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“Betty White is a national treasure,” the description on Change.org reads. “She’s been an entertainer for over eight decades and is still going strong. She was on theMary Tyler Moore Show,The Golden Girls, andHot in Cleveland, putting a smile on our faces all the while.”
Betty White.Kelsey McNeal/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
Juengling tells PEOPLE that he has been a fan of White’s since watching reruns of theMary Tyler Moore Showin his childhood and wanted to create the petition to honor the “trailblazer.”
“Betty has been a trailblazer in the entertainment industry since she was the first woman to produceLife With Elizabeth,” he says. “I was first introduced to her when watching reruns of theMary Tyler Moore Showas a child, then when I watched theGolden Girlsseries a few years ago. She has great comedic timing and seems like she’s genuinely having a good time when entertaining others.”
“I’m hoping the city council will see there’s a national interest in Betty and creating a Betty White Day. With the petition getting some momentum, it’ll give the city council something concrete to see while they’re considering the initiative,” Juengling adds.
For her 99th birthday on Sunday, Whitemarked the occasionwith her signature humor and wit.
“Since I am turning 99, I can stay up as late as I want without asking permission,” the award-winning actress and comedian toldThe Associated Press.
In an interview with PEOPLE ahead of her birthday, White shared tips on how she manages to always stay positive and find the bright side of life.
“I don’t like the other side,” said White. “The positive side is a lot more fun.”
source: people.com
