[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BOB NEWHART

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. President, in late July, Vermonters and Americans 
mourned the passing of Bob Newhart, a talented and award-winning actor 
who changed the history of comedy forever. His celebrated television 
show, ``Newhart'' aired on CBS from 1982 to 1990 and gave the United 
States a window into dreamy, rural Vermont's picturesque Green Mountain 
view. As Dick Loudon, Mr. Newhart brought laughter and Vermont Values 
into the living rooms of millions of Americans.
  In ``Newhart,'' Dick and his wife escape New York City and buy the 
Stratford Inn, better known by the real-world residents of Middlebury, 
VT, as the Waybury Inn. The production crew saw the Waybury Inn while 
scouting locations and knew it was the perfect location. The inn still 
has props from the show on display, and the 214-year-old inn hosts 
travelers and diners to this day. Over the show's 184 episodes, Mr. 
Newhart and his cast centered their show around the fictional Stratford 
Inn, capturing the very real spirit and beauty of Vermont and the hard-
working people that make it home.
  Television and the arts play the important role in our lives and 
culture, bringing together friends and families, bridging cultural 
divides, and helping heal during times of difficulty. Mr. Newhart's 
Grammy and Emmy award winning performances and countless television 
shows and movies exemplify the power of comedy--and the essential role 
the arts play in our social fabric.
  Mr. Newhart was an icon of comedy and Hollywood, but Vermonters will 
always remember his time as our favorite innkeeper.

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