Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Paul Harvey, affectionately known for his signature line, "This is Paul Harvey. . .Good Day".

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 223) Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Paul Harvey, affectionately known for his signature line, ``This is Paul Harvey . . . Good Day,'' as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, it is with profound honor that I rise in support of House Resolution 223, which celebrates the life of legendary radio and television personality, Paul Harvey.

I'd first like to thank my colleague from Oklahoma, Congressman John Sullivan, for sponsoring this afternoon's condolence measure, which has amassed over 60 cosponsors here in the Congress since being introduced on March 9, 2009.

I'd also like to thank Chairman Towns from Brooklyn and my colleagues on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for their unanimous support in bringing this resolution to the floor.

We live in an age of unprecedented access to the news. Between the 24-hour cable news networks and the Internet, there's no shortage of sources from which citizens are informed.

Most of us remember a different time when Americans relied on a small number of outlets for each day's events. Before everybody had a blog, we placed our trust in a few individuals to represent the voice of the average citizen. And I am proud to say that Paul Harvey was certainly one of those trusted individuals.

There is no greater testament to Paul Harvey's distinguished career than its longevity. He was no more than a teenager when he first hit the airwaves, reading advertisements and news clips. After studying speech and literature at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Harvey worked at radio stations across the American heartland.

In 1941, Mr. Harvey sacrificed his personal aspirations in order to defend our country. He was a reporter in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and decided to enlist in the United States Army immediately following.

Upon conclusion of his national service, Paul Harvey set about redefining what it meant to be a radio host by delivering news in his own unique and humble way. Paul Harvey was never afraid of controversy, and he was not one to forfeit his principles. His style was part journalist, part showman and, fortunately for America, part everyman.

As many as 22 million people tuned in daily to hear Mr. Harvey give his take on the day's news. Perhaps it was his plain-spoken ability to connect with and reassure the American people that made him so popular. Consider this remark, which is as relevant today as it was when first spoken. ``In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.''

Paul Harvey was constantly recognized for his achievements, both as a broadcaster and as an outstanding citizen. He received accolades from the State of Oklahoma, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Salvation Army, the United States Air Force, The Humane Society and the American Legion, just to name a few.

In 2005, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor available to American civilians.

Throughout his life, Mr. Harvey was rarely without his loving wife, Lynn, whom he called ``Angel.'' Married in 1940, Lynn passed away on May 3, 2008. They are survived by Paul Jr., who followed his parents into broadcasting.

I ask that this body join the American people in celebrating the life of Paul Harvey, whom we lost on February 28, 2009 at the age of 90. We will certainly miss his contributions to the national dialogue. So, Madam Speaker, let us collectively and formally express our appreciation for Paul Harvey's life and career by adopting House Resolution 223.

I now reserve the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, but I continue to reserve.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I was introduced to Paul Harvey 30 years ago as an ironworker, working at the Inland Steel Plant in East Chicago, Indiana. Every day, when that lunch whistle would blow, all the ironworkers would gather at the lunchroom or in the trailer where we had lunch, and every ear was glued to that radio set. It was the plain-spoken, moral and commonsense views of Paul Harvey's that I think enlightened us all.

So, with that, I just want to ask all of my colleagues to join with me and with the chief sponsor of this resolution, John Sullivan, the gentleman from Oklahoma. I ask that we pass this unanimously in memory of the life of Paul Harvey.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 223, ``Honoring the Life, Achievements and Contributions of Paul Harvey.''

Born in 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Paul Harvey's fascination with radio started at a very young age when he would pick up radio stations on his homemade cigar box crystal set. As a teenager, he worked, sweeping the floors at the station KVOO until the station manager decided to give him a job. The rest, as they say, is radio history.

Mr. Harvey moved from Tulsa to accept a position working at KXOK in St. Louis. While working in St. Louis, Mr. Harvey met his beloved wife of 68 years, who later became the producer of his show.

From St. Louis, the Harveys moved to Chicago, where his daily program for ABC Radio, Paul Harvey News and Comment, became the highest rated radio program in the region. Building on his audiences in Chicago, his show was soon broadcast throughout the entire country. In 1976, Harvey started a second daily radio show, The Rest of the Story, telling anecdotes about famous people or historic incidents, always with a little twist at the end.

Mr. Harvey's upbeat, positive demeanor and the ability to weave together the stories of life in America made him a national treasure. His uncanny ability to find a story, then to give it his own folksy style, delivered in his unique cadence, was remarkably popular. Mr. Harvey never lost sight of the significance of everyday life and of the stories of ordinary people in America.

With well over a half century of broadcasting experience, Mr. Harvey's show reached an estimated 24 million listeners daily. Receiving countless honors over the years for his broadcasts, he received the highest acknowledgment of his career when, in 2005, Mr. Harvey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush.

Sadly, after more than 70 years on the air, Mr. Harvey passed away in February at the age of 90. The loss of Paul Harvey is the loss of a symbol of a simpler era in America. Even with the passage of time, his broadcast stories were as timely at the end of his life as they were back in Tulsa, where his career started. As Mr. Harvey would say at the end of each story, at the end of each show, ``And now you know the rest of the story.''

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan), the author of this resolution, and yield him as much time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and would yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life, achievements and contributions of one of Tulsa, Oklahoma's favorite sons and one of America's most cherished voices, Paul Harvey.

Perhaps best known for his signature line ``Good Day,'' Paul Harvey began his storied career in radio in Tulsa, making radio receivers and working as a fill-in announcer while a student at the University of Tulsa. Little did he know then that over the next 70 years he would go on to become one of America's most accomplished and beloved radio personalities of all time.

Referred to as the ``largest one-man network in the world,'' Paul Harvey was heard on 1,200 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces networks around the world. His broadcast and newspaper columns have been reprinted in the Congressional Record more than those of any other person. Through the use of free expression, Paul Harvey pioneered the format of radio broadcasts that we now find commonplace. He was a blogger before we knew what that was. He just did his blogging on the radio.

Over the course of his trailblazing career, Mr. Harvey received numerous accolades for his work, including being elected to the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He received 11 Freedom Foundation Awards as well as the Horatio Alger Award. In 2005, Paul Harvey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our Nation's most distinguished civilian award.

Prior to his passing on February 28, 2009, Paul Harvey was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and friend. It is with great pride that I stand here today to say, ``Good day to you, Paul Harvey.''

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a man who epitomized American values and ideals. With that, I urge the passing of my resolution, H.R. 223, honoring his life and legacy.