Ellis Island Library to be Re-Named in Honor of Bob Hope

Dolores Hope received an early 99th birthday (May 27th) present from President George W. Bush, receiving the news at her Toluca Lake home, that he has signed a measure into law (just one week shy of what would have been Bob Hopes 105 birthday - May 29), that the Senate approved one month ago to re-designate the Ellis Island Library, on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the "Bob Hope Memorial Library." The measure was included in the comprehensive public lands package approved by the Senate on May 9th. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), was approved by the House in December 2007.

"Bob Hope is an American icon," Senator Feinstein said. "Bob Hope, like so many others, came through Ellis Island as a young child with his family in search of the American Dream. So, there is no more fitting tribute to his legacy than renaming the Ellis Island Library in his memory."

In 1990, Ellis Island was turned into a museum to commemorate the 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892-1954 to pursue the American Dream. When the Ellis Island Restoration Commission suggested naming the third floor library of the museum in honor of Bob Hope in 1990; he remarked that it would be "One of the single most important highpoints in my career."

Linda Hope said today, "On behalf of my mother and the Hope Family, I express our joy and pride on hearing the news that the president has signed the bill designating the library on Ellis Island, 'The Bob Hope Memorial Library.'  What a wonderful birthday gift for both my mother and dad whose birthdays are at the end of this month.  My mother, who will be 99 on May 27th, reminded me that this honor is particularly meaningful to her because both her maternal grandparents (Irish) and paternal grandparents (Italian) also came to America through the doors of Ellis Island."