[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H2612-H2615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PAUL NEWMAN

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 18) honoring the life, achievements, and 
contributions of Paul Newman.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                               H. Res. 18

       Whereas Paul Newman, a great American actor, film director, 
     entrepreneur, humanitarian, and automobile racing enthusiast, 
     passed away on September 26, 2008;
       Whereas Paul Newman was born on January 26, 1925, in Shaker 
     Heights, Ohio;

[[Page H2613]]

       Whereas following his service in the Navy during World War 
     II in the Pacific theater, Paul Newman completed his degree 
     at Kenyon College and later at the Yale School of Drama;
       Whereas Paul Newman is considered one of America's most 
     accomplished actors and his career in film and on stage 
     spanned over fifty years;
       Whereas Paul Newman was nominated for ten Oscars, winning 
     Best Actor in 1986 for his role in The Color of Money and two 
     honorary Oscars, the Humanitarian Award in 1993 and the 
     Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985;
       Whereas Paul Newman brought life to many memorable 
     characters, including ``Hud'', ``Cool Hand Luke'', ``Butch 
     Cassidy'', ``Henry Gondorff'', and ``Fast Eddie'';
       Whereas in 1982, Paul Newman co-founded Newman's Own, a 
     premium food and beverage company that began with salad 
     dressings and has expanded to over 150 varieties of all-
     natural food and beverage products;
       Whereas Paul Newman was a dedicated philanthropist, 
     donating all of the profits from Newman's Own sales for 
     educational and charitable purposes, totaling over 
     $250,000,000 in donations;
       Whereas Paul Newman founded eleven Hole in the Wall camps 
     around the world, named for the outlaw gang made famous by 
     Newman's portrayal of Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the 
     Sundance Kid, and dedicated to providing free recreation to 
     children with cancer and other serious illnesses;
       Whereas Paul Newman founded the Scott Newman Foundation for 
     the prevention of drug abuse in 1978 after the death of his 
     son;
       Whereas Paul Newman was a successful racecar driver and 
     well-rounded athlete, winning several Sports Car Club of 
     America national driving titles and competing in Daytona in 
     1995 on the occasion of his 70th birthday;
       Whereas Paul Newman was beloved by his family, friends, and 
     neighbors for his great generosity, good humor, and spirited 
     charm; and
       Whereas Paul Newman's humanitarian works and incomparable 
     talents have made him an American icon who will never be 
     forgotten: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life 
     and accomplishments of Paul Newman for his many contributions 
     to American film, theater, and philanthropy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
I am pleased to stand in support of House Resolution 18, which 
expresses admiration and honor for the life, achievement and 
contributions of screen legend and philanthropist Paul Newman, who, as 
we all know, lost his battle against cancer last September.
  Paul Newman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Arthur and Teresa 
Newman during the tumultuous economic times of the 1920s. A supposed 
athletic powerhouse, Paul Newman's first love during high school ended 
up being football rather than acting or theater. However, following 
high school graduation, the legendary Newman would eventually enlist in 
the United States Navy Air Corps, and would spend a portion of his 
service time as a radio operator in the Pacific during World War II.
  Upon conclusion of his military service, Mr. Newman resumed his 
collegiate pursuits by attending Kenyon College of Ohio where he would 
major in theater, thereby fostering his love of acting and the arts. In 
addition to his undergraduate studies, Mr. Newman also studied at 
Yale's School of Drama before taking a leap of faith and pursuing his 
acting ambitions on New York's famed Broadway scene--and the rest, as 
they say, is history.
  From his 1953 Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy 
``Picnic'' to his unforgettable roles in such films as ``Cat on a Hot 
Tin Roof,'' ``Cool Hand Luke,'' ``Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,'' 
and the 1982 version of ``The Verdict,'' Mr. Newman's talent has 
