[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S14841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING GEORGE OSMOND

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in honor of a friend 
of mine, Mr. George Osmond, who, on Thursday, November 6, passed away. 
While most people will likely remember George as the patriarch of one 
of our Nation's most famous entertainment families, he should also be 
remembered as a great humanitarian and entrepreneur.
  George was born in 1917 in Star Valley, WY. As a young man, in 1941, 
he enlisted in the Army and served honorably during World War II. In 
1944, he was stationed at the U.S. Army's General Depot in Ogden, UT, 
where he met his wife, Olive May Davis. George and Olive were married 
in December 1944 and had nine children, eight boys and one girl.
  To most, George's early professional life was quite normal. He began 
his career selling real estate and life insurance. He later took a 
position as the Ogden Postmaster. During that time, his sons began to 
study music; George taught them to sing barbershop and helped them get 
invitations to perform at community events. His family first entered 
the national spotlight when four of his sons, Alan, Wayne, Merrill and 
Jay, formed a quartet known as ``the Osmond Brothers'' and began 
performing at Disneyland and on The Andy Williams Show.
  Over the years, seven of his nine children would perform a variety of 
music styles all over the world. All counted, the Osmond family has 
recorded 142 albums, selling 100 million copies with 51 gold and 
platinum recordings. George, himself, worked as the manager of his 
children's music careers, working to make sure they remained grounded 
and focused on the importance of family.
  One of the lesser known facts about the Osmond family is that two of 
the Osmond children, the oldest sons Virl and Tom, were born deaf. 
While these two sons were never music performers, they were closely 
involved with their father's charitable efforts, working with him to 
establish The Osmond Foundation, which later became the Children's 
Miracle Network.
  The Children's Miracle Network is now headquartered in Salt Lake City 
and has, to date, raised more $3 billion, which is distributed directly 
to a network of 170 hospitals. These funds are raised specifically for 
children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of 
children's health issues. It is the largest organization of its kind in 
the world and is, in addition to their many children and grandchildren, 
George and Olive Osmond's greatest legacy.
  Mr. President, I knew George Osmond for many years. He was, above all 
else, devoted to his family and a man of integrity. I thoroughly 
enjoyed the opportunities I have had over the years to work with him 
and his family on several charitable endeavors. George was truly a 
remarkable man who leaves a long legacy here with us in his passing. I 
want to express my deepest condolences to George's family and thank 
them for their wonderful example of service.

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