October 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 170 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING AL BURTON

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                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2019

  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, joined by Representatives 
Jackie Speier and Anna Eshoo, I rise to recognize legendary television 
producer Al Burton, who died last week at his home in the Bay Area at 
the age of 91.
  Born in 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, Al graduated from Northwestern 
University in 1948. Then it was off to California where he made his 
mark.
  Al initially focused on shows and events targeted at teens, becoming 
known as the Teen Dean of Television, with shows like Tele-Teen 
Reporter and Spotlight on Youth. He also created the Miss Teen-Age 
America pageant ( which became Miss Teen USA).
  During this early period Al worked with a young Johnny Carson on the 
game show Do You Trust Your Wife? (later retitled Who Do You Trust?) 
and produced as well as directed a weekly talk show, The Oscar Levant 
Show.
  In the 1960s, Al put on live and broadcast musical concerts. This 
included the first live television performance of The Beach Boys, the 
first appearance in the U.S. of The Rolling Stones, as well as concerts 
by The Doors, Cream, and The Four Seasons.
  Then, starting in the early 1970s, Al worked with Norman Lear to 
revolutionize and change the very face of television. He worked on such 
iconic shows as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, 
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Diff'rent Strokes, and The Facts ofLife.
  Al went to work on his own in 1983, continuing to produce television 
shows. These shows included Charles in Charge, The New Lassie, and Win 
Ben Stein's Money.
  During Al's long career his positive attitude and steadying demeanor 
helped manage difficult talent to allow the show to go on. For many of 
his television shows he even wrote and published the theme song as 
well.
  Al's contribution to American culture is immeasurable. Millions of 
Americans, and indeed people around the world, have him to thank for 
helping to expand their horizons and for countless hours of pure 
enjoyment.
  Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Sally Burton, and their 
daughter, Jennifer Burton Werbe.

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