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NY Post
New York Post
23 Jul 2023


NextImg:‘True American icon’: Congress to weigh creating ‘Tony Bennett Day’

He’d get a kick out of this.

Legendary Queens-born crooner Tony Bennett, who died last week, should be honored with a national day to commemorate his legacy, US Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday.

Schumer (D-NY) — speaking at a press conference near the beloved 96-year-old velvet-voiced singer’s favorite bench in Central Park — said he will ask Congress to recognize Bennett’s Aug. 3 birthday as “Tony Bennett Day.”

“He’s a true American icon, and his music touched the lives of millions and millions and millions around the world,” Schumer said of the “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” singer.

“Everyone knew Tony Bennett, and everyone loved Tony Bennett,” Schumer said. “He personified the American dream, he served in World War II, and he cared deeply about other people.”

Schumer said he will introduce a resolution in the Senate that asks “all citizens to join together in honoring this extraordinary man and the tremendous contributions he has made to the arts and society at large.”

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who died Friday, may have his Aug. 3 birthday marked as “Tony Bennett Day” by Congress.
Michael Ochs Archives
Sen. Chuck Schumer at his Sunday press conference.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Majority Leader, said Sunday that Bennett “personified the American dream.”
Daniel William McKnight

Schumer said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — who represents most of San Francisco — has already told him she will introduce a similar resolution in the House of Representatives.

“The entire Congress will commemorate Aug. 3 as ‘Tony Bennett Day,’ ” Schumer predicted.

Bennett, a legendary pop, jazz and big-band vocalist who won 20 Grammys during his decades-long career, struggled with Alzheimer’s disease during the last seven years of his life.

His publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed his death Friday to The Post and said he died in the Big Apple — the hometown that he loved so much.

Schumer walking through Central Park.
Schumer held a press conference near Bennett’s favorite bench in Central Park.
Daniel William McKnight
Sen. Chuck Schumer holds a photo of Bennett at Schumer's Sunday press conference.
Schumer said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, will introduce a similar resolution on the floor of the House of Representatives to help create “Tony Bennett Day.”
Daniel William McKnight

Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, in 1926.

His father was a grocer who died when Bennett was just 10 years old, forcing the family to find different ways to earn money during the height of the Great Depression.

The fabled baritone started singing around that time, including performing at the opening of the Triborough Bridge in 1936, earning him a pat on the head from Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.

Tony Bennett headshot.
Bennett, a native of Astoria, Queens, won 20 Grammys during his lengthy career.
Getty Images

He also served in World War II before being discovered by Bob Hope in 1949. Two years later, the 25-year-old crooner nailed his first No. 1 hit when he recorded “Because of You.”

Seven decades of unrivaled success followed.

“The king of croon is beloved from coast to coast,” Schumer said. “He was a living legend – a legacy. His decency and honor showed through in just about everything he did.”