[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1833]]


                      HONORING ROBERT J. McCARTHY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2008

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of 
Robert J. McCarthy, an outstanding San Franciscan and an outstanding 
American, who passed away on Sunday, September 14th.
  Bob grew up in New York, attending the prestigious Jesuit school 
Regis High School in Manhattan. He attended Santa Clara University 
where, as editor of the school newspaper, he met and fell in love with 
Suzanne Bazzano, a co-ed working as the paper's office manager. After 
graduating from law school at the University of Chicago, he and Suzanne 
returned to the Bay Area, living in San Francisco and raising five 
children.
  Bob's legal career and involvement in politics took off when he 
joined the San Francisco District Attorney's office in the mid-70s. As 
Chief Deputy, he became friends with a newly elected supervisor, Dianne 
Feinstein, a relationship that would last 30 years.
  At Feinstein's encouragement, Bob became general counsel to the local 
Democratic Party. His fundraising and people skills made him invaluable 
to countless campaigns in San Francisco. Members of the Board of 
Supervisors, Senatorial, Gubernatorial, and Presidential candidates 
relied on his generosity and counsel.
  Over 25 years ago, McCarthy and restaurateur and political activist 
Angelo Quaranta started a tradition of Election Day luncheon, inviting 
all the elected officials, staff, commissioners, and other dignitaries 
in San Francisco. It is a place where rivalry ends and food and wine 
begins, and helps calm many a nervous candidate on Election Day.
  In 1980, he formed with Lester Schwartz a general practice law firm 
which lasted until he died. Bob represented some of the largest 
developments in San Francisco. He was a generous donor to charities and 
served on the boards of numerous school, community, and religious 
organizations throughout the city. One of the highlights of his pro 
bono legal career was working to save the San Francisco Giants from 
being relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida.
  I hope it is a comfort to his beloved wife Suzanne and his children 
Brendan, Matthew, Ryan, Margaret, and Bobby, and his many friends that 
so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.
  The following was printed in yesterday's Record and the end notes 
were inadvertently left off. The following is the statement in its 
entirety.

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