National Comedy Center Recognition Act

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McClintock for yielding me such time as I may consume to address the subject matter of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, for once on this floor, this is a laughing matter. The purpose of this bill is to officially designate the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, as the National Comedy Center for the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, our country doesn't currently have a national center to recognize comedy and the important role it plays in American culture. I can think of no better place for such a center than in our district in the city of Jamestown, the birthplace of Lucille Ball.

Across the country and all over the world, people recognize Lucille Ball and ``I love Lucy'' as one of the most

popular television shows of all time. The National Comedy Center will celebrate her impact and many others in the world of comedy when it hosts this August the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival for the grand opening of the National Comedy Center.

All jokes aside, Mr. Speaker, this museum is much bigger than one person in Lucille Ball. This is about comedians who have practiced their art and have celebrated the healing aspects of humor in our society. With more than 50 exhibits that engage and excite, this museum is the first of its kind dedicated to celebrating comedy in all its forms and the people who share the laughter it brings.

It is the Cooperstown of baseball, the Dayton of pro football, and the Cleveland of Rock and Roll.

I would like to thank the men and women whose hard work and dedication to the National Comedy Center have gotten us here. In particular, I would like to thank all those who made the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, possible; including Journey Gunderson, Tom Benson, and the rest of the National Comedy Center board for their tireless work; as well as former County Executive Vince Horrigan, and present Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello, as well as the mayor of Jamestown, Sam Teresi, for their unwavering support in this bipartisan endeavor.

I thank Greg Edwards of the Gebbie Foundation as well as all the other foundations and contributors that helped make this a reality. Most of all, we want to recognize the comedians and artists who have shared their talents for years with Jamestown to make this possible.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I ask my friends and colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6077) recognizing the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, the National Comedy Center in downtown Jamestown, New York, is a nonprofit institution that tells the story of comedy in America.

Opening next month, the center is a live performance space as well as an interactive museum. It is the first national scale, nonprofit, cultural institution with a visitor experience dedicated to comedy outside of the U.S. Senate.

The museum is acquiring the personal archives of prominent American comedians and will showcase more than 50 exhibits on the history of comedy from early vaudeville to today. In addition, the center operates the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, as Jamestown is the birthplace of Ms. Ball.

H.R. 6077 will officially designate the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, as the National Comedy Center. The center will not be a part of or affiliated with the National Park System. Just to be crystal clear, this designation will not require Federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the center--no joke.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed), who is the author of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask for adoption of the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill is sponsored by Mr. Reed of New York, and it officially designates the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, as the National Comedy Center and recognizes it as the only museum that exists to celebrate comedy in the United States.

The National Comedy Center is set to open for the first time early next month. This honorary recognition will highlight the museum and the importance of the comedic arts which brighten the lives of everyday Americans.

I want to congratulate Congressman Reed for his hard work on behalf of Jamestown, New York, and the Comedy Center. I am very happy to lend my support to the preservation of institutions that preserve parts of our cultural identity, and I do urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we should all be smiling when we say we support this bill--and that is no laughing matter.

Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.