[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              TRIBUTE TO DELEGATE HOWARD ``PETE'' RAWLINGS

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the life 
and legacy of Delegate Pete Rawlings. He was a big man with a big 
heart--who leaves an indelible mark on the people of Maryland.
  The Baltimore Sun said Delegate Rawlings had ``the passion of a civil 
rights activist and the analytical mind of a mathematician combined 
with the savvy of a backroom pol.'' I think that captures him 
perfectly.
  Delegate Rawlings used America's unique opportunity structure to 
build a life of accomplishment and of service. But more importantly, he 
expanded that opportunity structure for thousands of others. In over a 
quarter century in the House of Delegates, Pete Rawlings was known as a 
man of principle who put his principles into action.
  Mathematician and politician, educator and leader, Pete Rawlings may 
be best remembered for his untiring advocacy to improve education for 
all. He was an unfailing advocate for education. He used his power and 
influence to provide an unprecedented State commitment to education, a 
$1.3 billion commitment that the State recognized it would be 
constitutionally bound to fulfill. Maryland's schools are better today 
because of Delegate Rawlings.
  The passing of Delegate Rawlings is a tragedy, but his life was a 
triumph. His wife, Dr. Nina Cole, and his children, Wendall Rawlings, 
Lisa Rawlings, and Councilwoman Stephanie C. Rawlings Black are in my 
thoughts and prayers.
  I ask that an editorial from the Baltimore Sun be printed in the 
Congressional Record.
  The editorial follows:

                [From the Baltimore Sun, Nov. 16, 2003]

                                  Pete

       He'd thunder and preach, he'd deplore and beseech, he'd 
     count pennies and votes and usually come out on the money.
       With the death Friday of Del. Howard P. ``Pete'' Rawlings, 
     Maryland lost an extraordinarily gifted leader and one of the 
     most accomplished politicians of his era--known for both a 
     tight fist and a caring heart.
       Mr. Rawlings' intellectual grasp of policy detail and 
     instinct for mastering the levers of power propelled him to a 
     top post in the General Assembly. His greatest contributions 
     arose, however, from his willingness to take on the unpopular 
     yet critical tasks of fiscal management.
       He never forgot his West Baltimore constituents, yet he had 
     the rare courage to sometimes tell them no.
       Such was the force of his conviction that he managed not 
     only to survive such battles but to prosper. His remarkable 
     legacy includes a new generation of political leaders he 
     mentored along the way.
       As a freshman delegate, part of a tiny minority of black 
     lawmakers, Mr. Rawlings claimed his seat on the House 
     Appropriations Committee in 1979 and immediately started 
     breaking the rules. He publicly questioned every spending 
     item, including those dear to the hearts of his committee 
     mates, wanting to know what good the money would do for ``his 
     people.''
       Colleagues rolled their eyes. Who was this guy? They were 
     used to machine-backed black legislators who were reliable 
     votes, and to the ``screamers'' who would grandstand in 
     protest of the system but never get anything done. In Mr. 
     Rawlings, they found the passion of a civil rights activist 
     and the analytical mind of a mathematician combined with the 
     savvy of a backroom pol.
       He was quickly tagged as a ``comer,'' was named to a 
     subcommittee chairmanship and by 1992 was awarded the gavel 
     of Appropriations Committee chairman.
       Running Appropriations in Annapolis isn't like in Congress, 
     where the bounty flows seemingly without limit. In Maryland, 
     the budget has to balance. Mr. Rawlings made it his business 
     to try to ensure the taxpayers' money was being spent wisely.
       He battled with Baltimore mayors and officials of Morgan 
     State University. He authored reforms in education, housing 
     and health care. He brought home the bacon as he saw fit.
       The strongest testimony to his style may be his endorsement 
     of Martin O'Malley in the 1999 mayoral race against black 
     competitors, thus awarding the job of running a majority-
     black city to a white politician Mr. Rawlings thought better 
     qualified.
       Much of Mr. Rawlings' success stemmed from the sense that 
     he was not interested in power for its own sake, but for what 
     he could accomplish. That, and a deep bass voice that boomed 
     with such moral authority it seemed to come from the heavens.
       His passing robs Baltimore of its most effective and 
     empathetic advocate. All of Maryland, though, is poorer for 
     his loss.

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