[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5924-5925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF DICK CLARK

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, Dick Clark is a name that is synonymous with 
the American spirit. He was an entrepreneur, an entertainer, and a 
patriot. For decades, Americans of all stripes welcomed him into their 
living

[[Page 5925]]

rooms to hear new music, to be entertained, and to ring in the new 
year.
  Dick had that uniquely American ability to be forward-thinking while 
grounded in tradition. He had a passion for the universal appeal of 
music and understood that it could unite people across barriers of both 
age and race.
  He knew this country to be a land of opportunity, and he, in turn, 
created opportunity for countless others. In fact, he was such a 
tremendous mentor to so many that spending time with Dick came to be 
known as attending ``Clark University.''
  In 2004, he suffered a stroke, but the indomitable Dick Clark never 
slowed down. Thousands of Americans found yet another reason to draw 
inspiration from America's oldest teenager. He continued to work hard 
and take pleasure in every single day.
  I remember thinking on the last night I spent with him, shortly 
before he died, that Dick would live to be 100. Sadly, I was wrong.
  Within hours of his unexpected passing, the White House called and 
asked that I convey the condolences of President and Mrs. Obama to 
Dick's wife, Kari, and his children, Rac, Duane, and Cindy, and their 
families.
  Dick Clark enriched the lives of millions and leaves a legacy that 
will, no doubt, touch generations to come.

                          ____________________