Typed Letter Signed to Frank Sinatra, Presenting the Pen Used to Sign Legislation for his Congressional Gold Medal

Typed letter signed from President Bill Clinton to Frank Sinatra, presenting him with the pen he used to sign into law the act awarding Sinatra a Congressional Gold Medal. June 10, 1997. On letterhead of the White House, Clinton writes: "Dear Frank: I was honored to sign into law the the legislation authorizing the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to you. You have touched the lives of so many people over the years, not only through your spectacular career as a performer, but also through your many humanitarian activities. I hope you'll enjoy the enclosed commemorative copy of the legislation and the pen I used to sign it. Hillary joins me in sending our warmest congratulations and best wishes. We hope you are doing well. Sincerely, Bill Clinton." 6.5 x 8.5 inches. Framed together with the pen and a facsimile of the legislation (stamped May 14, 1997 and signed by Newt Gingrich, Strom Thurmond and Clinton.)

From the collection of Barbara and Frank Sinatra.

The act to award Sinatra the Congressional Gold Medal was introduced by Democrat Jose E. Serrano, who explained to Newsweek: "I've never met Frank Sinatra... but I owe him my life because he fills my soul with romance." He continued: "Only a party pooper would bring up that stuff about organized crime, which is an ethnic stereotype that I don't believe in. Besides, this won't cost taxpayers a penny; there's a nominal cost of $30,000 to strike the gold, but that'll get repaid to the Treasury by selling bronze duplicates of the Sinatra medal. So who could possibly object?" Sinatra had already been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985, by Ronald Reagan. (17056)

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