[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E507]]
         HONORING BOB KUSSE, FORMER PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL ENGLISH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

  Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor the life of former Pennsylvania State Senator and personal 
friend, Bob Kusse who passed this February. Bob Kusse was born in 
Rochester, New York in 1918, and attended the Universities of Rochester 
and Buffalo. Despite his New York roots however, this man dedicated the 
rest of his adult life to serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  Bob Kusse served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 
1972 to 1977. He was elected to the State Senate in a special election 
in May 1977. I had the great pleasure of working for Senator Kusse from 
1981 until the Senator's retirement in 1984.
  Senator Kusse was one of the toughest, most principled voices in the 
Pennsylvania State Senate. He was a remarkable advocate of improving 
the state's transportation system as well as the state's business 
climate. He was a committed conservative who was always ready to make 
tough decisions and make Pennsylvania attractive for new job creation.
  Senator Kusse presided at a critical time and over efforts to rebuild 
the states' roads and bridges, expand its turnpike and put its mass 
transit systems on a sound footing. As a top fiscal conservative, he 
was a uniquely credible spokesman to join with Transportation Secretary 
Larsen and push for much needed revenues to fix Pennsylvania's 
transportation system.
  Senator Kusse brought a rare integrity and wonderful outspokenness to 
the House, and later, the Senate. Bob Kusse was a self-made man who 
loved his community and his family, and had a marvelous love of 
learning that culminated in his seeking his Bachelor's degree, in his 
seventies, at Edinboro University after his retirement from the 
Pennsylvania State Senate. He was wonderful mentor and a truly 
marvelous public servant.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in commemorating the life of 
Senator Bob Kusse.

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