[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E217]]
  TRIBUTE TO DENNIS WEAVER--HOLLYWOOD ACTOR AND AVID ENVIRONMENTALIST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer my 
condolences to the family and friends of Dennis Weaver, who have 
recently suffered the tragic loss of a great man. Mr. Weaver passed 
away on Friday, February 26th at his home in Ridgeway, Colorado.
  Mr. Weaver was perhaps most famous for his role as Chester Good on 
``Gunsmoke'' and for the T.V. series ``McCloud,'' though he appeared in 
many T.V. movies, films, and even released his own country music album. 
As a fan of Western classics, I was continually impressed by Mr. 
Weaver's talent on screen and his ability to bring laughter and 
happiness to millions of Americans.
  The passing of Mr. Weaver strikes a more personal chord because he 
was such an involved member of the Colorado community. In addition to 
his work as an actor, Mr. Weaver was also a dedicated activist for many 
environmental and humanitarian causes. He assisted in founding Love is 
Feeding Everyone, a program which currently helps to feed 150,000 
hungry people a week in Los Angeles County. He has been honored by 
Haven Hills, a shelter for battered women, and the Pacific Lodge Boys' 
Home. In addition, he was on the Advisory Board of the ``Center for 
Environmental Solutions,'' and even resided in his own environmentally 
friendly solar-powered house that he and his wife built in my 
Congressional District.
  Though I only had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Weaver once, I was 
struck by his sincerity and his dedication. His talent as an actor is 
to be admired and his role in the community has been invaluable. He 
will be greatly missed, not only by his close friends and family, but 
also by the millions of lives he touched through his work onscreen and 
his role in the community.

                          ____________________