House Votes Sinatra Congressional Medal

Singer Frank Sinatra, who 30 years ago appeared before Congress to deny links with organized crime, was voted to receive a congressional gold medal. The House cleared the bill for President Clinton on a voice vote. The Senate passed the legislation in February. New York Democrat Jose Serrano, the chief sponsor of the bill, said he became a fan after learning to speak English as a child in Puerto Rico by listening to Sinatra’s records. Sinatra lost his Nevada gambling license in 1963 after then-Mafia boss Sam Giancana was seen in the Cal-Neva Lodge gambling casino in which Sinatra then held a major interest. The license was restored in 1981.