[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RICHARD WIDMARK AND THE SPIRIT OF TEXAS

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the Spirit of Texas has been a popular genre 
in the classic Westerns of Hollywood. Recently, Hollywood and Texas 
lost Richard Widmark, who starred as Jim Bowie in the 1960 John Wayne 
version of The Alamo. Widmark's portrayal of Bowie is a classic 
representation of the fire that drove the defenders of the Alamo and 
soldiers of Texas to secure their independence.
  John Wayne's version of The Alamo does more than just tell a story. 
Characters attach themselves to the audience. Richard Widmark did just 
that in his role as Jim Bowie. The contrast between the liberal minded 
Widmark and the conservative John Wayne is one of the highlights of the 
movie, and illustrates that the defenders of the Alamo came from all 
different backgrounds and mindsets. More importantly, however, is that 
Widmark and his fellow cast members captivated audiences with the 
Spirit of Texas and the devotion the defenders had in sacrificing their 
lives for their country. Widmark himself captures this spirit near the 
end of the movie, when he fights to the death with his famous Bowie 
Knife as he is lamed up in bed.
  Richard Widmark recently passed away at his home in Roxbury, 
Connecticut on March 24. While not a Texan by birth, his contribution 
to the movies and the story of the defenders of the Alamo is one that 
should be remembered. His portrayal of Jim Bowie is a testament to the 
Spirit of Texas and her citizens. As we ``Remember The Alamo,'' we 
should also ``Remember Richard Widmark.''

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