[House Report 105-109]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
105th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 105-109
_______________________________________________________________________
TO CONFER STATUS AS AN HONORARY VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED
FORCES ON LESLIE TOWNES (BOB) HOPE
_______________________________________________________________________
June 3, 1997.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Stump, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.J. Res. 75]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred the
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) to confer status as an honorary
veteran of the United States Armed Forces on Leslie Townes
(Bob) Hope, having considered the same, reports favorably
thereon without amendment and recommends that the joint
resolution do pass.
Introduction
On April 30, 1997, the Honorable Bob Stump, Chairman of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Honorable Lane Evans,
Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, and other members introduced H.J. Res. 75, to
recognize entertainer Bob Hope as an honorary veteran.
The full Committee met on May 21, 1997 and ordered H.J.
Res. 75 reported favorably to the House by unanimous voice
vote.
Summary of the reported bill
H.J. Res. 75 would:
1. LExtend the gratitude of the American people to
entertainer Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope.
2. LConfer upon Bob Hope the status of honorary veteran for
his lasting contribution to American society by entertaining
this nation's troops overseas from World War II through the
Persian Gulf War.
Background and Discussion
Bob Hope has been successful in all areas of show business,
but the Committee believes Hope's most important contribution
to American society was entertaining this nation's troops
overseas as the GI's entertainer. Having attempted to enlist in
the Armed Forces to serve his adopted country During World War
II, he was informed that his greatest service would be as a
civilian entertainer for the troops. This he did with unmatched
diligence, perseverance and grace.
From World War II through the Persian Gulf War, Bob Hope
performed for millions of American GIs stationed all over the
world. He performed in some 45 United Services Organizations
(USO) tours in more than 40 countries, and his annual Christmas
show lasted 22 years.
As far as the Committee can determine, honoring Bob Hope in
this fashion would mark the first time Congress has bestowed
such an accolade. The Committee acknowledges that such
accolades should be accorded only after a thorough review of a
person's service to veterans throughout his or her life and
should be viewed as an honor. Bob Hope has performed such
remarkable service. This measure enjoys the full support of the
major veterans organizations.
Cited by the Guinness Book of Records as ``the most
honored'' entertainer in the world, Hope has received more than
50 honorary doctorates, and is the recipient of thousands of
awards, including prestigious honors from the major veterans
organizations. His humanitarian work was recognized with the
Congressional Gold Medal. President Johnson honored Hope with
the Medal of Freedom, and President Clinton bestowed on him a
Medal of the Arts. The United States Navy recently dedicated
the USNS BOB HOPE (T-AKR 300), the lead ship in a new class of
Strategic Sealift vessels. On April 22, the Air Force dedicated
its newest C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in the name of Bob
Hope for his contributions to the Air Force.
The Committee has determined that the time has come for
Congress to recognize his valuable contributions on behalf of
America's grateful veterans and to thank and honor him for the
memories he has given to all Americans.
Statement of Administration's Views
The Committee has not requested the Administration's
comment on this resolution.
Oversight Findings
No oversight findings have been submitted to the Committee
by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
The following letter was received from the Congressional
Budget Office concerning the cost of the reported resolution:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 21, 1997.
Hon. Bob Stump,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.J. Res. 75, a bill to
confer status as an honorary veteran of the United States Armed
Forces on Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mary Helen
Petrus, who can be reached at 226-2840.
Sincerely,
June E. O'Neill,
Director.
Enclosure
congressional budget office cost estimate
H.J. Res. 75--A bill to confer status as an honorary veteran of the
United States Armed Forces on Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
on May 21, 1997
CBO estimates that H.J. Res. 75 would have no effect on the
federal budget. The bill would give honorary veteran status to
Bob Hope. According to information from the General Counsel's
office in the Department of Veterans Affairs, making Mr. Hope
an honorary veteran would not entitle him to receive veterans
benefits because such benefits are available only to
individuals who served on active duty in a military department.
Because the bill would not affect direct spending or
receipts, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. H.J. Res.
75 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 and would
not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.
The estimate was prepared by Mary Helen Petrus, who can be
reached at 226-2840. This estimate was approved by Robert A.
Sunshine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Inflationary Impact Statement
The enactment of the reported resolution would have no
inflationary impact.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The reported resolution would not be applicable to the
legislative branch under the Congressional Accountability Act,
Public Law 104-1.
Statement of Federal Mandates
The reported resolution would not establish a federal
mandate under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, Public Law 104-
4.
Statement of Constitutional Authority
Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution,
the reported resolution would be authorized by Congress' power
``(T)o provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of
the United States.''
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