House Tribute to Francis Albert Sinatra

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http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r105:1:./temp/~r105spvuG2::
May 15, 1998

Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise to recognize Francis Albert Sinatra , a man whose voice brought wonder and joy to the lives of millions. Natural, original, the ultimate. These are just a few words to describe Mr. Sinatra's voice. A talent such as Mr. Sinatra's is rare, once in a lifetime. We are all very fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience Mr. Sinatra's voice and charisma.
Francis Albert Sinatra was born December 12, 1915, in a tough, working-class neighborhood of Hoboken, N.J. The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Sinatra's determination, perseverance, and belief in himself lead him to stardom. A dramatic American success story.

Mr. Sinatra's signature songs included `Night and Day,' `Mack the Knife,' `Old Man River,' `New York, New York,' `Come Fly With Me,' `Strangers in the Night'--and, of course, `My Way.' Indeed, he did do it his way and for that we all must be grateful.

Pete Hamill astutely described the world's love and attachment to Sinatra in New York magazine in 1980. He wrote, `Sinatra's endurance has become a rallying point for many people who feel that their sacrifices and hard work are no longer honored, their values demeaned, their musical tastes ignored and sneered at. . ..They had overcome poverty and survived two world wars; they had educated their children and given them better lives; and sometimes their children didn't even care. But it should never be forgotten that Frank Sinatra was the original working class hero. Mick Jagger's fans bought records with their allowances; Sinatra's people bought them out of wages.'

Mr. Sinatra received the Kennedy Center honor in 1983 and was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Reagan in 1985. And on May 14, 1997, the Congress awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal in `recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions through his entertainment career and humanitarian activities, and for other purposes.' I was pleased to be an original cosponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Sinatra recorded more than 200 albums, from Big Band to vocal American music. He won nine Grammy Awards. In 1954, he won the Oscar for his role in `From Here to Eternity.'

Francis Albert Sinatra is an American phenomenon. He entertained the world for more than half a century. His songs have become classics, and belong to him alone. He was a man who chose not to hide his ethnic identity, but to flaunt it in an era when such things were not done. In so doing, he opened a path that allowed other ethnic entertainers to retain their own heritage and pride. In this, the American century, Frank Sinatra in many ways embodied the American spirit, and as our century comes to a close, we must acknowledge the loss of a unique American character, of his endurance, and his talent, and for this we mourn his passing, and praise his legacy.

[provis99]

1. Sinatra was a no-class bully who hung out with gangsters. And a Republican.

That should be on his epitaph.

[WCGreen]

3. He was a huge backer of JFK and Bobby....

[classysassy]

2. "Old blue eyes"

a truly great entertainer and great human being.