[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 53 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4072-H4073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PAUL HARVEY

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 223) Honoring the life, achievements, and 
contributions of Paul Harvey, affectionately known for his signature 
line, ``This is Paul Harvey . . . Good Day,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 223

       Whereas Paul Harvey, a son, brother, husband, father, 
     friend, pioneering American, and a cherished voice, passed 
     away on February 28, 2009;
       Whereas Paul Harvey Aurandt was born on September 4, 1918, 
     in Tulsa, Oklahoma;
       Whereas prefacing a storied career in radio by making radio 
     receivers as a young boy and a fill-in announcer while a 
     student at the University of Tulsa, he epitomized American 
     values and American ideals proving that one can lead a decent 
     life with hard work and solid values;
       Whereas Paul Harvey, through open expression, pioneered the 
     format of radio broadcasts that so many now find commonplace;
       Whereas Paul Harvey was a blogger before it was a known 
     medium, he just did his blogging on the radio;
       Whereas Paul Harvey was elected to the National Association 
     of Broadcasters Radio Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Hall of Fame 
     and appeared on the Gallup poll list of America's most 
     admired men;
       Whereas in 2005, Paul Harvey was awarded the Presidential 
     Medal of Freedom, the United States' most prestigious 
     civilian award, by President George W. Bush;
       Whereas Paul Harvey's career in radio spanned over 70 years 
     and he is considered one of the United States' most 
     accomplished radio personalities and a trail blazer;
       Whereas Paul Harvey was beloved by his family, friends, 
     neighbors, and vast listening audience for his great 
     generosity, good humor, and spirited charm;
       Whereas Paul Harvey, the ``largest one-man network in the 
     world'', was heard on 1,200 radio stations, 400 Armed Forces 
     Network stations around the world, and in 300 newspapers; and
       Whereas Paul Harvey's broadcasts and newspaper columns have 
     been reprinted in the Congressional Record more than those of 
     any other commentator: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life 
     and accomplishments of Paul Harvey.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within 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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, it is with profound honor that I rise in support of 
House Resolution 223, which celebrates the life of legendary radio and 
television personality, Paul Harvey.
  I'd first like to thank my colleague from Oklahoma, Congressman John 
Sullivan, for sponsoring this afternoon's condolence measure, which has 
amassed over 60 cosponsors here in the Congress since being introduced 
on March 9, 2009.
  I'd also like to thank Chairman Towns from Brooklyn and my colleagues 
on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for their 
unanimous support in bringing this resolution to the floor.
  We live in an age of unprecedented access to the news. Between the 
24-hour cable news networks and the Internet, there's no shortage of 
sources from which citizens are informed.
  Most of us remember a different time when Americans relied on a small 
number of outlets for each day's events. Before everybody had a blog, 
we placed our trust in a few individuals to represent the voice of the 
average citizen. And I am proud to say that Paul Harvey was certainly 
one of those trusted individuals.
  There is no greater testament to Paul Harvey's distinguished career 
than its longevity. He was no more than a teenager when he first hit 
the airwaves, reading advertisements and news clips. After studying 
speech and literature at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Harvey 
worked at radio stations across the American heartland.
  In 1941, Mr. Harvey sacrificed his personal aspirations in order to 
defend our country. He was a reporter in Hawaii during the attack on 
Pearl Harbor, and decided to enlist in the United States Army 
immediately following.
  Upon conclusion of his national service, Paul Harvey set about 
redefining what it meant to be a radio host by delivering news in his 
own unique and humble way. Paul Harvey was never afraid of controversy, 
and he was not one to forfeit his principles. His style was part 
journalist, part showman and, fortunately for America, part everyman.
  As many as 22 million people tuned in daily to hear Mr. Harvey give 
his take on the day's news. Perhaps it was his plain-spoken ability to 
connect with and reassure the American people that made him so popular. 
Consider this remark, which is as relevant today as it was when first 
spoken. ``In times like these, it helps to recall that there have 
always been times like these.''
  Paul Harvey was constantly recognized for his achievements, both as a 
broadcaster and as an outstanding citizen. He received accolades from 
the State of Oklahoma, the National Association of Broadcasters, the 
Salvation Army, the United States Air Force, The Humane Society and the 
American Legion, just to name a few.

