Congress nominates Jerry Lewis for Gold Medal

[Sonic Youth]

Thursday September 7, 5:35 AM
Congress taps funnyman Jerry Lewis for Gold Medal

Agence France-Presses (Who else?)


A bipartisan group of US Senators has nominated entertainer and philanthropist Jerry Lewis for the Congressional Gold Medal for his decades-long efforts to fight muscular dystrophy, a crippling neurological ailment.

"Jerry Lewis has served the United States by helping our nation smile in difficult times and by helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association find a cure for this a debilitating disease," said Democratic US Senator Robert Menendez, who submitted Lewis's name for the honor.

"For these efforts he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, has received numerous awards, and has been honored with a resolution by the United States Senate expressing appreciation for his philanthropic work," said Menendez, who represents the comedian's native state of New Jersey.

The Congressional Gold Medal -- the highest honor that can be bestowed by Congress -- is awarded to any individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity and national interest of the United States of America. The recipient need not be a US citizen.

"Inducting Mr Lewis into the ranks of distinguished Congressional Gold Medal recipients would be a fitting accolade to this larger-than-life individual," Menendez said.

Lewis, a screen icon and fixture of the Las Vegas night club circuit, in 1966 began an annual telethon benefiting children and adults affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases. The 41st edition of the program held this past Monday raised a record 61 million dollars.

Other sponsors of Lewis for the congressional honor include Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada and Democrat Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.

"Jerry Lewis not only makes people laugh -- his serious commitment to fight muscular dystrophy has improved the lives of thousands of kids," said Lautenberg.

"This kind of commitment is what made America great, and it is why Jerry Lewis is a great American."