Washington, DC— Today the House of Representatives considered and passed a resolution (H.Res.361) honoring the life of Jack Valenti, the longtime President of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).  Mr. Valenti passed away on April 26, 2007. 

Congresswoman Watson, the author of the resolution, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives:

“Both Washington and Hollywood lost an icon in April with the passing of Jack Valenti, the former president of the Motion Picture Association of America.  For nearly four decades, Jack served as the public face of Hollywood, where he was most famous for creating the film rating system we use today.

“Jack’s career as a public servant began during World War II when he flew B-25 bombers for the United States Army.  After the war, Jack served as one of President Lyndon Johnson’s closest advisors.  Jack left the White House after several years to become a pioneer in the entertainment industry.  Joining MPAA in 1966, Jack created the movie rating system we use today.  Jack served as one of Washington’s most effective lobbyists, moving easily between Hollywood and Washington as the President of MPAA for 38 years.

“After his tenure at the Motion Picture Association, Jack joined the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria and committed himself to increasing the quality of life of those suffering from the devastating effects of disease and poverty around the globe.  He served as a tireless spokesman for disease-devastated communities across the globe, navigating the halls of Congress with statesmanlike agility to ensure that the United States increased its funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other such programs. 

"Not only has the global health community lost a great advocate, so has the entertainment industry.  Washington lost a truly great friend.”

The text to H.Res.361 can be located at http://www.congress.gov