House Joins Senate in Proposing Gold Medal for Jerry Lewis

TUCSON, Ariz., July 16, 2007 — Today, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis with the Congressional Gold Medal for his lifelong philanthropy and contribution to entertainment.

The resolution, H.R. 3035, is similar to one that is pending in the Senate. The House bill was introduced by Rep. Donald M. Payne (D-NJ) and cosponsored by Reps. Jon Porter (R-NV), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).  
The effort needs the approval of at least two-thirds of the House of Representatives and 67 senators to pass.

Lewis, 81, has hosted the MDA Labor Day Telethon since 1966 and, through it, raised more than $2 billion to fight muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases. Last year’s Telethon raised a record $61 million.

"Jerry Lewis’ work, both as a humanitarian and an entertainer, has made an incomparable mark on American history. He is most deserving of this honor,” said Rep. Payne.

Among other medal recipients are George Washington, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II and Charles M. Schulz.

How you can help:

Check our complete list of the members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to see if your congressional representatives have already joined this effort. If they haven't, contact them through www.senate.gov or www.house.gov.