Robert Menendez | United States Senator | New Jersey
Senator Robert Menendez
The Menendez Message
Sign up to learn about my work in the U.S. Senate on behalf of the people of New Jersey.

Contact Me

 

OFFICE LOCATIONS:
502 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202.224.4744
202.228.2197 fax

One Gateway Center,
Suite 1100
Newark, New Jersey 07102
973.645.3030
973.645.0502 fax

208 White Horse Pike, Suite 18
Barrington, New Jersey 08007
856.757.5353
856.546.1526 fax

Newsroom

Senate Floor Statement of Senator Menendez

Statement of Senator Robert Menendez on the Resolution to Award Jerry Lewis with the Congressional Gold Medal

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

M. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senator Ensign and Senator Lautenberg to introduce a resolution to award Jerry Lewis with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. This well-deserved recognition pays tribute to the many outstanding and enduring contributions Jerry Lewis has made throughout his career.

Born in 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, this gifted comedian has been a fixture in the entertainment community for more than five decades keeping spirits high and Americans laughing during some of the most turbulent periods in our history–World War II, the Cold War, and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But in addition to his comic persona, Lewis is also an active champion of charitable causes with an undying commitment to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy. Mr. Lewis has served for five decades as the National Chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which is an incredible organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of countless families dealing with the challenges associated with muscular dystrophy. Forty years ago, he began the “Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon,” an annual television program that benefits children and adults affected by muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases. This year, Mr. Lewis achieved an amazing accomplishment. His annual Labor Day telethon raised a record $61 million to fight this disease.

M. President, in September of 1976, this great body adopted a resolution expressing their appreciation of Jerry Lewis’ philanthropic endeavors, in particular, his fight to find a cure for muscular dystrophy. Today, I believe a fitting accolade to this larger than life individual would be for him to join the ranks of distinguished Congressional Gold Medal recipients. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jerry Lewis, supporting the fight to end muscular dystrophy, and co-sponsoring this important resolution.

M. President, I ask unanimous consent that my statement be included in the Record.

 

 
Standing up for New Jersey Families