[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     EIGHTY YEARS OF RAZZLE-DAZZLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, a son of Massachusetts celebrated his 80th 
birthday in March. Bob Crane, who won 11 statewide elections and held 
elective office for 34 years, is being feted by friends and family for 
a lifetime of public service and his unbeatable joy of life and 
politics.
  Bob began his service to his country over 60 years ago when he 
enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18 during World War II. Bob is a 
decorated war hero and fought in the bloodiest battle of World War II 
in Okinawa. This son of Irish immigrants returned after the war to 
Boston where he attended Boston College, married his lovely Mary, had 
five great children and began a memorable career in politics.
  First elected to the state legislature, Bob served an unprecedented 
26 years as State Treasurer. Bob left office in 1991 but, as is often 
the case with extraordinary people, the best was yet to come. Bob 
entered the business world to become the CEO of the Nation's largest 
food brokerage firm, but continued his lifelong habit of being a 
volunteer entertainer at homes for the elderly, children and the needy 
in the Boston area with his wonderful group, the Treasury Notes. Some 
of his most ardent admirers are people who no longer see the caring 
hand of friendship and support in their lives.
  Bob Crane has been called an equal opportunity schmoozer and is known 
as a bipartisan charmer. He answers his critics with a warm grin and a 
confidence that any negatives directed at him will bounce off like 
water on the back of the ducks in the Boston Common. He has won the 
admiration of both Republicans and Democrats at the State and national 
levels and his fans include this Ohioan who has joined him in singing 
the Findlay Ohio classic, ``Down by the Old Mill Stream'' to the 
delight of various political crowds.
  A Boston Globe columnist once wrote,

       Crane is a full-plumage specimen of an endangered species: 
     the warm-blooded, pre-Watergate politician who attends wakes, 
     sings with a robust Irish tenor at weddings and nursing 
     homes, and charms even his enemies with generosity and a 
     smile as big as the Ritz.

  Although Bob Crane is a Democrat and I am a Republican, and he loves 
the Red Sox while I am a Tiger fan, we share a mutual pleasure in golf; 
I agree with Mike Barnicle, the well-known columnist who wrote that Bob 
is one politician ``who can still smile, who still thinks that politics 
means people, and one who takes his business but not himself that 
seriously.''
  Bob has been called the ``Johnny Carson of Massachusetts politics,'' 
and having seen how he wins over even his toughest critics, I have to 
agree. Happy Birthday, Bob. Here's to 80 more years of razzle-dazzle.

                          ____________________