[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PETER F. FLAHERTY

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, today I rise to reflect on the 
passing of Peter F. Flaherty. On Monday, April 18, 2005, Peter Flaherty 
passed away at his home in Mount Lebanon, PA, after a battle with 
cancer. The Flaherty family has suffered a tremendous loss, and I offer 
them my condolences and deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
  Pete Flaherty has had incredible influence over the Pittsburgh region 
and also over his party. As a Democrat, Pete Flaherty did not always 
follow the party line, which sometimes got him into trouble, but mostly 
made him an effective leader.
  Pete's roots extend back to Alpine Avenue in the north side of 
Pittsburgh where he was born. He attended St. Peters, a Catholic 
elementary school, went on to Latimer Middle School, and graduated from 
Allegheny High School. His family, devout Irish Catholics, attended St. 
Peters in Pittsburgh, where Pete served as an altar boy.
  Before attending Carlow University and Notre Dame Law School, Pete 
joined the Army Air Corps and was trained as a navigator. As the war 
was coming to a close, Pete was shipped to a B-29 squadron in Guam.
  It was after law school that Pete began his political career. He was 
elected to his first office as city council in 1965. It did not take 
long for Pete to make his mark on Pittsburgh.
  In more than 40 years of public service, Pete was three times the 
Democratic nominee for statewide office, served as deputy U.S. attorney 
general, was mayor of Pittsburgh, and was a county commissioner for 12 
years. His career of public service was truly remarkable.
  Pete Flaherty not only leaves behind a legacy but also a wonderful 
family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Flaherty family during the 
days and months ahead.

                          ____________________