[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               IN MEMORY OF BERNARD H. ``BARNEY'' ERHART

  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the passing of 
prominent western New York State politician, Bernard H. ``Barney'' 
Erhart on July 6, 1994.
  In the July 7, 1994, edition of the Buffalo News, Bill Price wrote a 
fitting memorial to this dedicated family man and public servant. Mr. 
President, I ask at this time that the article be included in the 
Record:
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the record, as follows:

                 [From the Buffalo News, July 7, 1994]

           Bernard H. Erhart, Dean of Wyoming Politics, Dies

                            (By Bill Price)

       Silver Springs.--Bernard H. ``Barney'' Erhart, considered 
     the dean of Wyoming County politics, died Wednesday (July 6, 
     1994) in Wyoming County Community Hospital, Warsaw, after a 
     long illness. He was 76.
       He was supervisor for the Town of Gainesville for 30 years, 
     retiring only last December. He was considered one of the 
     longest-sitting town supervisors in the state.
       Erhart also operated a real estate business, barber shop, 
     Christmas tree farm and the Silver Springs Liquor Store, all 
     in Silver Springs.
       Born in Rochester, he moved to Wyoming County as a boy.
       For several decades he gave free haircuts to patients in 
     the Wyoming County Community Hospital and at area nursing 
     homes and senior citizen facilities.
       It was not uncommon for Erhart to deliver a bag of 
     groceries to a needy family or elderly residents. Many 
     families in need also received free Christmas trees from 
     Erhart.
       Among his many affiliations, Erhart was a member of the 
     Silver Springs Fire Department, the former Silver Springs-
     Gainesville Kiwanis Club and the Bates-Courtney America 
     Legion Post. He also was a member of St. Mary's Catholic 
     Church.
       Erhart retired from the Army in 1962 as a sergeant-major 
     after a 23-year military career. He saw service during World 
     War II, the Korean War and the Cuban missile crisis.
       During his political career, Erhart was known for a 
     friendly smile, hot cinnamon candies and the trademark 
     greeting, ``Hello Darling.''
       For years, Erhart routinely adjourned each session of the 
     Wyoming County Board of Supervisors with a slam of his fist 
     on his desk.
       He was familiar with politicians at all levels, including 
     presidents, governors and senators. His barber shop featured 
     a ``picture wall'' of famous faces of politics from the 1960s 
     through the '90s.
       Those barbershop patrons getting their ``ears lowered'' 
     sometimes would be surprised to see senatorial or 
     congressional candidate seeking Erhart's support. One time, a 
     youthful Robert F. Kennedy, then seeking the nomination for 
     U.S. Senate from New York, showed up unexpectedly at his 
     barbershop door.
       From 1970 until his death he served as chairman of the 
     Wyoming County Democratic Party.
       A testimonial dinner last Aug. 1 attended by leaders on 
     both sides of the political aisle honored Erhart for his many 
     years of public service.
       A longtime friend, former Wyoming County Judge John 
     Conable, who was a Republican, called Erhart ``the consummate 
     politician.''
       ``He always cared about his people and always wanted to 
     know what was going on in Wyoming County and in the Town of 
     Gainesville.''
       A portrait of Erhart and his wife, the former Frances 
     Luzer, who died May 28, was presented to the Gainesville Town 
     Library by members of the Gainesville Town Board in 1991.
       Survivors include three daughters, Dr. Kathleen of 
     Sausalito, Calif., Janet McQuade of Ontario, N.Y., and 
     Elizabeth; a brother Lewis of Anchorage, Alaska; and two 
     grandchildren.
       A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. 
     Saturday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Church Street. Burial 
     will be in the church cemetery.

                          ____________________