[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO FORMER MICHIGAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT GAGLIARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to Pat 
Gagliardi, a former representative to the Michigan House of 
Representatives from the 107th Representative District, which is 
comprised of four counties in my congressional district.
  First elected to the House in 1982, Pat Gagliardi has just concluded 
his service in that body because of the Michigan term limits law. This 
law was enacted at the will of the voters of Michigan, but I have to 
confess that in this case I believe the law has turned an excellent 
public servant out of office.
  The only downside of Pat's political career was his misfortune in 
being stuck with the nickname ``Gags.'' He was respected by his fellow 
legislators, Democrats and Republicans alike. He kept in touch with his 
constituents and he served them well. He was of great assistance to me 
when I was elected to the Michigan House in 1988, and he has been of 
great assistance to me in our respective offices in Lansing and 
Washington.
  In his role as Majority Floor Leader, Pat helped set the legislative 
agenda for Michigan in the House, and as a northern Michigan 
representative he fought tirelessly to make sure that his district 
received its fair share of funding.
  Throughout our careers, I have never failed to remind Pat that his 
hair was getting thinner, just as he has never failed to remind me that 
mine was getting grayer. I will always remember this banter as a symbol 
of our friendly cooperation, as we worked together on issues of 
national importance.
  Much of our legislative cooperation focused on issues relating to the 
Great Lakes. Just as my district touches three of the five Great 
Lakes--Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior--so too did Pat's 
district touch the same three bodies of water.
  This meant that issues vital to United States commerce, such as the 
Soo Locks, and issues of national heritage, such as Great Lakes 
shipwrecks, were likely to bring Pat and I, representing northern 
Michigan in the Michigan House and the U.S. House, into lockstep.
  This cooperation bore fruit. For example, in 1995, when a Michigan 
diver and entrepreneur announced he would market videos of the most 
famous shipwreck, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and when we learned that those 
tapes would contain footage of the bodies of seamen who died in that 
tragedy, Pat joined me in expressing outrage on behalf of the families 
still trying to reconcile themselves to the loss of their loved ones.
  When my legislation banning this kind of videotaping stalled in 
Washington, it was Pat Gagliardi who won approval for such legislation 
in the Michigan legislature.
  He is and has been a friend, a mentor, a fellow legislator and a 
Democratic Party leader. He has my deep respect and friendship.
  The people of Michigan were well-served by ``Gags.'' They will miss 
him. I will miss him.

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