[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             DON FRANCISCO

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim Mr. 
McHenry's time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to rise today to honor 
the 20th anniversary of the television personality Don Francisco and 
his wildly popular show Sabado Gigante.
  This show was created and is still hosted by Mr. Mario Kreutzberger, 
better known as Don Francisco, and is watched every Saturday evening 
by, get this, more than 100 million people worldwide.
  Don Francisco's Spanish language international television show Sabado 
Gigante was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the 
world's longest-running variety program.
  After a successful 24-year run in Chile, the show's operations were 
moved to the United States in 1986 when it began airing throughout the 
Americas, through the prominent U.S.-Spanish television network, 
Univision.
  By 2001, Don Francisco had already been honored with a star on the 
Hollywood Walk of Fame and The New York Times said he was, quote, 
``probably the most popular and best-known Hispanic television 
personality,'' end quote, and described him as ``a mix of Ed Sullivan, 
Regis Philbin, Art Linkletter, Bob Barker, Geraldo Rivera and Phil 
Donahue, with a dash of Oprah Winfrey's civic-mindedness.''
  Don Francisco, your commitment to the U.S.-Hispanic community helped 
bridge the gap between North America and our the Latin American 
cultures. Your determination taught newcomers the values and the 
endless opportunities that their adopted country has to offer.
  Don Francisco, you have had a long and illustrious career that has 
spanned many years of service, dedication, hard work and devotion not 
only for Hispanics, but for all Americans across our country. Your 
leadership throughout the past years has helped our Hispanic community 
grow to become one of America's largest-growing populations and the 
ideals that it stands for have become an intrinsic part of our country.
  A stronger and more educated American population contributes to the 
greatness of this wonderful Nation, making us competitive for this new 
global economy in this technologically advanced society.
  Your commitment to enriching the lives of others is truly 
commendable. It is the perseverance and the compassion of people like 
you who continue to help in the development of a stronger, healthier 
and more successful community for all Hispanics in the United States.
  Don Francisco, you have been such an incredible influence for all 
Americans across the Americas that this tribute is much well deserved. 
Your personality, your charisma, your willingness to help others and 
your incredible talent have assured you a prominent place in television 
history.
  I congratulate Don Francisco wholeheartedly, and I wish him the very 
best. Felicidades, Don Francisco and 20 more years.

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