[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DELEGATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Murtha] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, as Dean of the Pennsylvania Congressional 
Delegation for the 103rd Congress, I'd like to take this opportunity to 
salute five members of the delegation who will not be returning to the 
House of Representatives for the 104th Congress.
  Lucien Blackwell, Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, Austin Murphy, Tom 
Ridge, and Rick Santorum have all been important parts of the 
delegation over the past two years. The work they've done for their 
constituents and the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has 
been invaluable, and we will miss their contributions greatly. Our 
delegation has always put the interests of Pennsylvania above party or 
ideological interests, and these individuals have continued that 
tradition, which has proven so important to Pennsylvanians.
  I'd like to say a few additional words about the members from our 
side of the aisle who are leaving; Austin Murphy, Lucien Blackwell, and 
Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky.


                             AUSTIN MURPHY

  Representative Austin Murphy is retiring from the House of 
Representatives this year after nine terms. Austin and I have been 
through many battles together on the House Floor, as we have 
represented adjoining districts which have suffered through difficult 
economic times as a result of the slump in the coal and steel 
industries.
  Like any Marine, Austin is a fighter, and his fights have been on 
behalf of the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania, especially those 
whose voices are not always heard over the din of the debate in 
Congress. No coal miner with Black Lung, no steelworker facing a 
layoff, no minimum wage worker struggling to make ends meet ever had a 
stronger champion than Austin Murphy. From his position on the 
Education and Labor Committee and as Chairman of the Labor Standards, 
Occupational Safety and Health Subcommittee, Austin fought for workers' 
rights. He fought to make the minimum wage more of an affordable living 
wage, he fought to ensure that coal miners would be eligible for Black 
Lung benefits, he fought to make sure workers would not fear for their 
lives or their health every time they punched the time clock.
  Working Americans are Austin Murphy's people. Everyone who's 
struggling to pay the bills each month while raising a family and 
worrying about their parents making ends meet in retirement should 
thank Austin Murphy, because he dedicated his career in the House of 
Representatives to making their lives better. Austin knows the people 
of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and he knows the difficulties of families 
fighting to make it in a tough economy. His work has made a difference 
for these people.
  We will continue the fight for Austin Murphy's people in the House, 
but without him to lead the charge, it won't be the same. I will 
personally miss Austin's friendship, but the Congress as a whole will 
miss his leadership and commitment to causes and people that are too 
often overlooked. We wish him well in his retirement, and we say to him 
that Congress is a better place for his service here.


                            LUCIEN BLACKWELL

  Lucien Blackwell came to the House of Representatives three years ago 
to fill the seat of Bill Gray. These were big shoes to fill, and Lucien 
has more than lived up to the challenge.
  After distinguished service with the United States Army in Korea, 
work as a labor union official, service in the Pennsylvania State 
House, and a career in public service in Philadelphia, Lucien brought a 
unique perspective to the House of Representatives. His knowledge of 
the city of Philadelphia and his emphasis on the need to refurbish and 
invigorate our inner cities was invaluable in his work on the Public 
Works and Transportation Committee.
  Lucien came to the Pennsylvania State Legislature just before I left 
to come to Congress. He went to Harrisburg with the reputation as a 
street fighter, as the kind of representative who's first and only 
concern is what is best for the people who sent him to government. He 
has never failed to maintain that attitude, whether in Harrisburg or in 
Washington.
  Lucien won't be returning to the 104th Congress, and we wish him well 
in his future endeavors. His work on behalf of the people of 
Philadelphia in this body won't soon be forgotten, and all of us owe a 
debt of gratitude to him for reminding us that our jobs are as 
representatives of the people who send us here. Lucien never has lost 
sight of this, and he continues to be a fighter for the causes and the 
people he represents.


