[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1713]]



       IN MEMORY OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN ROMAN PUCINSKI OF ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of former 
Congressman Roman Pucinski who nobly served and represented the people 
of Illinois for 14 years in this body.
  Roman Pucinski began a life of service by enlisting as a private in 
the One Hundred and Sixth Cavalry during World War II. A member of the 
Army Air Forces in the Pacific, he flew 49 missions over Japan and lead 
his bomber group on the first B–29 “Superfortress” 
bombing raid over Tokyo in 1944. And his dedication and bravery won him 
the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Clusters.
  In 1958, the people of Northwest Chicago elected Roman Pucinski to 
represent them in the 86th Congress of the United States. Over the 
course of his tenure in the House, Congressman Pucinski became a 
champion of airline safety. As a newly elected member in 1959, 
Congressman Pucinski strongly urged the government to require cockpit 
voice recorders in all airplanes that carry at least six passengers. In 
1964, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ultimately adopted 
Congressman Pucinski's proposal, phasing in the requirement for cockpit 
voice recorders over the following 3 years. Many years later, his 
persistence and dedication to airline safety won Congressman Pucinski 
the FAA's Silver Medal of Distinguished Service.
  Yet, we should also remember Congressman Pucinski for his invaluable 
contributions to education. As a sponsor of legislation to strengthen 
public education, he secured funding over several years to improve 
educational opportunities for the young people of Illinois.
  In 1972, Congressman Pucinski left the House of Representatives to 
pursue a seat in the U.S. Senate. Although he was not elected to the 
Senate, he continued his life of public service as a Chicago alderman 
from 1973 until 1991.
  Congressman Pucinski will forever be remembered in the halls of the 
House for his many years of service and dedication to the people of 
Illinois. And the people he so dutifully represented will forever feel 
the impact of his immeasurable contributions to their communities.

                          ____________________