[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JEFFREY GRALNICK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Jeffrey 
Gralnick, who passed away this past May at the age of 72. A legendary 
news executive and producer, Jeff's 52-year career began with the 
black-and-white news segments of the 1950s and grew into leadership 
positions at nearly all the major broadcast networks including ABC, 
CBS, NBC, CNN, and MSNBC.
  One of the first producers of ``60 Minutes,'' Jeff worked with Walter 
Cronkite, Don Hewitt, Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, Barbara Walters, 
Brian Williams, Katie Couric, and Tom Brokaw. As an executive producer 
and network executive, Jeff oversaw the broadcasts of space launches, 
presidential elections, and was in charge of the CBS news desk on the 
day President Kennedy was assassinated.
  Jeff's enduring legacy is memorialized in the people he mentored over 
the years who are employed throughout the news industry. A tough and 
demanding teacher, Jeff was always eager to share his knowledge and 
experiences with younger coworkers. His intense character, 
professionalism, and integrity have left a lasting impression 
throughout the news industry.
  A fierce competitor with a tireless work ethic, Jeff was always 
welcome to new challenges. After beating his first bout with cancer in 
his early sixties, Jeff found inspiration in the saying ``as soon as 
you feel too old to do something do it,'' and decided to climb to the 
peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, nearly making it to the top.
  I offer my condolences to Jeff's wife of 41 years, Beth, their son 
Robert, their daughter Kate and her husband Tim, their grandson Adam, 
and Jeff's brother Bill. Even though Jeff passed away this past May, 
his work will live on through the broadcasts he has produced, the 
networks he helped shape, and the anchors and producers he mentored 
throughout his career.

                          ____________________