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Rep. Howard L. Berman

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay respects to my friend, producer and director, Gilbert Cates who passed away on October 31, 2011 at the age of 77. Let this congressional insert serve as a tribute to his memory and celebration of his meaningful life.

Born June 6, 1934, in New York City to Jewish parents, Mr. Cates was a member of the fencing team at Syracuse University studying pre-med but changed his major to Theater after an experience teaching actors to sword fight during a student production of Richard III.

Gilbert began his career directing a number of feature films--including two Oscar nominated films--I Never Sang for My Father, in 1970, and Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams, in 1973. He also produced and directed Broadway and off Broadway plays, most notably the productions of I Never Sang for My Father and You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running.

Hailed as a director with a propensity for taking on challenging themes, in 1984 Gilbert directed Consenting Adult, a made-for-TV feature which focused on homosexuality and was followed up in 1989 with Do You Know the Muffin Man?, a story centered on child molestation. Mr. Cates received Emmy nominations in the Best Director category for both projects.

During his tenure as president of the Directors Guild of America, DGA, Gilbert led the guild's negotiations committee and four times headed contract negotiations with producers, leading the guild through a strike in 1987. He was instrumental in orchestrating the merger between the Radio & Television Directors Guild and the Screen Directors Guild in 1960.

Well known for producing some 14 Academy Awards broadcasts between 1990 and 2008, Gilbert is famed for recruiting Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg as well as David Letterman, Steve Martin, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart as hosts. He also served on the Academy's Board of Governors from 1984-1993, and won an Emmy in 1991 for the 63rd annual Oscars, returning to the board in 2002 and serving as its Vice President from

In 1990, Gilbert became the Dean of UCLA's newly combined School of Theater, Film and Television, a post he held until 1998, after which he continued to educate young filmmakers as a professor. As a result of his many professional accomplishments, Mr. Cates received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also received the DGA's prestigious President's Award and the Guild's Robert Aldrich Award for service, as well as having received the DGA's Honorary Life Membership.

Gilbert was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Judith Reichman, four children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren.

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and achievements of Gilbert Cates.