[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HAL DAVID'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2011

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 90th birthday of a 
great songwriter, lyricist, advocate, and leading voice of America's 
artistic community: Hal David.
  The child of immigrants blessed with an extraordinary talent, Hal 
David has lived--and continues to live--the American dream. He used his 
musical gifts in service of our country as part of the U.S. Army 
Entertainment Section on the Pacific front during World War II. He 
returned home to write songs for the nation's top performers; produce 
Grammy-winning Broadway masterpieces and Oscar-winning lyrics; and 
partner with great composers to create soundtracks for stage and 
screen, and popular hits that remain classics to this day.
  For his achievements, his success, his creativity, and his 
contributions to our history and society, Hal David was inducted into 
the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of 
Fame.
  On behalf of his colleagues--whether leaders in the field, famous 
faces, or those struggling to earn their place in the pantheon of great 
artists--Hal David has advocated for the rights of all performers and 
writers in the halls of Congress and in our nation's public discourse.
  As President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and 
Publishers, he focused on key legislative issues facing music creators, 
led the charge against source licensing efforts, and oversaw the 
organization's increased presence in the field of country music. As 
Chairman and CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he invested in new 
technologies and an expanded digital presence for the institution, and 
strengthened the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
  Hal David has spent his career enriching our music, our culture, our 
society, and our nation. His story is a tribute to his desire to do 
what he loved, his willingness to work hard, his ability to succeed and 
thrive across generations, and his creativity. I join my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives, and fans of music across the country, in 
wishing Hal David a happy and healthy 90th birthday.

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