[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RICHARD BIGOS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2000

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, the formality of a posthumous tribute 
conjures up the image of Dick Bigos enjoying a big bellylaugh. In the 
time it takes to write this, he would have launched a political 
candidate, confirmed a federal grant, arranged a human services 
roundtable--and taken in a Jerry Springer rerun. You can almost imagine 
him, with a half-smile, shaking his head at all of us trying to make 
sense of his death.
  An encounter with Dick could take many forms, but could never be a 
passive experience. His antennae were always up; he was always 
crunching the numbers--but never for personal profit. Dick was a good 
man consumed with our capacity and obligation to do better as a 
community. Day in and day out, year after year, he summoned the 
determination and tools to elevate our collective humanity.
  Dick was a shrewd and entirely selfless voice for those outside the 
corridors of power. If he didn't win you over with street smarts, he'd 
regale you with a gallows humor that left you laughing so hard you'd 
beg him to quit. His passion for justice was so contagious because he 
instinctively understood the needs of others--and then took on their 
causes, large or small, with unparalleled passion and tenacity.
  To the tasks at hand, he brought neither fame nor wealth. From his 
work, he sought only results to benefit others. Occasionally, he might 
indulge himself some satisfaction on a well-waged campaign, on a 
particularly clever strategy. In the end, however, he kept his eye on 
the prize--food, clothing, shelter, health care and respect for those 
who needed it most.
  Politics can be a tough business, especially if you enter it without 
official position or sanction. Dick rose to that challenge with clarity 
and confidence. Once each objective was defined, it was only a matter 
of time until the obstacles fell aside. Hurdles were leaped, rivers 
crossed, mountains climbed, walls shattered, alliances forged--whatever 
it took, Dick worked with or around the system on behalf of children, 
the hungry, the disabled, the homeless in our midst.
  In the process, Dick engaged Senators and sanitation workers, abused 
women and hospital administrators. He did not always endear himself to 
others. He could inspire, motivate, cajole--and sometimes irritate. But 
even those who brushed across this roughness came eventually to see the 
other side of Richard Bigos.
  Some of Dick's greatest admirers are those who first encountered him 
in the heat of battle. He could be a prickly combatant. But he also had 
respect for an able opponent--and with it a big heart and enormously 
generous spirit. When a former adversary found himself in personal 
crisis, the first and most discrete phone call was likely to be from 
Dick.
  Dick was not one for idle sentimentalism. So in his name, let's cut 
to the chase. The only way to genuinely honor his memory is to draw on 
his decency and drive as we greet each other and each day. Dick taught 
us by example that commitment and courage are renewable entities--that 
the demands of one campaign only illuminate the rationale for others. 
As time dries our own tears, the lasting measure of our loyalty to Dick 
will be how widely we open our eyes and hearts to the human condition 
which was his life's mission.

                          ____________________