DICK CLARK, "AMERICA'S OLDEST TEENAGER" AND MASTER OF NEW YEAR'S EVE, DIES AT 82............

News of the hour is that Dick Clark, one of the most beloved and recognized American celebrities, known fondly as, "America's oldest teenager", for his stewardship of the, "American Bandstand", has died today of a heart attack at age 82.  Dick Clark became a radio disc jockey as a teenager, and parlayed his ability onto the national and world stage, becoming the second host of the daily rock n roll dance show on television in 1956, that continued on the ABC Television network as a weekly staple until the early 1990's.  In 1972, he created and began hosting, "New Year's Rock'in Eve", succeeding Guy Lombardo, as Mr. New Year's Eve, and becoming a forty year December 31st broadcast tradition.  Creator of the "American Music Awards", as a competitor to the Grammys in 1974, his Dick Clark Productions is also responsible for producing the Golden Globes Awards, and the Country Music Awards, as well as, hosting the $10,000, $25,000, $100,000, Pyramid game show programs, and the 1980's , "Bloopers And Practical Jokes", tv show with Ed McMahon.  Suffering a stroke in 2004, from 2005 - 2011, he continued working behind the scenes with his wife and the management team of Dick Clark Productions, and made brief annual appearances on New Year's Rock'in Eve, although his speech was permanently impeded by the stroke he suffered seven and a half years ago.  Unbowed, and true to his life's calling, Dick Clark entertained millions worldwide for six and a half decades and will is greatly remembered for it.  I join with oh so many of my generation and the generations before and after us, in expressing appreciation to him, as an entertainment icon, for the prodigious professionalism of the performances and productions he brought into our lives.  "So Long", as you now mount the 'Heavenly Bandstand Dick Clark............Fr.  Troy