Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of the Arrowhead Christian Academy (ACA) 1997 varsity football team of Redlands, CA. On December 13, 1997, the ACA Eagles made history by winning the 1997 CIF-Southern Section Division XII Championship, thus becoming the first team to win back-to-back CIF championships in San Bernardino County, CA. The Eagles' remarkable season was further highlighted by being ranked fifth in the state by Cal-Hi Sports in Division V. Despite competing against several higher division teams, the Eagles racked up a total of 567 points over the course of the season and won four shut-out games. With their renowned offense scoring an average of 40 points per game that their unmovable defense holding its opponents to an average of just 14 points per game, it is no surprise that the Eagles ended their season with a remarkable record.11-3. Special recognition is in order for Head Coach Dan Finfrock, Assistant Coaches Drew Rickert, Dave Wiseman, Dave Marshall, Jon Burgess, Nate Finfrock, and Trainer Ben Mulder for their leadership and service. Additional congratulations go to Coach Finfrock for being named CIF Southern Section Division XII Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Many of the Eagles were honored with awards. CIF All-Southern Section awards included: First Team--Dan Jeffers (Defensive line), and Second Team--Steve Wharry (Linebacker). All Southern-Section CIF Division XII awards included: Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Reed (Fullback), and Defensive Player of the Year: Dan Jeffers (Defensive Tackle). Other All CIF selections included: Brandon Camacho (Nose Guard), Danny Schaper (Offensive Tackle), Ben Ballard (Quarterback), and Trevor Wilson (Wingback). First Team All Christian League selections were: Trevor Wilson (MVP), Steve Wharry (Defensive MVP), Brandon Camacho (Nose Guard), Ben Ballard (Quarterback), Jonathan Reed (Fullback), Robbie Ramos (Corner Back), Dan Jeffers (Offensive Tackle), and Joe Ramos (Corner Back) Second Team All Christian League selections were: Allan Kavalich (Center), Carl Overholt (Wing Back), Robbie Ramos (Wing Back), D.J. Gallagher (Tight End), Danny Schaper (Offensive Tackle). Honorable mention: Nick Selle (Offensive Tackle), Steve Hale (Tight End), and Ben Gradias (Tight End). Other members of the 1997 Eagle championship team include: Robbie Whittenburg, Jeff Harry, Israel Marshall, Will Kimble, Chad Aldaco, Ben Foster, Jeremy McAllister, Joey Morrison, Paul Avila, Jacob Southworth, Noah Rivera, Nick Goldtry, Bryan Traynmham, Gavin Fort, Danny Paul, Chris Hardin, Steve Avila, Daniel Meers, Nik Kreutzer, Tim Mason, and Jared Richards. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the team's families and many friends in honoring the 1997 Arrowhead Christian Academy football team. It truly has been yet another unforgettable season for the Eagles and it is only fitting that the House recognize them today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague from Texas yielding to me. It indeed is a great honor for me in just a few moments sharing the thoughts that I shared personally on more than one occasion with and about my dear friend Ron Dellums. It is one thing to talk about how you feel about public affairs. It is one thing to talk about how you feel about friends and family. But if you have spent much of your life in a thing called public affairs and serving people, it is impossible to begin to tell your colleagues and your friends just how much you would wish that your life could in a small part emulate that which has been my experience with Ron Dellums. I first heard about this fellow at a time when he certainly had no idea that I might be around. I was then a graduate intern in the San Francisco area, assigned as a part of that work to the East Bay Labor Council where I had the privilege to spend a good deal of time with a fellow by the name of Jeffrey Cohelan. When I really heard about Ron Dellums was a few years after that when Ron Dellums had the audacity to run against Congressman Cohelan in a primary and defeat that incumbent Member of the Democratic Party in the House. Ron Dellums, from the perspective that was a Republican perspective, was from the radical left. I mean, indeed, he was the heyday of the Berkeley days. And my perception of him was so different than one could get from afar by way of just that background and experience of mine. I mean, he beat a guy who had been good to me, and he was obviously one of these guys from the nutty left. And then years after that, as I began to look at public affairs in a different kind of way, recognizing that very few of our problems are solved by partisan politics alone, recognizing that the importance of work in public affairs comes down to the quality of the people that we attract. It says on one of those buildings in California, bring me men to match my mountains. And in many a way, our people have a way of doing that regardless of the label. Ron Dellums is one of the great Americans to ever serve in the House of Representatives. I want to say that from the bottom of my heart, but I want to say much more than time will allow. So I will take this moment to tell Ron that the time that we have spent together here on the floor, the time we have spent together, special time in other parts of this building, I have grown to have an affection for you that I can express about few others outside of my family, there are few that I care for more. Ron Dellums is exactly the kind of person that gives me hope for the future of our society as well as the future of our government. If we can continue to attract people of this talent, of this ability to communicate verbally and otherwise, people who really care as he cares, then the country, the Republic and indeed much of the world, not only will be better for it but has a great future in reflecting upon his work. Ron, God bless you and your family, and to say the least, we will miss you. So farewell, my friend.