In Tribute to Journalist Mike Boyd

by Doris Matsui

IN TRIBUTE TO JOURNALIST MIKE BOYD

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    HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

    OF CALIFORNIA

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

   Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Mike Boyd, a legendary television reporter and anchor whose level of career achievement was matched only by his passion for living life to its fullest. Sadly, Mr. Boyd passed away on October 14, 2006 at the age of 74. As his friends and family gather to celebrate Mike's remarkable life, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting this outstanding citizen and model reporter.

Mike Boyd was born in Maine in 1932, the son and grandson of attorneys. He graduated from the University of Maine and after a number of broadcasting jobs along the East Coast, he joined Sacramento's KCRA Channel 3 News in 1963 where he remained until his retirement in 2001. Mike became an institution in Sacramento as thousands of Sacramento residents tuned into his hard-hitting, exclusive stories throughout his 38-year tenure at KCRA. His memorable, deep, and booming voice made him ideal for a career in broadcast journalism.

His tenacity as an investigative reporter led him to cover some of the past half-century's most unforgettable stories. In 1968, Mike Boyd was at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated and his reporting of the tragic event was broadcast across the country. When the rumors began to circulate about Ronald Regan running for President, it was to Mike Boyd that Nancy Reagan admitted that she hoped Ronald would not run.

Perhaps Mike Boyd will be most remembered for his coverage of some of the nation's most notorious crimes. Boyd was always looking for the scoop, and he was often successful. He was the first reporter to interview Charles Manson in prison. Manson went so far as to offer Boyd his steak dinner. Years later, in 1988, he had an exclusive interview with the infamous landlady Dorthea Puente, who was convicted of killing eight of her tenants in downtown Sacramento. His ability to connect with his interview subjects clearly showed through, as evidenced by the retirement gift Puente sent Boyd from prison.

Mr. Speaker, as Mike Boyd's friends and family gather to honor this great American, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most respected citizens. His integrity, morals and enthusiasm for his job were inspirations to young reporters everywhere. He will be deeply missed. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Mike's invaluable contributions to Sacramento and the United States of America.

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