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shalanna Senators want Congressional Gold Medal for Jerry Lewis
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Fitting, I believe. JL deserves such an honor. Whatever you may think of him, *most* of us see his good heart and his dedication to improving the lives of people with MD, ALS, myasthenia gravis, and other diseases that were once thought to be "hopeless" to treat and manage. Sure, some of his movies are slapstick, but nothing's mean-spirited (they're about the triumph of the underdog, for the most part); some are still very watchable today. Yes, he may have done some outrageous stuff or tossed off some nasty comments now and then--but who hasn't? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Let God judge who is worthy by looking inside the secret heart.
Find out what's going on with Mr. Lewis at his website, www.jerrylewiscomedy.com.
From The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Three senators introduced a resolution Wednesday to honor Jerry Lewis with the Congressional Gold Medal for his philanthropy and contribution to entertainment. The resolution was sponsored by Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both Democrats from New Jersey, and Republican Sen. John Ensign, of Nevada. Lewis was born in Newark, N.J., and lives in the Las Vegas area.
Lautenberg said Lewis' annual Labor Day telethon to battle muscular dystrophy has improved the lives of thousands of children. "This kind of commitment is what made America great, and it is why Jerry Lewis is a great American," Lautenberg said.
Menendez said honoring Lewis with the medal "would be a fitting accolade to this larger-than-life individual."
Lewis, 80, has received numerous awards for his philanthropy. His telethon, which has raised $1.4 billion to fight muscular dystrophy since 1966, this year raised a record $61 million.
Congressional legislation is required to award the medal and needs the sponsorship of at least two-thirds of the House of Representatives and 67 senators. Other recipients have included George Washington, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II, and Charles M. Schulz. (I miss Charlie Brown and Snoopy. *sniff*)
Fitting, I believe. JL deserves such an honor. Whatever you may think of him, *most* of us see his good heart and his dedication to improving the lives of people with MD, ALS, myasthenia gravis, and other diseases that were once thought to be "hopeless" to treat and manage. Sure, some of his movies are slapstick, but nothing's mean-spirited (they're about the triumph of the underdog, for the most part); some are still very watchable today. Yes, he may have done some outrageous stuff or tossed off some nasty comments now and then--but who hasn't? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Let God judge who is worthy by looking inside the secret heart.
Find out what's going on with Mr. Lewis at his website, www.jerrylewiscomedy.com.
