Edolphus Towns: “I rise this evening to say farewell to a great friend and a great American, Jack Valenti, who passed away last Thursday.…”

“I rise this evening to say farewell to a great friend and a great American, Jack Valenti, who passed away last Thursday. When Jack spoke, people listened. His soaring eloquence and remarkable intellect made this town a better place and all of us better legislators. How lucky we were to know him and to have him as a resource and a friend. Jack served in President Lyndon Johnson's administration, and made his name and reputation early. Jack quickly became known as a hard worker, making friends with both Democrats and Republicans alike. When Jack resigned his White House position and became president of the Motion Picture Association of America, his star really began to shine. We are going to miss Jack Valenti, a person that had the ability to bring people together, a person that had the ability to let people understand that we all need each other. Jack, we are going to miss you, but I am certain you will be screening pictures in heaven.”