[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10219]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF PAUL BERLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2017

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize the life of a 
local icon: longtime Texas and Houston radio legend, Paul Berlin.
  Spanning nearly seven decades, Paul's career in radio began after he 
won a local ``So You Want to be an Announcer'' contest at the young age 
of 17. Although a native of Memphis, Tennessee, Paul moved to Houston 
when he was 19, where he officially began his radio career as a local 
disc jockey at KNUZ Radio.
  Paul's warm personality, jovial manner, and unique radio persona 
attracted fans from all genres of music, but his love of music went far 
beyond his radio appearances. As the owner of a string of nightclubs, 
Paul promoted concerts and dances hosted by legends such as Chuck 
Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Nat King Cole, across the Houston area.
  His passion for music eventually carried him overseas, where Paul 
toured U.S. military bases across Europe and brought the sounds of home 
to thousands of our young service members.
  Over the years, Paul worked with music legends such as Elvis Presley, 
Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Mary Tyler Moore, and Sonny & Cher. However, 
he never stopped playing the music of local Houston singers, and he is 
credited with starting many songwriters' careers.
  Before he retired in 2004, Paul went on to DJ at three other Houston 
stations. Six years after retiring, his love for music pulled him back 
into the radio business, and he returned to host a Saturday evening 
special at KSEV.
  In 1998, Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and 
in 2002, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Paul's 
storied career earned him many honors, such as the American Women in 
Radio & TV Media's Radio Personality of the Year and Marconi Award 
Nominee for Major Market Personality of the Year.
  Paul was preceded in death by his precious wife of over sixty years, 
Nezzie. He is survived by five sons, Brad and his wife Patti, Glenn and 
his wife Sue, Bruce and his wife Dana, Craig and his wife Jamie, and 
Donald; nine grandchildren, Evan, Elise, Ross and his wife Melissa, 
Valerie, Denise and her husband Josh, Austin and his wife Cam, Paul, 
Carson, and Courtney; three great grandchildren, Samantha, Paige, and 
Tate; and many nieces and nephews.
  Paul's formula for happiness, ``someone to love, something to do, and 
something to look forward to,'' rings true today, and his love of music 
and dedication to his community made Houston a far happier place. On 
June 23, 2017, Paul passed away at the age of 86, and he will be sorely 
missed.

                          ____________________