[[Page H4073]]

                              {time}  1445

  In 2005, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the 
highest honor available to American civilians.
  Throughout his life, Mr. Harvey was rarely without his loving wife, 
Lynn, whom he called ``Angel.'' Married in 1940, Lynn passed away on 
May 3, 2008. They are survived by Paul Jr., who followed his parents 
into broadcasting.
  I ask that this body join the American people in celebrating the life 
of Paul Harvey, whom we lost on February 28, 2009 at the age of 90. We 
will certainly miss his contributions to the national dialogue. So, 
Madam Speaker, let us collectively and formally express our 
appreciation for Paul Harvey's life and career by adopting House 
Resolution 223.
  I now reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 223, ``Honoring the 
Life, Achievements and Contributions of Paul Harvey.''
  Born in 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Paul Harvey's fascination with radio 
started at a very young age when he would pick up radio stations on his 
homemade cigar box crystal set. As a teenager, he worked, sweeping the 
floors at the station KVOO until the station manager decided to give 
him a job. The rest, as they say, is radio history.
  Mr. Harvey moved from Tulsa to accept a position working at KXOK in 
St. Louis. While working in St. Louis, Mr. Harvey met his beloved wife 
of 68 years, who later became the producer of his show.
  From St. Louis, the Harveys moved to Chicago, where his daily program 
for ABC Radio, Paul Harvey News and Comment, became the highest rated 
radio program in the region. Building on his audiences in Chicago, his 
show was soon broadcast throughout the entire country. In 1976, Harvey 
started a second daily radio show, The Rest of the Story, telling 
anecdotes about famous people or historic incidents, always with a 
little twist at the end.
  Mr. Harvey's upbeat, positive demeanor and the ability to weave 
together the stories of life in America made him a national treasure. 
His uncanny ability to find a story, then to give it his own folksy 
style, delivered in his unique cadence, was remarkably popular. Mr. 
Harvey never lost sight of the significance of everyday life and of the 
stories of ordinary people in America.
  With well over a half century of broadcasting experience, Mr. 
Harvey's show reached an estimated 24 million listeners daily. 
Receiving countless honors over the years for his broadcasts, he 
received the highest acknowledgment of his career when, in 2005, Mr. 
Harvey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President 
George W. Bush.
  Sadly, after more than 70 years on the air, Mr. Harvey passed away in 
February at the age of 90. The loss of Paul Harvey is the loss of a 
symbol of a simpler era in America. Even with the passage of time, his 
broadcast stories were as timely at the end of his life as they were 
back in Tulsa, where his career started. As Mr. Harvey would say at the 
end of each story, at the end of each show, ``And now you know the rest 
of the story.''
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, but I continue 
to reserve.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize my 
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan), 
the author of this resolution, and yield him as much time as he may 
consume.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life, 
achievements and contributions of one of Tulsa, Oklahoma's favorite 
sons and one of America's most cherished voices, Paul Harvey.
  Perhaps best known for his signature line ``Good Day,'' Paul Harvey 
began his storied career in radio in Tulsa, making radio receivers and 
working as a fill-in announcer while a student at the University of 
Tulsa. Little did he know then that over the next 70 years he would go 
on to become one of America's most accomplished and beloved radio 
personalities of all time.
  Referred to as the ``largest one-man network in the world,'' Paul 
Harvey was heard on 1,200 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces networks 
around the world. His broadcast and newspaper columns have been 
reprinted in the Congressional Record more than those of any other 
person. Through the use of free expression, Paul Harvey pioneered the 
format of radio broadcasts that we now find commonplace. He was a 
blogger before we knew what that was. He just did his blogging on the 
radio.
  Over the course of his trailblazing career, Mr. Harvey received 
numerous accolades for his work, including being elected to the 
National Association of Broadcasters Radio Hall of Fame and the 
Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He received 11 Freedom Foundation Awards as well 
as the Horatio Alger Award. In 2005, Paul Harvey was awarded the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, our Nation's most distinguished civilian 
award.
  Prior to his passing on February 28, 2009, Paul Harvey was a beloved 
son, brother, husband, father, and friend. It is with great pride that 
I stand here today to say, ``Good day to you, Paul Harvey.''
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a man who epitomized 
American values and ideals. With that, I urge the passing of my 
resolution, H.R. 223, honoring his life and legacy.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and would 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, in closing, I was introduced to Paul Harvey 
30 years ago as an ironworker, working at the Inland Steel Plant in 
East Chicago, Indiana. Every day, when that lunch whistle would blow, 
all the ironworkers would gather at the lunchroom or in the trailer 
where we had lunch, and every ear was glued to that radio set. It was 
the plain-spoken, moral and commonsense views of Paul Harvey's that I 
think enlightened us all.
  So, with that, I just want to ask all of my colleagues to join with 
me and with the chief sponsor of this resolution, John Sullivan, the 
gentleman from Oklahoma. I ask that we pass this unanimously in memory 
of the life of Paul Harvey.
  Madam Speaker, 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. 223, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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