[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 131 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO FRED ROTI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 1, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to 
acknowledge the passing of former Alderman Fred Roti of the old first 
ward which included the downtown loop area of Chicago.
  Alderman Roti or Freddie as he was known was one of eleven children 
born in an apartment over a store in Chinatown. His father, Bruno, was 
known as Bruno the bomber for his work as a small time gangster under 
Al Capone.
  Fred Roti was reported to have ties to organized crime throughout his 
life, yet he was elected and served as Alderman of the 1st ward from 
1968 to 1990. Several members of Alderman's Roti's political group were 
convicted of crimes and ultimately, Alderman Roti was indicted in 1990 
and convicted of fixing a murder trial, zoning case and a civil court 
case. Notwithstanding, his alleged and ultimate criminal conviction, 
Fred Roti remained a popular figure in Chicago civic, political and 
social circles until his death from lung cancer at the age of 78.
  Fred Roti was convicted of corruption and was probably corrupt. He 
was eventually caught, convicted, went to jail, served his time, came 
home to Chinatown and died.
  He never stopped being witty, he never stopped living in Chinatown, 
and he never stopped expressing a love for Chicago