JERRY LEWIS NOMINATED
FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

TUCSON, Ariz., June 13, 2007 — Today, three U.S. senators introduced a resolution to honor MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis with the Congressional Gold Medal for his lifelong philanthropy and contribution to entertainment.

The resolution, sponsored by Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both Democrats from New Jersey, and John Ensign, a Republican from Nevada, 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.

“This kind of commitment is what made America great, and it is why Jerry Lewis is a great American,” Lautenberg said.

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

An identical resolution is expected to be introduced in the House in the near future.

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.