crossed generations and has touched the lives of millions of Americans 
over nearly a half century.
  In addition to his acting career, Mr. Newman is also well-known for 
his love of Nascar racing and for his extraordinary philanthropical 
efforts made possible by the proceeds of his famous Newman's Own salad 
dressing products. Since inception, Newman's Own has donated over $250 
million to thousands of charities and worthy causes around the world, 
including Hole in the Wall Camps, which he and his wife, Joanne 
Woodward, created as a safe haven for children facing life-threatening 
illnesses.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Paul Newman's legacy, talents and 
contributions to our country's cultural and social fabric will long be 
remembered. Nevertheless, House Resolution 18, as introduced by Steve 
Cohen of Tennessee and considered by the House Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform, allows our Chamber to also express our gratitude 
and commemoration for the life of Paul Newman. For this reason alone, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 18.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H. Res. 
18.
  It is my pleasure to stand here and recognize a fellow Ohioan for his 
great years of service. The world lost one of its greatest actors, film 
directors, entrepreneurs, and humanitarians last September when Paul 
Leonard Newman lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 83--the 
legendary actor, whose steely blue eyes, good humor and passion for 
helping the less fortunate made him one of the most prominent figures 
in the American arts for over 50 years.
  Paul Newman was born on January 26, 1925 in Shaker Heights, Ohio. His 
father owned a sporting goods store, but Mr. Newman was more interested 
in following his mother's and uncle's interest in the arts, and he 
started acting in grade school. After less than a year at Ohio 
University in Athens, he joined the Navy, and served for 3 years during 
World War II. After the war, he attended Kenyon College on an athletic 
scholarship where he played football and acted in numerous plays before 
graduating in 1949. Mr. Newman later studied drama at Yale University, 
and soon thereafter, he made his first debut on Broadway in the play 
``Picnic.'' A year later, in 1954, he starred in his first Hollywood 
film, ``The Silver Chalice,'' a flop that he good-naturedly laughed at 
for the rest of his life.
  Although his first film was a failure in his eyes, the 1956 movie 
``Somebody Up There Likes Me'' made him a star, and more hits followed: 
``The Long, Hot Summer'' opposite his soon-to-be-wife, Joanne Woodward, 
``Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'' and ``The Young Philadelphians.'' All of 
these film classics have withstood the test of time for movie 
enthusiasts.
  Mr. Newman was one of the few actors who successfully made a 
transition from 1950s cinema to the new film eras of the 1960s and 
1970s. He began the decade with ``Exodus,'' ``The Hustler,'' ``Sweet 
Bird of Youth,'' ``Hud,'' ``Harper and Hombre,'' and many more. In 
1968, he turned to directing, earning enthusiastic reviews for his work 
on ``Rachel, Rachel,'' starring his wife. In the late 1960s and early 
1970s, Mr. Newman played an integral part in the creation of the 
highest grossing films of their time--``Butch Cassidy and the Sundance 
Kid'' and ``The Sting''--winning many awards, including best picture 
for the latter.
  However, the movies and occasional stage roles were never enough. In 
the 1970s, he turned to race car driving, an obsession he picked up in 
midlife after he was cast as a race car driver in the film ``Winning.'' 
His first race was in 1972, and his first professional victory was in 
1982. He was a co-owner of the Newman/Haas Indy racing team, and at the 
age of 70, he participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona. He was still 
racing at the age of 80.
  In 1982, as a joke, he decided to sell the salad dressing he created 
and bottled for friends and family at Christmas. Thus was born the food 
marketing phenomenon known as ``Newman's Own'' products. More than 25 
years later, the brand has expanded to include other foods, ranging 
from popcorn to spaghetti sauce to wine. All of its profits, more than 
$200 million, have been donated to charity. Much of the money was used 
to create a number of Hole in the Wall Gang Camps named after the 
outlaw gang in ``Butch Cassidy.'' The eleven summer camps, located all 
over the world, provide free recreation for gravely ill children.

