[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2262-E2263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              JOHNNY GRANT HOLLYWOOD POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2009

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, there could be no more appropriate moniker 
for a Hollywood post office than Johnny Grant's. The unofficial mayor 
of Hollywood for more than half a century, Johnny's name is synonymous 
with the community he loved and promoted so well.
  It is especially appropriate that the post office at 1615 North 
Wilcox Avenue, just off of Hollywood Boulevard, would bear his name, as 
he managed to secure a Hollywood postmark, despite the fact that it's 
not its own city. Only Johnny Grant could have pulled that off. While 
celebrating his 84th birthday, Johnny said that the Hollywood postmark 
was one of three accomplishments of which he was most proud, along with 
the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame.
  I had the privilege of knowing Johnny and calling him a friend for 
many years. I always admired his incredible zeal for life. He brought a 
tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm to everything he did--which 
was never on greater display than when he tirelessly supported our 
Nation's veterans. While serving in the Army Air Corps during World War 
II, his ``Strictly GI'' radio show was broadcast in New York City and 
North Carolina, featuring stories of interest to servicemen and women. 
He went on to do 60 USO tours and personally sponsored trips in Korea 
and Vietnam to show his deep support and commitment to our men and 
women in uniform, to encourage them and boost morale during very 
difficult times.
  Johnny produced and hosted the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots telethon 
for ten years, and organized countless other events raising millions 
for the USO, the Boy Scouts of America, police and fire services and 
veterans organizations.

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  Hollywood, the City of Los Angeles and the entire Nation mourned his 
death in January of last year. H.R. 2760 is a modest but fitting 
tribute to Hollywood's favorite son, and I think he would appreciate 
seeing his name live on in the community he loved and called home for 
over fifty years.

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