[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ERNANI C. FALCONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a man of 
conviction and honor, Ernani C. Falcone. Regretfully, Ernani Falcone 
passed away on Monday, May 13, 2002, but his strong, booming voice that 
always embraced the downtrodden and defended democratic ideals, will 
resonate with us forever.
  Ernani, who many affectionately called ``Nani'', was many things at 
once, both a commander and a warrior; both a dedicated Democratic 
leader respected by the political elite, and a champion of the little 
guy; both a revered member of the San Antonio community and an activist 
who fought for local environmental preservation. He was colorful, 
charismatic, controversial, and always willing to stand up against 
special interests. San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza said of ``Nani'' who was 
a close friend and advisor, ``He often spoke in a loud roar, but he did 
so thinking with his big heart.''
  A native Philadelphian by birth, but a Texan by nature, Ernani was a 
graduate of Princeton University who always made a point of challenging 
the status quo and on occasion, unleashing a devilish laugh. He gained 
widespread recognition when, 10 years ago, he began positioning himself 
at the center of all major policy debates in San Antonio.
  Ernani's political career began in Delaware County, a Philadelphia 
suburb, where he was the chair of the Delaware Democratic Party for 12 
years. In 1987, he moved his family south, where he embroiled himself 
in Texas politics. Brash and flamboyant, he took San Antonio politics 
by the reins--becoming the founder of the Northwest Neighborhood 
Alliance and president of the Braun Station West Community Improvement 
Association.
  A lover of nature, Ernani helped develop San Antonio's 1996 tree-
preservation ordinance and later fought to make the ordinance stronger. 
It is difficult to think of someone who has worked harder, and with 
more devotion, to protect the environment of our ever growing city. 
Ernani was the kind of guy who, facing a city of growing skyscrapers, 
would notice even the smallest trees.
  Most recently, Ernani was serving on a technical advisory committee 
that monitored revisions of San Antonio's Unified Development Code and 
was a member of the Zoning Commission. He never gave up. When decisions 
were being made that affected the San Antonio people that he loved so 
much, Ernani was there. Dressed flamboyantly in his bright shirts and 
ties that matched his personality, he was never a silent bystander.
  It would be unwise, and perhaps impossible to forget Ernani Falcone. 
More than a president, commissioner, founder, or educator, he was an 
apotheosis for all politicians. He came to San Antonio with a bang, and 
the memory of his humanitarianism will not leave quietly. I stand here 
today to bid a farewell to ``Nani'' for all to hear. It is a fitting 
way to say goodbye.

                          ____________________