[[Page H2614]]

  His humanitarian efforts also reach to those with alcohol and drug 
addiction at the Scott Newman Center, which is in honor of his first 
born and only son, who died in 1978 at the age of 28 because of a drug 
and alcohol overdose. It is run by the oldest of his five daughters, 
Susan Newman, and its mission is to publicize the danger of drugs and 
alcohol.
  Finally, 25 years after ``The Hustler'' and seven Academy Award 
nominations, Mr. Newman won an Oscar in 1986 for his role in ``The 
Color of Money.'' He continued to act, charming many with his role in 
``Road to Perdition'' at the age of 77. He finally retired in 2007, 
saying he had lost his confidence and abilities.
  The world will mourn Paul Newman--the actor, race car driver and 
renowned philanthropist--and those blue eyes that mesmerized the public 
will live on in his wonderful films for generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. At this point, I would like to recognize my friend for 5 
minutes, Representative Steve Cohen from Tennessee.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life, achievements and 
contributions of Paul Leonard Newman--a man whose legacy remains in his 
films and philanthropy.
  I, like, I think, every other American am a longtime admirer of Paul 
Newman's, and I wanted to honor him last year in Congress when he 
passed, but we were in the process of adjourning, and time didn't make 
it possible.
  In 1985, while a Tennessee State Senator, I sponsored a similar 
resolution because he had just started his work with Newman's Own, and 
his philanthropy was starting to spark the Nation. He responded when I 
sent him a copy of the resolution with a very nice note, signed by Paul 
Newman, with the return address simply being ``Paul Newman.'' The 
understated response was typical of a man who was so understated.
  Sunday night at the Academy Awards, in their tribute to artists who 
had passed away in the previous year, we were reminded of this 
gentleman when he was shown on the screen and received the greatest 
applause from his cohorts--members of the academy. Newman's daughter 
described him as a rare symbol of selfless humanity.
  Paul Newman was inspirational. His acting career crossed generations. 
I remember my mother and father enjoying him much when I was a child, 
and it spanned some 50 years.
  In 1986, he won two awards from the Academy--one for best actor, and 
the other was an honorary Oscar, in part, for his personal integrity 
and dedication to his craft, but then in 1994, he was awarded a third--
the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic work. Only 
Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman have so been honored in history.
  Newman's astonishing career took a major leap in 1982 when he and his 
pal and buddy, the noted writer A.E. Hotchner, founded Newman's Own 
food company. With that change came much moneys for charity and a new 
salad dressing for me and for many Americans, Mr. Speaker, and new 
spaghetti sauce and new popcorn--Paul Newman's Own.
  They established a policy that all proceeds from Newman's Own 
products would be donated to charities, all of the profits through 
Newman's Own Foundation. That has resulted in over $250 million already 
going to charities around the world.
  In the fall of 1988, he opened his first Hole in the Wall Camp in 
Connecticut for children with serious medical conditions, conditions 
ranging from cancer to HIV/AIDS, to hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. 
Over the years that camp has gone worldwide. It has gone to Africa, 
Asia and the Middle East--seeing children who have devastating 
illnesses and giving them an opportunity for a summer of enjoyment and 
laughter. Newman used to visit these camps just to take a look. The 
kids did not know who he was, but he got a great feeling from 
worthwhile projects by just watching these young people, and he saw how 
much they enjoyed the opportunity to have recreation. He served over 
135,000 young people over the years.
  In his charitable work, he has invested his own time in choosing the 
charities which go from environmental to educational to the arts, and 
those charities have gone all over the world. He used his fame to give 
away much of his fortune. While we have had philanthropic Americans 
like Melinda and Bill Gates and Ted Turner and in my city Danny Thomas, 
who came and did so much for St. Jude, I don't think anybody has given 
such a percentage of their fortune and continues to do so as Paul 
Newman.
  He was one of the founders of the committee encouraging corporate 
philanthropy--a membership organization of CEOs and corporate 
chairpersons committed to raising the level of quality of global 
corporate philanthropy. The committee leads the business community in 
developing sustainable and strategic community partnerships through 
philanthropy.
  In these times, Mr. Speaker, more people need to assume personal 
responsibility and contribute to those who are suffering. Paul Newman 
continues to do so through his charities.
  At the end of the Oscars on that tribute to those who passed, Paul 
Newman was shown on the screen as Chance Wayne in ``Sweet Bird of 
Youth,'' and he was quoted as saying, ``The biggest difference between 
people is not between the rich and the poor, the good and the evil. The 
biggest difference between people is between those who have had the 
pleasure of love and those who haven't.''
  These words were not Paul Newman's. They were the writer's, but they 
were Paul Newman's life. They were his life--his 50-years of marriage 
to Joanne Woodward and the love he had for her and for his children. He 
was not your typical Hollywood star, and it was also his love for 
people in his charitable work.