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, let me express my appreciation to the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown) for his participating in this very important session today; and I would join him in extending appreciation to the Speaker, as well as the minority and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) for their giving us time tomorrow, for we will have a memorial service for Sonny Bono at 10 in the Hall of Statutes, a very unusual opportunity for the House. One of my colleagues mentioned that he will never quite forget that twinkle in the eye that Sonny always carried with him on or off the floor. Sonny also had this wonderful smile that just absolutely melted anybody who would even consider challenging him on one issue or one problem here or there. We all know of Sonny and Cher. Many did not have the opportunity to participate in a very small service that took place a couple of evenings before the formal funeral service, but there Mary and Cher were both present. They are dear friends who together spent those several days nurturing their children in this time of pain and sadness. But the poignancy of their relationship is a reflection of the quality and strength of our friend, Sonny Bono. I must say that we all remember Sonny and Cher by way of perhaps their first hit record, which was entitled, ``Baby Don't Go.'' We all know of ``I've got you, Babe.'' Sonny has had an impact upon all of us in many a way throughout his lifetime but certainly during his service in this House. I want to express both condolences but also deep appreciation for some others as well, the staffs of Sonny Bono both in California and here in Washington, especially Brian Nestande, his administrative assistant; Beverly Swain and Frank Cohen. Further, let me say in conclusion that Sonny has made a difference in the House of Representatives in that he strove to make certain that we did all in our power in spite of our differences from time to time to work together in a nonpartisan way on behalf of the people of this country. To quote and join one of my colleagues, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), let us all say we are going to miss you, babe.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent, since our time is running out, for an additional 20 minutes to complete the discussions regarding this resolution.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 338) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown). (Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it was with great sadness that I was awakened in the middle of the night during the recess. I want to share with my colleagues that I was struggling in my subconscious, attempting to put together words that were of condolence to my colleague the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy] regarding the recent tragic loss in his family, only to be awakened by a telephone call from a reporter, Jim Specht, who writes for a number of newspapers in our region, Jim told me of the tragic accident that led to the death of our friend and colleague, Sonny Bono. To say the least, we were all shocked by this development. Sonny Bono is one of those very, very unusual people you meet very rarely in public life or in life in general. Sonny is survived by his oldest children, Christy and Chastity, and by his lovely wife Mary and their children, Chesare, who is 9 years of age, about to be 10, and Chianna, who is 6. During the time he was with us, Sonny demonstrated to all of us that he is one of the most unusual characters you could ever meet. But by way of background, Sonny Bono came to California when he was 7 years old and moved to Los Angeles. Following high school he got his first job, that of being a meat truck driver. I think we all know that his heart lay in the entertainment business. In those early days he was developing his skills as a music writer. Often on those trips around the city of Los Angeles making stops for his product purpose, he would also drop off at various locations various songs that he had developed. Sonny's talent became very apparent to all the world when his then girlfriend, Cherilyn Sarkasian, and he made their first recording together, among a number of recordings that led to that show known as Sonny and Cher. Between 1971 and 1974, Sonny and Cher were among the great hits across the country. They had an impact upon young people of that age that is remembered by all. Following that work, which eventually came to an end, the partnership came to an end, about 1974, Sonny went on with his business over a period of time. He then took the next step in terms of his most amazing career. In the early 1980s, he established what were to become known as Bono Restaurants, first in Los Angeles, then in Texas. I began to personally get to know Sonny when he opened such a restaurant in Palm Springs, California. At that time, the location of the restaurant was actually in my own district. In Palm Springs, he quickly became known by anybody who enjoyed both the entertainment as well as the fun restaurant opportunity in Palm Springs. As he developed that process in Palm Springs, he found himself having some difficulty with local government regulations. It seems there was a conflict that arose over a sign that he needed for his restaurant. Local bureaucracy, he would suggest, was getting in the way. That kind of led to a minibattle that caused Sonny a different way, perhaps for the first time, to especially focus upon politics. With that confrontation, when the local person resisted what he thought was sensible public policy, he indicated that maybe the best alternative for him was to run for office and become that person's boss, Sonny wanted to make sure that sense was made out of local policy. With that, Sonny became the mayor of Palm Springs. Known by all in Southern California in connection with that, after some time carrying forward that work, he ran for the U.S. Senate. I mention that, even though he was unsuccessful in the primary process, only by way of giving a preliminary hint of the quality and mix that is the character of Sonny Bono. The person who won that primary, Bruce Hershenson, along with our colleague Tom Campbell and Sonny