[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1729-E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ON THE LIFE AND SUDDEN DEATH OF HONORABLE ARTHUR E. TEELE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 
constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida, I stand 
today with a heavy heart following the sudden and tragic death of Mr. 
Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
  On Wednesday, July 27, 2005 the State of Florida, this Nation, and I 
lost a great friend, patriot, and champion for the less fortunate. His 
death marks the end of a great career as a statesman, political leader, 
visionary, decorated veteran, attorney, newspaper publisher and family 
man.
  Arthur Teele was an imposing figure, astute and sharp of mind and 
wit. He was as diverse as he was intuitive in matters of people, 
politics and the driving forces behind change.

[[Page E1730]]

Here was a man as complex in his thinking, as he was simple in his 
focus on bettering the lives of so many. He ably balanced political 
acumen with the ability to traverse and bridge party and ideological 
lines, bringing a voice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless, and 
instilling a fighting spirit in those who felt lifeless and forgotten.
  Arthur Teele was a skilled and brilliant strategist, who knew not 
only the pulse but felt the heart beat of his constituency; moreover, 
he moved deftly and with passion through all political and social 
ranks, regardless of political affiliations, to bring to many 
communities much needed services. As head of the U.S. Urban Mass 
Transportation Administration, he built bridges of influence that 
brought transportation, jobs, and much needed services to depressed 
minority communities and the urban core. He stood tall and strong as a 
champion of enterprise, and as an advocate for changing the social, 
economic, and political fabric of communities across Florida, and 
indeed the Nation.
  Arthur Teele, was the consummate man against the odds, taking on the 
fight for social and economic parity. He made us feel we were important 
and necessary partners in the fight to make this region, this State, 
and this Nation honor its promises to all citizens.
  His legacy may well be written from varying viewpoints, yet I remind 
you that in all things, the good that men and women do, will in the 
eyes of those who really care, outlive and outshine all the other 
utterances.

                          ____________________