[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BOB NEWHART
_____
HON. MIKE QUIGLEY
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and
legacy of Bob Newhart, TV star and comedian.
In 1972, The Bob Newhart Show premiered and catapulted Bob into a new
tier of critical acclaim, adoration, and commercial success. Known for
its dry humor and heart, The Bob Newhart Show drew millions of viewers
into a Chicago-based story about a psychologist and his clients and
friends. With incredibly strong ratings and significant praise, the
show ran for six seasons, leading to his other acclaimed show, Newhart.
Through these efforts, Bob connected with homes and families through
his extraordinary storytelling skills. He was described by coworkers
and friends as kind, funny, and intellectual, and is remembered as
humble and warm despite his fame.
Before reaching comedic stardom, Bob graduated from Loyola University
Chicago with a bachelor's degree in business management. He then served
two years in the Army during the Korean War and held jobs in accounting
prior to recording the comedy album that won him Album of the Year at
the 1961 Grammys, ``The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart''. Bob had a
love of philanthropy and used his comedic talents to emcee at various
benefits from childhood cancer to Scleroderma research. He was adamant
about using his career and success for the benefit of others and showed
the world how important that mission was to him by raising $350,000 for
the National Children's Cancer Society.
Bob was a true Chicagoan and proved that through the exposure he gave
the city in his show as well as his enthusiastic support for the Cubs.
The city is proud to honor his life and legacy through renaming the
street by the Edgewater condominium to ``Bob Newhart Way''. Thanks to
him, this building is one of the most recognizable in Chicago,
appearing in The Bob Newhart Show's opening credits for 142 episodes.
The city of Chicago and the whole country have lost an incredible
figure who shaped modern comedy and sitcom TV, and he will be dearly
missed. His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and
friends, and he will be remembered by the lives that he touched through
his work and philanthropic efforts. I am forever grateful to Bob for
shining a light on this incredible city and showing was it means to be
a true legend.
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