| ANAHEIM, CA - (April 7, 2008) - In a public ceremony today, Jackie Autry, wife of the late Gene Autry, accepted a star on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars in honor of her husband and Orange County’s baseball pioneer. Gene Autry is the sixth honoree on the Anaheim/OC Walk of Stars and was recognized for his contributions to baseball and professional sports in Orange County. Today’s ceremony was held at the Anaheim/OC Walk of Stars, located on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and East Shuttle Way with Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and City Council Members in attendance.
"Gene Autry not only had a lasting impact on American entertainment, but also life in Anaheim," said Mayor Pringle. "His passion for America's favorite pastime brought our City a stadium, a championship baseball team and fun for generations of Anaheim families. It is only fitting that we honor Gene Autry today with a star at Anaheim's Walk of Stars." Gene Autry’s passion for baseball became evident when he not only acquired the radio broadcasting rights to the team, but became the owner of the Angels franchise in 1961. Gene Autry quickly realized the team’s potential and relocated the team to Anaheim where it began the 1966 baseball season in the newly constructed Anaheim Stadium. Since the Angels’ relocation to Anaheim, the team has been the stage for numerous talented players from Nolan Ryan to Reggie Jackson and captured its first World Championship title in 2002. Gene Autry was not a foreigner to accepting stars engraved into walks. He is the only entertainer to receive five stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, each for his renowned contributions to radio, recording, motion pictures, television, and live theatre performances. His most famous work included his reputation as “America’s favorite singing cowboy” as he revolutionized the way viewers watched television programs in the 50s. The fixture on the Anaheim/OC Walk of Stars will be Autry’s first star commemorating his work and passion for professional baseball. The Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars honors visionary leaders, entertainers and entrepreneurs who have made a positive national and international impact on Anaheim and throughout Orange County. Additional information on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars, including how to sponsor a star, is available at www.anaheim.net. Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060 more city news
### ABOUT ANAHEIM - The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is California's 10th most populous city. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 345,500 residents and more than 3,200 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.4 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, and the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, The Grove of Anaheim, The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net. |