[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 174 (Tuesday, October 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E986-E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE OF ``MR. PALM SPRINGS'' HAROLD MATZNER

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2025

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute 
to Harold Matzner--known to so many as ``Mr. Palm Springs''--who passed 
away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 88.
  Harold was larger than life, a man of vision, conviction, generosity, 
and deep love for the Coachella Valley.
  As Chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, McCallum 
Theatre, Palm Springs Art Museum, and Palm Springs Tennis Club, Harold 
helped shape the cultural and civic heart of our region. As a 
philanthropist he gave from his heart. For over nearly four decades, he 
donated more than $70 million to local nonprofits, strengthening our 
hospitals, food banks, children's services, and LGBTQ+ organizations.
  Under his leadership, the McCallum Theatre flourished, hosting world-
class performances, community events, and educational programs that 
have touched countless lives. It is a place where students discover the 
arts for the first time, families share in the joy of music and dance, 
and audiences of all ages have their spirits lifted.
  As a Board Member of Eisenhower Medical Center, Harold helped 
strengthen one of the

[[Page E987]]

most vital health care institutions in the desert. Having worked there 
myself as an emergency physician, I saw firsthand the incredible care 
Eisenhower provides, mending broken bones, treating heart attacks, 
saving lives, and serving as a beacon of healing for our communities. 
Harold's steadfast support helped Eisenhower grow into one of the 
finest hospitals in the region.
  He revitalized the Palm Springs Tennis Club, turning it into a 
welcoming gathering place for friends and neighbors. And at his beloved 
restaurant, Spencer's, named after his Siberian husky, he built a space 
where community and generosity were always on the menu.
  Harold was also pivotal in revamping the Palm Springs International 
Film Festival, serving as its chairman for more than 20 years, donating 
over $12 million of his own funds, and transforming it into a global 
beacon that draws Hollywood and international attention every year. His 
efforts turned the festival into a vital economic and cultural engine 
for the Coachella Valley.
  Harold believed in the power of the arts to uplift and unite people. 
He believed in health care access as a foundation for dignity. And he 
believed in giving back more than you take, a principle that guided 
every chapter of his life.
  He leaves behind his life partner, Shellie Reade; his children, Devin 
and Laura; and his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily.
  My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by 
his generosity. He worked with everyone and poured his heart into the 
people and causes he believed in. I will miss him as so many who called 
him friend.
  May we honor his memory by carrying forward his passion for service, 
his generosity of spirit, and his unwavering belief in the potential of 
our communities.

                          ____________________