November 1, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2059 Mr. Speaker, Chuck Bryant has decided to TRIBUTE TO STEVE ALLEN PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL IMMI- retire from the Hi-Desert Water District, and I GRANT STATUS FOR CERTAIN would ask my colleagues to join me in thank- U.S. INTERNATIONAL BROAD- ing him for his years of public service, and HON. BRAD SHERMAN CASTING EMPLOYEES wishing him well in his future endeavors. OF CALIFORNIA SPEECH OF f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE Wednesday, November 1, 2000 HONORING DR. HOWARD SILVER OF TEXAS FOR HIS SERVICE AS CHAIR OF Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE COALITION FOR NATIONAL tribute to the late Steve Allen, one of the most Tuesday, October 31, 2000 SCIENCE prolific comedians, actors, and writers in our Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, country for the past 50 years. Mr. Allen, the I rise in support of this bill S. 3239 which HON. KEN BENTSEN original host of the ``Tonight Show,'' passed would amend the Immigration and Nationality away at his youngest son's home in Encino, Act to provide special immigrant status for cer- OF TEXAS California, on October 30, 2000. tain international broadcasting employees. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Allen started his show-business career S. 3239 would establish a new immigrant visa category for international broadcasting Wednesday, November 1, 2000 at a radio station in Phoenix, Arizona. He was drafted by the Army during World War II, but employees which would be subject to numer- Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of was released shortly thereafter because of his ical limitations. It would provide a maximum of the Congressional Biomedical Research Cau- asthma. He then moved to Hollywood for a job 200 visas in the first year, which would deal cus, I want to recognize the outstanding con- with a radio station. Mr. Allen transferred his with the current critical shortage of inter- tribution that Howard J. Silver, Ph.D. has radio act to television with ``The Steve Allen national broadcasters. Then it would provide a made during the past six years as the Chair Show,'' which debuted on Christmas in 1950. maximum of 100 visas annually for three suc- of the Coalition for National Science Funding Mr. Allen's greatest success came with the cessive years. Also, it would waive the labor (CNSF). As the volunteer leader of this volun- ``Tonight Show,'' which began in New York in certification requirement for the broadcasters teer organization dedicated to increasing sup- 1953. He is credited with establishing almost who receive the visas. port for investment in science, Dr. Silver has all of the conventions of late-night televisionÐ The people who work in the international worked tirelessly on behalf of researchers in the opening monologue, chatting with the broadcasting industry are highly skilled individ- all fields of science. His efforts at building and bandleader, and relying on a regular lineup of uals. They must have journalistic skills. They mobilizing a coalition of diverse organizations characters. His successors, Jack Paar, Johnny must be fluent in a number of languages. And has been a model of effective advocacy. Carson and Jay Leno on ``Tonight,'' and David they must have an in-depth knowledge of the Under his direction, the scientific community Letterman on ``Late Night with David people, history, and cultures of other nations. has brought the accomplishments of the Na- Letterman,'' followed suit. Historically, it has not been possible to find a tional Science Foundation (NSF) to a broad sufficient number of people in the American Mr. Allen's show involved madcap antics audience, explaining the many ways in which workforce who have this combination of skills. and was wholly unpredictable. For example, NSF-funded research has improved our under- The availability of these visas would help to Mr. Allen, who was 6-feet 3-inches tall, standing of the world and increased our stand- provide needed broadcasters for the Voice of plunged into a huge bowl of salad for a wres- ard of living. These achievements and their America (``VOA''), Radio Free Asia, Inc. tling match on the show. He once peddled hot clear benefit to all Americans are why I have (``RFA''), and Radio Free Europe/Radio Lib- dogs on the street, dressed as a vendor. He been, and will remain, a staunch supporter of erty, Inc. also featured actors Bill Dana, Louie Nye, increased funding for NSF. This bill would provide the assistance that Tom Poston and Don Knotts for a scripted the international broadcasting industry needs Dr. Silver has been with the Consortium of version of ``Man on the Street'' interviews. Mr. Social Science Association (COSSA since to continue to provide essential news cov- Allen also did these for real. Another recurring erage around the world. I urge Members to 1983. He has been COSSA's Director since routine involved Mr. Allen reading actual angry 1988 and is responsible for planning and di- support it. letters to the New York Daily News with all the f recting all of the consortium's programs and artificial righteous indignation they indicated. initiatives. Dr. Silver previously was a consult- The skits were hilarious. Mr. Allen left ``To- REPRESENTATIVE SIDNEY YATES: ant for legislative and political research, a po- night'' at the end of the 1956 season. From A GENTLEMAN, A STATESMAN litical manager, and a legislative analyst in the 1956 through 1961, Mr. Allen hosted a reprise AND A HERO Department of Education. He earned his Ph.D. of ``The Steve Allen Show,'' which was in the in political science from Ohio State University, time slot against ``The Ed Sullivan Show.'' and he has taught political science and public HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY policy at several colleges and universities. Throughout his television career, Mr. Allen OF ILLINOIS showcased improv actors, and on-the-edge In recent budgets and appropriations bills, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bookings for the era, including Lenny Bruce Wednesday, November 1, 2000 the Administration and Congress have recog- and Bob Dylan. He also invited jazz musicians nized the value of the NSF and the research to his shows. Mr. Allen showcased soloists Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, to all that it supports. These actions will result in with the ``Tonight'' band and interviewed leg- those who love the arts, cherish the environ- continued progress in science and technology endary musicians for a television program ment, or are part of the ongoing struggle for that will benefit Americans now and in the fu- called ``Jazz Scene U.S.A.'' human rights, Sidney Yates was a hero. He ture. The contributions of Dr. Silver and CNSF will be remembered for his tireless support of Mr. Allen appeared on other television to the heightened appreciation of NSF have the National Endowments for the Arts and Hu- shows. He created ``Meeting of Minds,'' which been substantial. Through his advocacy, I am manities, his advocacy for Native Americans, won an Emmy in 1981 for best informational pleased that this year the NSF will receive his work to protect treasures of nature from series. The show presented imaginary debates $4.4 billion an increase of $514 million than the Sequoias to Chicago's lakefront. He was between historical figures such as Charles last year and a 13 percent increase above this elected in 1948, the year the state of Israel Darwin, Attila the Hun and Marie Antoinette. year's NSF budget. This increase will help to was born and he worked throughout his career Mr. Allen also appeared in several movies, ensure that move merit-based, peer-reviewed to foster U.S.-Israel friendship. Millions of peo- wrote over 8,000 songs, and wrote numerous grants will be funded. Today, one in three ple can thank Sid Yates for the Holocaust Mu- books on a variety of topics. grants is not funded because there is insuffi- seum for which he was largely responsible. cient funding for them. Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, the actress For the occasion of his 90th birthday last Samuel E. Rankin, III of the American Math- Jayne Meadows, four sons, 11 grandchildren summer, Congressman BARNEY FRANK and I ematical Association will have the honor of and three great-grandchildren. circulated a huge card for Sid Yates, and succeeding Dr. Silver. He should have the sci- Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, members were literally lined up waiting for entific community's continued support as he please join me in paying tribute to Mr. Steve their chance to sign. I was pulled into the Re- endeavors to continue the course that Howard Allen for his contribution to the entertainment publican cloakroom so that more of his former J. Silver charted so ably for the past six years. world and for helping each of us laugh. colleagues could wish him well. The words
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