Kirk Watson: “I am proud to be the author, with my good friend, Darrell Issa, of this resolution to honor the life of a great American…”

“I am proud to be the author, with my good friend, Darrell Issa, of this resolution to honor the life of a great American and dear friend, Jack Valenti. Both Washington and Hollywood lost an icon in April with the passing of Jack Valenti. For nearly four decades, Jack served as the public face of Hollywood as the head of the Motion Picture Association of America 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 Air Force. After the war, Jack served as one of President Lyndon Johnson's closest advisers. 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 that we use today. Jack served as one of Washington's most effective lobbyists, moving easily between Hollywood and Washington as the president of the MPAA for 38 years. After his tenure at the Motion Picture Association, Jack joined the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as a final mission in his extraordinary life and committed himself to working tirelessly to increase the quality of life of those suffering from the devastating effects of disease and poverty across the globe.”