June 1, 2012 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 158, Pt. 6 8183 Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. TRIBUTE TO GEORGE SMITH lences to the family and many friends of Consortium of Catholic Academies LINDSEY, -BORN George Lindsey during this time of loss. His Archbishop Carroll High School ACTOR, PHILANTHROPIST sense of humor and passion for his home will Catholic Charities of D.C. never be forgotten. The Catholic University of America HON. JO BONNER f University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL OF ALABAMA MURFREESBORO ISLAMIC CENTER Diocese of Joliet, IL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Catholic Charities of Joliet, IL Friday, June 1, 2012 ´ Diocese of Springfield, IL HON. ANDRE CARSON Catholic Charities of Springfield, IL Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay OF INDIANA The University of Notre Dame tribute to—and honor the life of—a great Ala- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Diocese of Fort-Wayne-South Bend, IN bamian and devoted philanthropist. It is with Friday, June 1, 2012 Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend, sadness that I acknowledge the loss of George Lindsey, one of the finest actors to Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise IN today saddened that yet another community in St. Anne Home, Indiana call Alabama home, who passed away on May 6, 2012, at the age of 83. America is attempting to stop construction of Franciscan Alliance Born in 1928, George Lindsey grew up in an Islamic Center, this time in Murfreesboro, Our Sunday Visitor Jasper, Alabama, where he attended Walker Tennessee. Michigan Catholic Conference County High School. It was there that, while Unlike the controversy that surrounded the Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO also starring on the football field and playing construction of the Islamic Center near the Catholic Charities of St. Louis, MO basketball, he discovered his love of acting World Trade Center Memorial, the opponents Diocese of Jackson, MS through school plays. He went on to attend here cannot mask their disdain for Muslim Catholic Charities of Jackson, MS Walker Junior College and then the Kemper Americans by claiming to act on behalf of the Vicksburg Catholic School Military School in Boonville, Missouri. In 1952, families of the victims of 9/11. In fact, the op- St. Joseph’s Catholic School after earning a scholarship for his skills at ponents have not even tried, instead letting Diocese of Biloxi, MS quarterback, George received his Bachelor of their prejudice and paranoia dictate their De I’Epee Deaf Center, Inc., Biloxi, MS Bioscience from the Florence State Teachers course. Catholic Social and Community Services, Inc., College, which is now the University of North It is ironic that these opponents contend, Biloxi, MS Alabama. without any evidence, that Muslim Americans Resurrection Catholic School, Pascagoula, MS After college, George enlisted in the U.S. Air in Murfreesboro want to replace the Constitu- St. Dominic Health Services, Jackson, MS Force and, while stationed in Puerto Rico, tion, while they hypocritically ignore freedom Diocese of Rockville Centre married Joyanne Herbert. Upon his discharge of worship, a belief so central to our Nation it Catholic Health Services of Long Island from the Air Force in 1955, he returned to Ala- is enshrined in the 1st Amendment. Catholic Charities of Rockville Centre bama and began a brief career in education at What makes America great is our people’s Archdiocese of New York Hazel Green High School, teaching history unshakeable love of freedom and a monu- ArchCare and coaching baseball and basketball. mental history that welcomes every viewpoint, Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH It was in 1956 that George Lindsey’s acting faith, and background. As our Nation grows Diocese of Erie, PA career began with his acceptance to the and its diversity widens, we must not forget St. Martin Center, Erie, PA American Wing Theater in New York City. the values on which we were founded. Prince of Peace Center After a stint on Broadway, he portrayed var- We cannot, in one instance, celebrate free- Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA ious characters on popular television shows dom of expression, and in the next, silence Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh, PA such as The Rifleman, , The Twi- those with whom our viewpoints differ. We Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Dio- light Zone, and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. cannot, in one breath, claim that all Americans cese of Pittsburgh, PA Then, in 1964, George began his career-defin- are free to worship as they see fit, and in the Diocese of Dallas, TX ing role as the lovable, kind-hearted Goober next, oppose an effort to build the house of Diocese of Fort Worth, TX Pyle on . This char- worship that makes exercising that freedom possible. Religions should not and will not be bullied acter, known for his ‘‘Goober Dance’’ and Anyone can embrace freedom of expression into violating their beliefs. Cary Grant impression, followed him through the shows R.F.D and as when their viewpoints go unchallenged. The A government edict is not a substitute for well. American way means that those who vehe- religious doctrine. Above all his success on the screen, mently disagree are able to speak their views It is a sad day in our country when groups George was most passionate about giving side by side and that differing faiths can be have to sue the Government in order to pro- back to his home state of Alabama. From practiced streets apart. We must all ask our- tect a basic right guaranteed in our Constitu- 1973 to 1988, he raised over $1 million for the selves—will we abandon our Constitutional tion. Alabama Special Olympics through the principles when they allow others to voice George Lindsey Celebrity Golf Weekend, opinions that are contrary to our own or prac- And that’s just the way it is. which drew countless actors and athletes to tice a faith different than our own? Or will we Montgomery every year. He also raised stand up for the freedom of all Americans to f $50,000 for the Alabama Association of Re- practice their own beliefs? That is the true test tarded Citizens through his participation with of what it means to be American. PERSONAL EXPLANATION the Minnesota Special Olympics National The Murfreesboro Islamic Center has been Competition, and in 1998 he founded the facing down protests since 2010 and is once George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at the Uni- again making headlines after a judge ruled HON. ADAM SMITH versity of North Alabama, which promotes the that the local officials did not provide sufficient OF WASHINGTON talents of local filmmakers. public notice under local law before approving Aside from providing wholesome laughter the project. I know that the Muslim American IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for three decades through his career as an community would want this project completed Friday, June 1, 2012 actor, it goes without saying that George in accordance with local ordinances, so I fully Lindsey’s contributions to the state of Alabama expect they will work with officials to ensure Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on are indeed vast and significant. A recipient of the appropriate process is followed. Tuesday, May 8, 2012, I recorded an erro- the Governor’s Achievement Award and the Once these processes are completed, I neous vote on the amendment offered by Mr. Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award, hope that opponents will recognize that con- HUIZENGA of Michigan to H.R. 5326. I intended George has left a legacy of passionate gen- struction is protected by our Constitution. Ad- to vote ‘‘no’’ on rollcall vote No. 215, on erosity that will certainly be missed. ditional vandalism and intimidation is counter agreeing to the Huizenga amendment to H.R. Mr. Speaker, it is on behalf of the people of to everything we stand for as Americans and 5326. Alabama that I would like to extend my condo- everything that makes our country great.

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