[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10644-S10645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO ALAN AND MARILYN BERGMAN

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize an extraordinary couple in the musical world, 
Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who were recently honored by the renowned 
Paley Center for Media. Formerly known as the Museum of Television & 
Radio, the Paley Center for Media is nationally recognized for its 
efforts to engage communities in a dialogue around the cultural, 
creative, and social significance of television, radio, and other 
emerging media platforms.
  This year, Alan and Marilyn Bergman are celebrating 50 years of a 
musical partnership that has enchanted and engaged people around the 
world. In honor of their extraordinary careers, the Paley Center for 
Media hosted two very special events to pay tribute to the Bergmans, 
the first in New York on May 21, 2008, and the second in Los Angeles on 
November 3, 2008. The two events were part of the Paley Center for 
Media's ``Paley After Dark'' series, which features only a select few 
artists each year.

[[Page S10645]]

  Though Alan and Marilyn's personal life stories may not be widely 
known--both were born and raised in the same Brooklyn, NY, 
neighborhood, but it wasn't until they moved to Los Angeles in the 
1950s that they met, fell in love, and married--it is hard to find a 
person who isn't familiar with one of the Bergmans' many famous songs. 
Starting with one of their first breakthrough successes, a song 
entitled ``Sleep Warm,'' which appeared as the title track on an album 
released by Dean Martin in 1959, the Bergmans kicked off a musical 
career that has lasted half a century.
  In 1968, the Bergmans won their first Oscar for ``The Windmills of 
Your Mind,'' the theme song from the ``Thomas Crown Affair.'' This was 
just the beginning for Alan and Marilyn. Later, in 1968, ``The 
Windmills of Your Mind'' also won a Golden Globe award. In 1973, Alan 
and Marilyn won two Grammys, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe award for 
``The Way We Were,'' starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford. In 
1984, they won another Oscar for the score for ``Yentl,'' and won Emmys 
for ``Sybil,'' ``Queen of the Stardust Ballroom,'' ``Ordinary 
Miracles'' and ``A Ticket to Dream.'' In 1995, Alan and Marilyn wrote 
the Golden Globe-, Oscar-, and Grammy-nominated song ``Moonlight.'' 
Just a few years ago, Alan and Marilyn were commissioned by the Kennedy 
Center to write a jazz song cycle which received widespread acclaim. 
And just last year, Alan released his first album as a vocalist, 
``Lyrically,'' featuring some of his and Marilyn's most well-known 
songs. The reviews were phenomenal.
  During their New York and Los Angeles visits, the Bergmans performed 
a few of their hit songs and treated the audiences to a special 
question-and-answer session with Pat Mitchell, the Paley Center for 
Media's president and CEO. Though the Bergmans have been partners for 
more than 50 years, it was clearly evident that their rapport with each 
other shines through as strongly today as it did when they first met.
  For half a century, Alan and Marilyn have written the lyrics and 
music to some of the world's most recognizable and unforgettable songs. 
Their dedication and passion for life is evident in both their marriage 
and in the work they do. It is no wonder, then, that the Paley Center 
for Media has honored the Bergmans as part of its ``Paley After Dark'' 
series.
  As their U.S. Senator, I join the Paley Center for Media in honoring 
and giving my most sincere congratulations to Alan and Marilyn, one of 
the most respected songwriting teams in music today, for enriching the 
lives of so many. And for the sake of all of us, I trust that their 
joint efforts will continue for many more years.

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