesses like a lion stalks its 
prey. He was famous for his ``rat and roach reports'' on health 
inspections of local restaurants. He stood up to the bureaucrats who 
tried to walk on the backs of poor Houston residents, who did not have 
two dimes to rub together and had been swindled. He sought out immoral 
used car salesmen who made double-crossing deals of one-sided contracts 
and high interest rates--milking the consumers out of hundreds of 
dollars.
  While the Houston public adored their TV crusader, Marvin did make 
some enemies, including a local county sheriff. In 1973, not yet a year 
into his TV career, Marvin exposed the State's best kept secret, a 
brothel called the Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. His news story 
not only led to several ladies of the night being out of a job and 
national notoriety for his efforts and the embarrassment of local 
patrons, but a public fist fight with a county sheriff--who also 
happened to be a dishearten customer. The sheriff broke two of Marvin's 
ribs and snatched the toupee right off his head. It was this story that 
the famous long-running Broadway hit musical and eventual movie, ``The 
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,'' was based on.
  Marvin Zindler had a heart of gold. Using his fame and his voice, 
Marvin began ``Marvin's Angels''--a group of doctors who specialized in 
plastic and reconstructive surgery. These doctors then performed 
surgery

[[Page E1679]]

on children who were born with facial deformities, such as a clef 
palate, and of course, at no charge to the child's family. He was the 
worshiped face of Houston. In fact, he was so beloved that Channel 13 
signed him to a lifetime contract in 1988--a rarity in the television 
world. It was something he always honored.

  Even when he was diagnosed with cancer in July, Marvin continued to 
make on-air appearances for Channel 13. Either from his sick bed or 
clothed in a robe and slippers, citizens could breathe easier knowing 
that Marvin was still fighting the good fight for them--the ordinary, 
everyday individuals, the people he cared the most for.
  Madam Speaker, on Sunday, July 29th, Marvin Zindler, the crusader of 
Houston, Texas, passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 85 years 
old.
  Robert Pelton, Marvin's good friend, had this to say about this 
extraordinary champion of the little guy, ``Marvin Zindler was the Lone 
Ranger and Superman, not just in Houston, but in the world. Marvin 
Zindler was a one man army for the underdog. With Marvin Zindler, there 
was no Governmental Red Tape.--He walked right through it. If he heard 
of an injustice or public corruption, he was there to expose and stop 
it. Marvin was a hero to every man, woman, and child who was a victim 
of discrimination and wrongdoing. He helped the crippled, blind, poor, 
and sick get help wherever they were. `I'll Call Marvin Zindler' was 
the battle cry of the underdog and it always worked. Being his lawyer, 
friend, and angel for 31 years was the highest honor anyone could 
have.''
  Madam Speaker, people in the Great State of Texas fondly recall a man 
who was their champion--their ``Lone Ranger.'' For wherever Marvin 
Zindler went, unscrupulous business owners quaked in fear, trepidation, 
apprehension, and panic knowing that they were being caught with 
``Slime in the Ice Machine''--one of Marvin's most famous sayings. 
Tonight, my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his children, 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the entire Houston community as 
we mourn the loss of our dear friend, consumer advocate, Marvin 
Zindler. He was a man who served our Houston community and the people 
with honor and duty. He will be gravely missed.
  Madam Speaker, Each night Marvin signed off with the same words on 
his nightly newscast and I quote them for the last time, ``Marvin 
Zindler--Eyewitness News.''
  And That's Just The Way It Is.

                          ____________________