[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ROBERT ``BOBBY'' McDONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is with great personal sadness that I pay 
final tribute to a good friend and a great leader in the San Francisco 
community--Robert ``Bobby'' McDonnell--who died on August 17th. His 
extraordinary work in the labor movement and in the community earned 
him the respect and appreciation of the City of San Francisco.
  A native San Franciscan, Bobby graduated from Marin Catholic High 
School and attended the College of Marin and the University of San 
Francisco. Bobby McDonnell had a long and distinguished career 
dedicated to the working men and women of the San Francisco Bay Area. 
He served as Field Representative and as Secretary-Treasurer for the 
Laborers' International Union of America, AFL-CIO, Local 261 from 1968 
to 1999. He was an Executive Board Member of the San Francisco Labor 
Council, and also a member of the San Francisco Building and Trades 
Council. His fierce commitment to the labor movement never ceased, and 
he advocated labor issues at every opportunity from coast to coast.
  He was a member of the Golden Gate Bridge District's Board of 
Directors from 1984 until the time of his death, where he worked 
tirelessly to maintain a great public agency. His achievements during 
his long tenure are too many to list, but in all his endeavors, he 
served with passion, integrity and excellence.
  He was a devoted and enthusiastic godfather to St. Vincent's School 
for Boys. He unselfishly worked as a volunteer, organizer and 
fundraiser not only for St. Vincent's, but also the United Way, the 
United Irish Cultural Center and the Amigos of Central Latino. One of 
his favorite activities was playing Santa Claus for the different 
organizations where he volunteered. It was a perfect job for him, 
because those who knew him say he spread joy and humor wherever he 
went.
  To his wife Mary, his brother Danny, his stepsons Jerry, Michael, 
David and Harry, I extend my deepest sympathy and my profound 
appreciation for your sharing Bobby with us. We miss him greatly.

                          ____________________