                              {time}  1245

  I'd like to close by using Newman's own tradition and spirit: 
``Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the common good.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to go to Newmansown.com, look at Paul 
Newman, think about Paul Newman, and today and every day buy salad 
dressing, popcorn, spaghetti sauce, and other products of Paul Newman's 
and let his legacy live on and support the charities: Shameless 
exploitation in the pursuit of the common good.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to reserve.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am very pleased to recognize 
the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) for 2 
minutes.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, it is obvious from listening to the prior 
comments of this great resolution that Paul Newman touched a lot of 
parts of America: His birthplace in Ohio; the time he spent, obviously, 
in Hollywood making movies; Tennessee, other places. But he did, for 
the last half of his life, live in Westport, Connecticut, a place that 
our State was always glad to embrace him and his wonderful wife, Joanne 
Woodward.
  He was somebody who, in the State of Connecticut, was usually seen in 
jeans, in casual clothes, probably even having a libation now and then 
at community events, very low-key, and never really looking to draw 
attention to himself.
  It's been mentioned earlier the great work that he did founding the 
Hole in the Wall Gang, which was an extraordinary accomplishment even 
in just the latter stage of his life. And the first camp which he 
founded was in Ashford, Connecticut, in eastern Connecticut, a 30-acre 
farm by the Harakaly family. Again, a place where children suffering 
chronic, in many cases crushing illnesses were able to come and 
actually enjoy life as a summer camper which otherwise would never ever 
have been possible.
  I just wanted to share a description by one of the boards of 
directors about when Paul Newman would show up at the camp because he 
didn't just go through the motions of just leaving his name, but he 
appeared in many instances to participate in camp activities. He loved 
to talk about the little kids who had no idea who he was, the friendly 
old guy who kept showing up at camp to take them fishing. While their 
counselors stammered star struck, the campers indulged Newman the way 
they would have indulged a particularly friendly hospital blood 
technician.
  It took me years to understand why Newman loved being at the Hole in 
the

[[Page H2615]]

