[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 22435-22436] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]``MARVIN ZINDLER--EYEWITNESS NEWS'' ______ HON. TED POE of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, to the residents of Houston and the surrounding cities, the name ``Marvin Zindler'' was synonymous with ``champion'' and ``crusader.'' You see, Marvin Zindler has just as many stories as the Lone Ranger himself--just as many tales about his struggles for justice too. He was a fighter for the ``little man,'' defending those who were swindled or scammed--seeking retribution the only way he knew how, with a bright light, an all-seeing camera lens, and a television audience. For the last thirty-four years, Marvin has been the much loved and revered face of television station KTRK Channel 13 in Houston, Texas. He was known for his consumer reporting--one of the first in the business to do so--letting the unsuspecting public in on the down and dirty dealing of local businesses throughout Southeast Texas. It was his thirst for integrity and justice among his fellow citizens that led Marvin to work day in and out to unmask the unscrupulous. But to truly understand Marvin, you have to understand the man behind the camera-- who he was before he became ``The Marvin Zindler.'' Marvin was born into the wealth and privilege of society in 1921 and he was not sure where he wanted to go in his life. Torn between careers, Marvin came roaring into the media world as a DJ and spot reporter for a former, local radio station. He moved onto a career with a former Houston newspaper and did spot news reports for a local television station. It was during his early stint in the media that Marvin began to lean towards the law enforcement profession. In the early 1950s, he was a volunteer police officer--all while continuing to be a voice in the media. In 1962, Marvin put aside his media career and became a member of the Sheriffs Department. Assigned to the fugitive apprehension unit, it was his responsibility to round and rope up those who sought to flee American justice. Madam Speaker, legend has it that Marvin Zindler once chased a Texas fugitive through the heat of the Mexican deserts and into the rainforests of Central America, where he caught up with the Texas outlaw in what was then the U.S. held territory of the Panama Canal Zone. Marvin had a U.S. warrant for this criminal's arrest, but it was not sufficient enough to arrest him in Mexico or Central America. So he just waited until the fugitive touched U.S. soil--the Panama Canal. He then brought him back to face the Texas courts. I first met Marvin back when I was a prosecutor. I have the honor and privilege of calling him a personal friend of mine and remained so throughout my judicial career. I can attest to his larger than life personality and his determination to make a difference in the world. With the Sheriff's Department, Marvin established and ran the consumer fraud division. He was good at his job, perhaps a little too good as rumor has it. In 1972, Marvin was fired from the Sheriff's Department because local businesses were angered by his consumer fraud investigations. It was soon after his abrupt departure from law enforcement, he was hired by Channel 13 to be their on-air consumer reporter. From then on, a star was born. Marvin Zindler stalked unscrupulous businesses like a lion stalks its prey. He was famous for his ``rat and roach reports'' on health inspections of local restaurants. He stood up to the bureaucrats who tried to walk on the backs of poor Houston residents, who did not have 2 dimes to rub together and had been swindled. He sought out immoral used car salesmen who made double-crossing deals of one-sided contracts and high interest rates--milking the consumers out of hundreds of dollars. While the Houston public adored their TV crusader, Marvin did make some enemies, including a local county sheriff. In 1973, not yet a year into his TV career, Marvin exposed the State's best kept secret, a brothel called the Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. His news story not only led to several ladies of the night being out of a job and national notoriety for his efforts and the embarrassment of local patrons, but a public fist fight with a county sheriff--who also happened to be a dishearten customer. The sheriff broke 2 of Marvin's ribs and snatched the toupee right off his head. It was this story that the famous long-running Broadway hit musical and eventual movie, ``The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,'' was based on. Marvin Zindler had a heart of gold. Using his fame and his voice, Marvin began ``Marvin's Angels''--a group of doctors who specialized in plastic and reconstructive surgery. These doctors then performed surgery on children who were born with facial deformities, such as a clef palate, and of course, at no charge to the child's family. He was the [[Page 22436]] worshiped face of Houston. In fact, he was so beloved that Channel 13 signed him to a lifetime contract in 1988--a rarity in the television world. It was something he always honored. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer in July, Marvin continued to make on-air appearances for Channel 13. Either from his sick bed or clothed in a robe and slippers, citizens could breathe easier knowing that Marvin was still fighting the good fight for them--the ordinary, everyday individuals, the people he cared the most for. Madam Speaker, on Sunday, July 29th, Marvin Zindler, the crusader of Houston, Texas, passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 85 years old. Robert Pelton, Marvin's good friend, had this to say about this extraordinary champion of the little guy, ``Marvin Zindler was the Lone Ranger and Superman, not just in Houston, but in the world. Marvin Zindler was a one man army for the underdog. With Marvin Zindler, there was no Governmental Red Tape.--He walked right through it. If he heard of an injustice or public corruption, he was there to expose and stop it. Marvin was a hero to every man, woman, and child who was a victim of discrimination and wrongdoing. He helped the crippled, blind, poor, and sick get help wherever they were. `I'll Call Marvin Zindler' was the battle cry of the underdog and it always worked. Being his lawyer, friend, and angel for 31 years was the highest honor anyone could have.'' Madam Speaker, people in the Great State of Texas fondly recall a man who was their champion--their ``Lone Ranger.'' For wherever Marvin Zindler went, unscrupulous business owners quaked in fear, trepidation, apprehension, and panic knowing that they were being caught with ``Slime in the Ice Machine''--one of Marvin's most famous sayings. Tonight, my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the entire Houston community as we mourn the loss of our dear friend, consumer advocate, Marvin Zindler. He was a man who served our Houston community and the people with honor and duty. He will be gravely missed. Madam Speaker, Each night Marvin signed off with the same words on his nightly newscast and I quote them for the last time, ``Marvin Zindler--Eyewitness News.'' And That's Just The Way It Is. ____________________