Tribute to Pennsylvania Delegation Departing Members

by Elmer Greinert Shuster

Tribute to Pennsylvania Delegation Departing Members

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HON. BUD SHUSTER

OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, November 29, 1994

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, today I come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor five of our distinguished colleagues from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are departing the House upon completion of the 103d Congress. All have made notable contributions to their constituencies and to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. During my time in Congress, I have worked closely with three of these departing Members and at this time would like to recognize their service to this body and to their constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to recognize Congressman Tom Ridge, who has recently been elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Tom began his public service many years before he became a Member of this body. After gradating from high school in the Pittsburgh steel valley community of Munhall, Tom earned an academic scholarship to Harvard University. He graduated with honors and moved on to Carlisle, PA, where he began pursuing a law degree at Dickinson Law School. Following his first year he was called upon to serve in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in Vietnam. As a result of his commitment he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Tom returned to Carlisle and completed his studies at Dickinson in 1972.

Tom was brought up in a humble, working class family, and returned to his roots after completing law school. He set up a law practice and subsequently served as one of Erie's assistant district attorneys. He was first elected to Congress on November 2, 1982. Tom has been an active member of the House Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee. In this capacity he has focused his time and energy on serving the constituents that he represents in the 21st District, with a philosophy centered on fiscal responsibility which creates economic opportunity. Tom's relationship with the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is evident by their overwhelming support for him on November 8, 1994, electing him as their Governor.

As a close friend and dear colleague, I wish Tom, his wife, Michele, and their children, Lesley and Tommy, much success and happiness in the coming weeks, months, and years as they move to their new home in Harrisburg.

Second, Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to another respected member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, Congressman Rick Santorum. Congressman Santorum was elected to the House of Representatives in 1990. As a member of the Committee on Ways and Means he served as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, as well as serving on the Subcommittee on Oversight. His commitment to fight for American jobs and boost the American economy in his committee posts have been noteworthy. As a comember of the Steel Caucus I have seen, first hand, that Rick has served his constituents with great distinction.

Mr. Santorum has proven himself to be a champion of the people throughout his short time in the House. He will continue to serve Pennsylvania in the 104th Congress as the States' junior Senator. Congressman Santorum, soon to be Senator Santorum, will become the youngest Member to serve in the Senate during the upcoming Congress. I am confident that Rick will continue to represent the people of Pennsylvania by keeping their best interests at heart. Through his relentless commitment to reducing both big government and burdensome taxes he has clearly established himself as a leader not only for Pennsylvania but for the Nation as well.

I speak for myself, as well as the rest of the Pennsylvania delegation as I wish Rick, his wife Karen, and their two children the best of luck as they look to the future.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to one of Pennsylvania's most respected and well liked Members, Congressman Austin Murphy.

Congressman Murphy who is retiring at the end of the 103d Congress has dedicated his life to serving the people of Pennsylvania. He was a prominent member of both the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and the State Senate before coming to Congress in 1977. Throughout his tenure in the House, Austin has earned a solid reputation as a man of his word representing the citizens of the 20th District of Pennsylvania with integrity and honor. Congressman Murphy's years of service on the Education and Labor Committee is a testimony to his status as a national leader both in our schools and in our workplace.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Austin, his wife Ramona, and their six children continued success and happiness in their future endeavors.

The House of Representatives faces considerable challenges in the upcoming Congress and we will undeniably miss the kind of tested leadership that Congressmen Ridge, Santorum, and Murphy have provided. The commitment that these men have made to the American people is truly an inspiration to both their constituents and their colleagues in the Congress.

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