Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding time to me, and I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado as well and I want to thank the Speaker for the opportunity to talk…
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding time to me, and I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado as well and I want to thank the Speaker for the opportunity to talk about H.R. 323, which is what was mentioned before, a bill which will name the third-floor library at Ellis Island in New York Harbor as the Bob Hope Memorial Library.
I would also like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for his assistance and support of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, most Americans remember Bob Hope for his work in the entertainment business, as a comedian, actor, dancer, singer, as well as his work with American troops abroad; but what few know or remember about Bob Hope is that he was an immigrant from England.
The gentlewoman mentioned he came to the United States when he was only
4 years old, and certainly he is referred to as America's most famous immigrant whose life epitomizes the American Dream.
I would like to also take this opportunity to vent my frustration a little bit with the National Park Service and its handling of this legislation.
We need to pass this bill. I read in Congressional Quarterly that the National Park Service does not support the bill on the grounds that Bob Hope's journey through Ellis Island and his life's accomplishments may not be enough to warrant renaming the island's library in his honor.
I want to say that they presented that same sort of testimony before the committee; and the committee had the good sense, in a bipartisan fashion, to reject that kind of thinking, because this is something that is very deserving for Bob Hope because, after all, it is Bob Hope. Everyone knows Bob Hope and everyone knows what he stood for. Bob Hope embodies the American Dream, and the Ellis Island Restoration Commission even called naming the library a fitting tribute.
After a long period of restoration, Ellis Island was turned into a museum in 1990 for people to come and remember the 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954 to pursue the American Dream.
When I talk about Ellis Island and the immigrants who came through Ellis Island, it is very personal because all four of my grandparents came through Ellis Island, and so many Americans had family coming through Ellis Island. It is estimated that some 40 percent of the current United States population has roots in Ellis Island. So this is a very fitting thing that we do today in memory of Bob Hope.
Like many of the other 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, Bob Hope arrived in America with little. Bob Hope described himself upon arrival as ``a 4-year-old boy in knickers who had no idea of the opportunities that lay ahead.'' He went on to become a household name in the United States and around the world as well.
After arriving in the United States, the Hope family moved to Ohio, and he later started his career in radio. He moved on to appear in numerous movies and Broadway plays. He is perhaps best known, however, for his unwavering commitment to entertaining our Nation's military overseas. Who can ever forget all the various Bob Hope shows at Christmas and Thanksgiving and all throughout the year entertaining our troops in harm's way?
For nearly six decades, often during holidays, from World War II all the way through the Persian Gulf War, Bob Hope traveled the globe, bringing a little bit of America to U.S. troops during times of war and peace. Troops abroad even called him ``G.I. Bob,'' and in 1997 Congress even named him as an honorary veteran for all the work he did with veterans serving overseas.
Bob Hope has been honored in many ways for his work. In fact, the family tells us he has been honored with over 1,500 awards. Some notable awards include several Academy Awards, obviously; a Congressional Gold Medal in 1962; an Emmy; and a Golden Globe.
Despite all the awards Bob Hope received, he had a special place in his heart for Ellis Island, and in 1990 when the Ellis Island Restoration Commission suggested naming the third floor library of the museum in his honor, he stated that it would be ``one of the single most important highpoints in my career.''
Sadly, Bob Hope passed away in 2003 at the age of 100 and did not see this project finished. So the Bob Hope Memorial Library will serve as a daily reminder to Ellis Island's visitors of Bob Hope's great contributions to the American people, American culture, and the American dream.
Mr. Speaker, I have a letter from Bob Hope expressing his support of the museum as well as a letter from the Ellis Island Restoration Commission expressing their support for this project which I will include for the Record.
In conclusion, I want to just say I know that everyone supports this and I trust this will pass unanimously because, after all, this is Bob Hope.
May 3, 1991.
Mr. Philip Lax, President,
Mr. Norman Liss, Chairman of Development,
Ellis Island Restoration Commission,
New York, NY 10005.
Dear Phil and Norman: As you well know, I am very honored
to be part of the Family Heritage Center at Ellis Island.
However, with my trip to Saudi Arabia at Christmas, two
television specials and a hectic schedule, I have not been
able to fully express my enthusiasm for the project.
Enthusiasm, by the way, which is greater than ever.
Is it possible that I can meet with you and Ann Belkov of
Ellis Island along with Alan Prigge and his associate
Friedman to discuss details of the campaign and/or a news
conference?
I'll be in New York from June 12-16 and hope we can all
meet during that period at my Garden City Hotel suite to go
over the important details. Or, would you like to set a press
conference date hosted by Secretary Lujan?
Once again, the Ellis Island recognition is very special to
me and my family and I really appreciate this great honor.
Warm regards,
Bob Hope.
