[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF EUGENE LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2023

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, this week, we mourn the death of Eugene 
Lee, a celebrated and innovative set designer from Providence, Rhode 
Island.
  Perhaps most widely known as production designer for Saturday Night 
Live, he was longest serving member of the show's production staff, 
joining the team for the show's debut in 1975. During his tenure, he 
created iconic sets including Wayne's World, Putin's office, and the 
More Cowbell recording studio.
  He was also production designer for The Tonight Show with Jimmy 
Fallon from 2014-2018, creating the Manhattan skyline-inspired set, and 
for Late Night with Seth Meyers.
  He is a three-time Tony Award winner for Broadway's Candide, Sweeney 
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Wicked and was nominated 
for 18 Emmys, winning 6. His is also a three-time recipient of the 
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design, and was presented with the 
Lucille Lortel Award, the Elliot Norton Award for Sustained Excellence, 
the Pell Award, and the DesignxRI Lifetime Achievement Award. He is an 
inductee of both the New York Theater Hall of Fame and the American 
Theatre Hall of Fame.
  Eugene shared his talents with the Providence community as the 
resident designer at Trinity Repertory Company, and our arts community 
was proud and lucky to have him as a member.
  Beyond his immeasurable talent, Eugene was a wonderful person, and I 
am grateful to have called him a friend.
  My thoughts are with his wife Brooke, their sons Willie and Ted, his 
entire family and all of those who knew and loved him.
  The world is a bit darker without his light. May he rest in peace.

                          ____________________