Congressional Gold Medal for Jerry Lewis

The Issue:

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR JERRY LEWIS CALL TO ACTION

MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis is a lifelong philanthropist and contributor to entertainment. A bill to recognize Jerry Lewis for his accomplishments by awarding him a Congressional Gold Medal has been introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives. See: Proposed Legislation & Cosponsors.

Proposed Legislation:

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Jerry Lewis (H.R. 3035 / S. 1603)

Sponsors: Congressmen Donald Payne (D-NJ), Jon Porter (R-NV), Gus Bilirakus (R-FL) [H.R. 3035] and Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), John Ensign (R-NV) Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) [S. 1603].

Cosponsors: House of Representatives and Senate

MDA - On the Record:

MDA resolutely believes that Jerry Lewis deserves the Congressional Gold Medal because:

• Jerry Lewis, 82, has devoted virtually his entire adult life to the battle against neuromuscular diseases. He’s the national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and receives no pay for his work for MDA.


• He is the world’s best known entertainer associated with a specific nonprofit cause.


• As star of the MDA Labor Day Telethon for 41 years, he has been instrumental in raising more than $2 billion for MDA’s programs of research, medical care, summer camps, education and other services.


• Jerry's dedication to raising support for MDA’s worldwide research program is turning hope for a better future into reality. MDA-backed scientists are on the brink of developing treatments and cures for many muscle-wasting diseases.


• Jerry’s efforts have helped MDA establish 225 hospital-affiliated clinics nationwide to provide medical care for hundreds of thousands of families affected by neuromuscular diseases. And MDA sends more than 4,000 young people with neuromuscular diseases to summer camp every year.


• In 1976, the U.S. Senate adopted a resolution of appreciation to Jerry “for his outstanding contributions in the fight against muscular dystrophy.” In 1977, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1985, the U.S. Department of Defense presented him with its highest civilian award, the Medal for Distinguished Public Service.


• In recognition of his talents as an entertainer, producer and director, Jerry was inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1991, the International Humor Hall of Fame the following year.


• In 2005, Lewis was awarded the television academy's prestigious Governors Award in recognition for his work on behalf of MDA.


• Jerry and an MDA delegation testified before the U.S. Senate in 2001. As a result, the MD-CARE Act provided a dramatic boost in federal research funding for all forms of muscular dystrophy.


• He has been honored for his philanthropy by several U.S. presidents and by heads of state from other countries. [France, Spain]


• The late Les Aspin, former congressman and Secretary of Defense, said, “Jerry Lewis is a man for all seasons, all people and all times. His name has, in the hearts of millions, become synonymous with peace, love and brotherhood.”