CHARLES M. SCHULZ HONORED
WITH CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
Schulz family members to accept award on behalf of famed PEANUTS comic strip writer
June 7, 2001

Washington, DC– Family members of Charles M. Schulz today accepted a Congressional Gold Medal presented by Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert for Schulz’s lasting artistic contributions. Since 1776, just over 300 notable individuals have been accorded this distinction for accomplishments in a variety of fields, including George Washington, Pope John Paul II, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Last year, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) sponsored legislation in the House and Senate to honor the creator of the PEANUTS comic strip.

Monte Schulz, son of Charles Schulz, accepts the Congressional Gold Medal on his father's behalf.

“Charles Schulz gave more to society than just his comic strip. He was a leader in his field and in his community and will always be remembered for his contributions to our nation and to the world,” Representative Thompson said.

“Our country owes Charles Schulz a great deal. His comic art has changed American culture and brightened the lives of millions of Americans,” Senator Feinstein said. “This ceremony today offers one tangible way for our country to express thanks to a truly great American.”

For 50 years, Schulz inspired the world with his PEANUTS comic strip, boasting an indelible cast of characters and celebrating universal themes and expressions that have become the fabric of American culture. Appearing in over 2,600 newspapers around the world and reaching 335 million readers in 20 different languages, the PEANUTS characters have been featured in over 63 award winning television specials, 1400 books, four feature films, and a Broadway musical.

During his career, Schulz proved himself to be a leader in the field of comic illustration and beyond. In 1997, he led a fundraising effort to build a ten-acre D-Day Memorial, which opened yesterday in Bedford, Virginia. President Bush attended the ceremony and gave the dedication address. A World War II veteran himself, Schulz personally made a sizable donation to the effort, believing D-Day was the most significant day for mankind in modern history.

“I am so very honored and grateful to the members of Congress who have awarded Sparky with such an esteemed tribute,” said Schulz’s wife, Jean. “He would have felt an amazingly strong sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that he had been recognized for his important impact on American society.”

“My father would have been proud to receive such a unique recognition,” said Monte Schulz, the eldest son and namesake of the famed comic strip writer. “It would have been extraordinarily gratifying to receive an award for something that he did every day and that he loved so much.”

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1922, Charles M. Schulz began his fascination with comic strips early, reading the Sunday comics from four different newspapers with his father each week. With encouragement from his parents, Schulz enrolled in a correspondence course in cartooning. PEANUTS debuted in syndication on October 2, 1950. Charles M. Schulz died in Santa Rosa, California on February 12, 2000 due to complications from colon cancer, only hours before his last original PEANUTS strip appeared in Sunday papers.

Mrs. Jean Schulz accepted the award on behalf of her husband. Three of Schulz’s children, Monte, Jill, Amy, his stepson Brooke, and several of his grandchildren also attended today’s ceremony. Edwin Anderson, longtime friend and attorney of Schulz gave remarks.