[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF GORE VIDAL

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight and remember the 
life of Gore Vidal, a celebrated American literary and cultural icon, 
who passed away this week at the age of 86. A writer famed for his 
acerbic wit, elegant style, tough-minded radical views, and versatile 
talent, Vidal's incredibly varied career boasted over 20 novels, in 
addition to memoirs, essays, plays, television dramas, and screenplays.
  Vidal was impressively characterized by the inimitable and revered 
Christopher Hitchens as being a 20th century answer to Oscar Wilde, a 
tribute to Vidal's cleverness and eloquence. As British author Martin 
Amis said in praising Vidal, ``he is learned, funny and exceptionally 
clear-sighted. Even his blind spots are illuminating.''
  In 2009, Vidal won the annual Medal for Distinguished Contribution to 
American Letters from the National Book Foundation. Unlike many of his 
intellectual contemporaries, however, he saw his role as a public 
intellectual not as a sidelined observer, but rather as an active 
participant in democracy and public affairs, contributing frequently 
and prolifically to the American political debate.
  This weekend, I will travel to New York to see a revival of his play 
``The Best Man,'' starring my fellow Memphian, Cybill Shephard. I ask 
everyone to join me honoring Gore Vidal for his many contributions. His 
was a life well lived.

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