all ran in that primary, Bruce eventually won the primary. But in spite of an intense process, Sonny and Bruce Hershenson developed a personal relationship that was as deep as any I have ever seen in public affairs. They were fast friends and loyal friends from that point to this day forward. Sonny ran for the House of Representatives in 1994 when the seat became vacant, as our colleague Al McCandless decided to retire. With his election who will ever forget Sonny's early stay in the House. I wonder how many of those of you who are here with me today remember that event in which he was a guest during his first term at the annual press club dinner, a black tie affair. You know how we all love those black tie affairs. Sonny was one of the speakers chosen that evening during his first term, and I remember very, very clearly Sonny's giving formal written remarks, from the start I could sense he was not particularly comfortable with them. About halfway through the remarks, he turned, and it looked as though somebody was a little perplexed. He said, hey, you are trying to give me the hook, huh, an old slang line for people in the entertainment business to get you off the stage. With that, Sonny threw aside his written remarks and began talking about his real feelings about his experience in the House. It is really amazing what developed. A half an hour late, he had these cynical press people rolling in the aisle. Sonny Bono demonstrated his sense about the House and used his sense of humor ofttimes in times of critical circumstance to bring us together. In our Conference, time and time again, he illustrated that his voice was exactly what was needed to provide the sort of oil that allows us to work together. He did that not only in our Conference, but also on both sides of the aisle as well. Sonny served with us in the House as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary. He was very active in the war on drugs and demonstrated an ongoing and active interest in copyright law and intellectual property concerns. You will hear a good deal today about his most important concern as it relates to the environment, for he has been the co-chairman of our task force dealing with the Salton Sea, which, as many of you may know, is the largest inland lake in the West. It clearly involves the most important environmental challenge that faces the United States insofar as the West is concerned. Sonny also worked on the Committee on National Security and played a very big role in making sure that our Armed Forces have the quality and strength that are required for this country that now leads the free world. Mr. Speaker, with that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde). (Mr. HYDE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman's discussion regarding the extension of that Sunday meeting where the five of us were together, which is the last time I was with Sonny as well, and the remarks of the gentleman caused me to say that indeed, Congressman Brown and I have looked at the problems of the Salton Sea for some time, and especially my colleague from San Bernardino County has expressed long-standing concern, since he was born in Imperial County, which has a piece of the Salton Sea, but all of us somewhat frustrated over the years watching this incredible asset deteriorate the way it has. At one time the annual commercial values surrounding the Salton Sea were about $100 million a year, and it has come to the point now with a combination of sewage that flows from the New River into the Salton Sea, the sewage that flows from Mexico adds to a tremendous problem. There is salt that flows from the agricultural activities that are adjacent to the Salton Sea. It is a reality that as of this moment what is a very, very important national asset and important environmental asset will all but be wasted and lost unless we take some action in a very short period of time. Maybe 5 years from now it will be too late. Well, it was Sonny taking over the chairmanship of this task force and helping us all to focus in a special way that the gentleman from California reminds me has helped us crystallize a process here that I think will end up leading to a solution, maybe an expenditure of hundreds, not tens of millions, but hundreds of millions of dollars, but nonetheless, the result on the other end being a legacy to Sonny's service here that is most important.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleague to yield at this point because he is raising a very, very important item that kind of goes to the heart of some of the mystery of Sonny Bono. The early days of Sonny and Cher, it was very obvious that he was the butt of the jokes that were part of their routine. But what was not so obvious was that Sonny was the person who produced those programs. He wrote the jokes and had the strength of character to see the value of his being the butt of the jokes. The fool in this event involves the person who does not understand that strength and that quality. For Sonny Bono without any question, among other things, understood the value of humor properly placed and the strength it could have in terms of making a point and indeed in terms of bringing people together. It is a quality that is sorely missed by all of us but one that is absolutely needed in a body like the House of Representatives.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim). (Mr. KIM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox). (Mr. COX of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman). (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.]

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the minority leader of the House.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the comments of my colleague the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank). I wonder if my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown), would like me to yield time for any closing remarks? Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown). (Mr. BROWN of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution, H.R. 338, memorializing Sonny Bono.