Wall Gang Camp. It was for precisely the same reasons these kids did. 
When the campers showed up, they became regular kids, despite the 
catheters and the wheelchairs and the prosthetic legs. And when Newman 
showed up, he was a regular guy with blue eyes, despite the Oscars and 
the race cars and the burgeoning marinara empire.
  The most striking thing about Paul Newman was that a man who could 
have blasted through life demanding, ``Have you any idea who I am,'' 
invariably wanted to hang out with the folks, often the little ones who 
neither knew or cared.
  Again, I want to applaud Mr. Cohen for bringing this extraordinary 
measure and calling our Members for unanimous support.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to reserve.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize 
Chairman George Miller from California for 2 minutes.
  (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support 
of this resolution to honor the life and accomplishments of Paul 
Newman, a truly great American and a man I am proud to have called my 
friend.
  Sadly, Paul passed away late last year. Paul was a magnificent human 
being. While he played the anti-hero on the silver screen, in real life 
he was a true hero. Like his character Cool Hand Luke, Paul Newman was 
not afraid to rock the boat.
  Paul never limited his horizons--in his acting, his advocacy, or his 
vision of our world. He once admonished some of his colleagues who 
shied away from politics, he said, ``Do you abdicate the 
responsibilities of citizenship merely because you carry a Screen 
Actors' Guild card . . . Or do you dig deeply and become as 
knowledgeable an expert as you can and speak your piece and hope your 
weight was being thrown on the right side?''
  I knew Paul before he knew me, and when our friend, Lizzie Robbins, 
introduced us to one another, I realized I had never met anyone like 
him in public life before. He was modern despite his age, he remained 
curious throughout his life, he had an enormous passion and steadfast 
commitment. He started the Hole in the Wall Gang kids camp for kids 
with life-threatening diseases, and they attended the camp free of 
charge.
  He was an advocate of nuclear disarmament, early childhood 
development, and a healthy environment. He even helped to pioneer 
alternative fuel technologies to cut carbon emissions.
  It was an honor to be on the receiving end of his exultations, his 
missives, his opinion pieces for the vision that he and I shared for 
peace and justice for this world--even while the right wing tried to 
punish him in the marketplace for his willingness to speak his mind. 
But the right wing could never win that argument because America knew 
Paul Newman, and they trusted him.
  With Paul's enormous success in acting and business where he raised 
over $250 million for the charity of his Newman's Own brand--and that's 
in addition to giving away half of his income a year.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. In giving away half his income to 
causes he supported, it was especially striking how humble Paul had 
remained throughout his life. But Paul was the first to acknowledge 
luck in his life. He said, ``The beneficence of it,'' he said, ``in 
many lives and the brutality of it in the lives of others, especially 
children, who might not have a lifetime to make up for it.''
  Paul once asked what he owed his fans after all of these years, to 
which he humbly replied, ``Thank you.'' And that's exactly what the 
world owes him.
  I want to thank Congressman Cohen for introducing this resolution, 
and I want to offer, obviously, my best wishes to Paul's family--the 
kids and the grandkids--and to that magnificent partner of his in a 
magnificent relationship, Joanne, and thank them for sharing Paul with 
us during his great life.
  Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great artist, humanitarian, 
and longtime resident of Connecticut's 4th District, Paul Newman.
  Paul's achievements in philanthropy and the arts are well known. He 
was an Academy Award-winning film star whose food company, Newman's 
Own, donated more than $250 million in profits and royalties to 
charitable causes. Lesser known, however, are Paul's contributions to 
the community of Westport, Connecticut, where he and his wife Joanne 
Woodward resided for nearly 50 years together.
  Though they could have easily used their Westport home as an escape 
from their many national and international projects, Paul and Joanne 
chose instead to become quiet pillars of their town. They were regular 
volunteers at the Historical Society, the Public Library, and the 
Westport Country Playhouse--a cultural mecca in my district whose 
outreach in the community is tremendous, and where Joanne remains 
Artistic Director.
  If you want to know the Paul Newman that Westport knew, consider the 
following story. In 2000, the Westport YMCA wanted to honor the Newmans 
for its ``Faces of Achievement'' award and wrote to Paul regarding this 
idea. The following was Newman's gracious response:

       On my 70th birthday, my wife Joanne and I resolved not to 
     accept any more honors. Not, you understand out of arrogance, 
     just a mellow belief that we had been honored in gracious 
     sufficiency and that more would constitute excess. As the 
     daughter says in Thornton Wilders' Our Town, `Momma, am I 
     pretty?' Momma replies, `You're pretty enough for all normal 
     purposes.' Joanne and I have been fortunate to be honored 
     enough `for all normal purposes.'

  Notwithstanding the grace and modesty that Paul carried with him 
everywhere, we hope that wherever you are, Paul, you'll indulge us in 
honoring you just one more time.
  Barbara Walters once asked Paul Newman what he wanted his epitaph to 
be. He replied, ``That I was part of our times.'' Paul Newman was both 
part and paragon of his times, and we in Connecticut will dearly miss 
him.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H. Res. 18.
  I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to join with Mr. 
Cohen and the other speakers in supporting the resolution at hand.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 18.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________