                      MARJORIE MARGOLIES-MEZVINSKY

  There have been many individuals who have served only one term in 
Congress. Abraham Lincoln is the most prominent example. And while I'm 
not predicting that Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky will have quite the 
role after she leaves Congress that Lincoln had, I do feel that this 
bright, hard-working woman will continue to have a positive impact on 
Pennsylvania and the United States after she leaves Congress.
  Marjorie brought a unique perspective to the House of 
Representatives, and opened our eyes to many issues and problems which 
had not received the attention they deserved. Her family has influenced 
her a great deal, and the knowledge and experience she has gained from 
the 11 children she and her husband have raised certainly inspired her 
to become active on women and children's issues in the House.
  We will all miss Marjorie's hard work on issues of importance to 
Pennsylvania, and we'll also miss her ability to say just the right 
thing to loosen the tension at a Pennsylvania delegation gathering or a 
caucus meeting. Her work on the Energy and Commerce Committee was 
important to her constituents and to all of Pennsylvania, and her focus 
on economic development will continue to benefit the State.
  We wish Marjorie all the best in her future activities. She has been 
a positive influence on the House of Representatives, and I predict 
that she will continue to play a significant role in improving the 
lives of people in Pennsylvania and all across the Nation.
  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to 
recognize the contributions of the five House Members of the 
Pennsylvania delegation who are leaving Congress this year.
  It has been my pleasure as the senior Member of the delegation to 
work with each of these outstanding individuals--Austin Murphy, Tom 
Ridge, Lucien Blackwell, Rick Santorum and Marjorie Margolies-
Mezvinsky.
  While I was not in agreement with each and every one of my colleagues 
on all of the issues that came before the House, I am proud to say 
that, more often than not, we put partisanship aside to promote the 
best interests of the people of the Commonwealth. I know that their 
replacements will continue this tradition in the 104th Congress.
  Two of my colleagues, Tom Ridge and Rick Santorum, will continue to 
serve in public life as Governor and Senator. They have been 
outstanding young Members of this institution, and I am pleased that 
there talents and energies will continue to benefit the citizens of 
Pennsylvania.
  My colleague from Monongahela, Austin Murphy, has distinguished 
himself through his work as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor 
Standards and Occupational Health and Safety. He directed the effort to 
reform the Black Lung benefits program and he was the lead sponsor of 
minimum wage bills in 1989 and 1990.
  The other departing colleagues, Lucien Blackwell and Marjorie 
Margolies-Mezvinsky, have had shorter tenures, but their service has 
been marked by an admirable dedication to their constituents and a 
commitment to the policies they felt would best serve the citizens of 
Pennsylvania and the Nation.
  I am grateful for the opportunity to have served with all five of the 
departing Members. They have been a credit to the U.S. House of 
Representatives, were important Members of the delegation and I wish 
them well in their future endeavors.
  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to my 
colleagues from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who will be departing 
Congress when we adjourn today. It has been a great privilege and honor 
to serve with these dedicated individuals, and I wish them great 
success in their future endeavors.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, five members of the Pennsylvania 
Congressional delegation will be departing the House and one member 
will be departing the Senate when the 103rd Congress adjourns this 
week. Some have served a long career in the House, dating back to 1976, 
while others have been here for only a very brief time. Each one of 
these individuals, however, has served their constituents well through 
their leadership, hard work and dedicated service.
  As one of the most senior members of the Pennsylvania delegation, 
Congressman Austin Murphy will be retiring after he casts his vote 
today. I have known Austin since we first served together in the 
Pennsylvania State legislature, when he was a State Senator and I was a 
State Representative. Since he was first elected to the U.S. Congress 
in 1976, Austin Murphy has passionately fought for the best interests 
of his constituents in western Pennsylvania.
  Austin Murphy has always been there for working Americans when their 
interests have been threatened. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Labor Standards, he has fought to improve the working conditions, 
health, safety, pay and benefits of all working Americans. Austin's 
service to Pennsylvania and to the country will surely be missed.
  Congressman Tom Ridge will be ending a distinguished career in the 
House, only to start a new career as governor of Pennsylvania. Tom and 
I were elected to the House in the same class in 1982. Since then, we 
