[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H6964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE ROMAN PUCINSKI, FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS, 
                        FORMER CHICAGO ALDERMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 
Honorable Roman Pucinski, former Member of Congress, former Chicago 
alderman, and a great American.
  Mr. Speaker, on September 25, the Angel of Death took away the golden 
voice of Roman Pucinski, formerly fondly known as ``Pooch'' to those 
who knew him. Roman Pucinski was a Chicagoan through and through. In a 
city with strong ethnic ties and heritage, he was a renowned member and 
leader in the Polish American community.
  Pucinski was a household name in Chicago. The proud son of civic 
leadership, Roman went on to become a reporter-journalist. And what a 
reporter he was for the Chicago Sun Times. The war interrupted his 
journalism career, and during World War II Roman was the lead 
bombardier in the first B-29 ``Superfortress'' raid on Tokyo in 1944. 
This was just one of 49 missions in which he flew as part of the Army 
Air Forces in the Pacific.
  He returned home to Chicago and became the chief investigator for a 
select committee of Congress, investigating the Katyn Forest Massacre. 
This investigation of slain Poles eventually resulted in his 
appointment as Illinois division president of the Polish American 
Congress. Roman Pucinski was then elected to the United States House of 
Representatives in 1958 and distinguished himself as an advocate for 
education, airline safety, and the interest of Chicago. He served 7 
terms.
  Roman Pucinski was then called upon by his party to run for United 
States Senate against the very popular Charles Percy. Roman did not win 
that election. However, he came back the next year and ran for the 
Chicago City Council as alderman of the 41st Ward. He was elected and 
became an icon, serving for 18 years.
  Roman Pucinski was an outstanding orator and a skilled debater who 
loved to talk, and talk he did. I served with Roman in the Chicago City 
Council, and though we were often pitted against each other as a result 
of membership in and alliances with different political forces, we 
became great friends and worked well together.
  He leaves to cherish a great legacy of service and representation, 
and to mourn his passing, many friends and a devoted family, his 
daughter Aurelia, who was elected and served as Clerk of the Circuit 
Court of Cook County, a son, a brother, a sister, and three 
grandchildren.
  Roman Pucinski encouraged me to run for Congress and would often say 
that he would come and speak for or against me, whichever would help 
the most. Roman, you were right again. Congress is indeed an 
interesting, exciting, and challenging place where one can help to 
shape the world. I say, Thanks to you, and good-bye, my friend.

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