have worked very effectively together on issues of importance to the 
state--even though we sit on different sides of the aisle. I remember 
very vividly when during our first term together, Tom invited me to co-
chair a field hearing of the Select Committee on Aging. I agreed to 
participate, much to the chagrin of locally-elected Democrats in Tom's 
district.
  Tom Ridge has served his constituents well as a member of Congress. 
During his tenure, he has shown how effective bipartisan leadership can 
lead to responsible legislation. I wish him great luck and success as 
Governor of Pennsylvania.
  Pennsylvania will also be losing one of its members from 
Philadelphia, Congressman Lucien Blackwell. While he served only 
briefly in Congress, Lou has served Philadelphia as a public servant 
for a long time. He has fought hard for working Philadelphians, first 
as a labor union president, then as a State Representative and City 
Councilman.
  I enjoyed serving with Lou Blackwell and will greatly miss the 
passion and dedication that he brought to his job. A one-time boxer, 
Lou never lost his tireless spirit in his many years of public service. 
With Lou's departure, Philadelphia will certainly be losing a true 
fighter in Congress.
  The Pennsylvania delegation will also be losing one of its newest 
members, Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky. In 1992, Marjorie 
defied all the odds by breaking a 76-year Republican reign over the 
13th Congressional District. Since that time, Marjorie has worked to 
build consensus around important family legislation, including full 
funding for Head Start and family and medical leave.
  In her two years in Congress, Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky left a 
lasting imprint on American politics and government. I am sure she will 
succeed in whatever path she chooses next.
  While Congressman Rick Santorum will be leaving the House, he will 
not be leaving Congress. As Pennsylvania's newly-elected Senator, Rick 
will still be working closely with us on issues of importance to the 
state. Nevertheless, we will certainly miss the energy and hard work 
that Rick Santorum brought to his job every day as a member of the 
House.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker we would be mistaken not to pay tribute to 
Senator Harris Wofford. Six months after he was appointed to fill the 
vacancy left by the death of Senator John Heinz, Harris shocked the 
nation in a stunning upset in a special election. His distinguished 
career dates back to the Kennedy Administration, when Harris served as 
a special assistant for civil rights. Harris also helped to establish 
the Peace Corps.
  Prior to his election in 1991, Harris served as Pennsylvania's 
Secretary of Labor and Industry, where he fought for the interests of 
the state's working families. He took that dedication with him to 
Washington, fighting to make health care accessible and affordable for 
every working American. During his tenure in Washington, Harris had 
many legislative accomplishments, including the National Service 
legislation which was enacted last year.
  The members of the delegation will remember in particular how well 
Harris Wofford worked the House in behalf of the interests of our 
State. His knowledge, intelligence, dedication to public service, and 
ability to work with others will be sorely missed in Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, each of these departing members of the Pennsylvania 
delegation made a lasting impact with their service in Congress. Those 
of us who will serve in the 104th Congress will be looking forward to 
working with their successors next year. On behalf of the delegation, I 
wish Austin Murphy, Tom Ridge, Lucien Blackwell, Marjorie Margolies-
Mezvinsky, Rick Santorum and Harris Wofford the best of luck in the new 
challenges in life before them.
  Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I bid goodbye 
to several of my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Delegation. During my 
first term in Congress, it has been my great pleasure to serve with 
such a fine group of individuals.
  Austin Murphy has been a good friend and a wise counselor as I have 
learned my way around Capitol Hill. Austin has always had good advice 
for me, and has represented his district well for 18 years.
  Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky has been a great friend as a fellow 
freshman member. I have enjoyed working with her to represent the 
people of Pottstown, PA, which we share in Montgomery County.
  Lucien Blackwell has been a hardworking champion for the working men 
and women of Pennsylvania and will be greatly missed.
  We are also fortunate to have two delegation members moving on to 
other offices. I have enjoyed serving with Tom Ridge and look forward 
to working with him for the people of Pennsylvania. I also look forward 
to continuing to work with Rick Santorum to make life better for our 
constituents.
  I have the greatest confidence that all of these people will continue 
to excel in their individual lives. They are all fine public servants 
and it has been an honor for me to serve in Congress with them. I will 
miss all of them.

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