[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 61 (Monday, April 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E604-E605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF TONY COELHO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Tony 
Coelho. Tony, a former U.S. Congressman, has led a life devoted to 
public service, and he deserves to be commended for all of his efforts 
in making the Central Valley as well as our nation a better place.
  Tony was born and raised in Merced County. He grew up in a Portuguese 
immigrant family and learned the value of hard work helping on his 
family's dairy farm. Obtaining a college education was a priority for 
Tony, so he moved to Southern California to attend Loyola University of 
Los Angeles. In 1964, he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree. He 
hoped to study for the priesthood, but his plans were interrupted when 
he was diagnosed with epilepsy, and canon law in the Catholic Church 
precluded anyone with epilepsy from entering the priesthood. He 
ultimately found a new ministry--public service--and it took him to 
Washington, DC.

[[Page E605]]

  Tony served as a staff member for Congressman Bernie Sisk for 13 
years, ultimately becoming his Chief of Staff. As staff, Tony honed his 
political skills and his knowledge of water and agricultural issues in 
the Central Valley. When Congressman Sisk announced his retirement, 
Tony ran to succeed him and won the seat in 1978.
  After serving just one term in office, in 1981, Tony was selected to 
be chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee whose 
main job was to help get Democrats elected to Congress. He 
professionalized the campaign committee raising more money than had 
ever been raised before from traditionally Republican interests as well 
as Democratic interests to support worthy Democratic candidates. He 
also developed the permanent infrastructure comprised of pollsters, 
speech writers, and fundraising staff to enable Democrats to be 
competitive in races. Due to his success, in 1986, Tony was the first-
elected House Majority Whip, third in line to the House Speakership. As 
Majority Whip, Tony secured the votes needed to pass the Democratic 
legislative agenda.
  One of Tony's greatest accomplishments in Congress was serving as the 
primary sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This 
legislation has provided people with disabilities equal access to 
employment, public facilities, and transportation and has made it 
possible for them to become a full participating member of society. 
Since the passage of the law in 1990, millions of Americans have found 
employment that had previously known only discrimination. It is 
considered the most important piece of civil rights legislation in the 
past 30 years.
  Although Tony resigned from Congress in 1989, he continued to 
dedicate time to public service and has remained deeply committed to 
his work in the disabilities movement. For many years, Tony has worked 
closely with the Epilepsy Foundation of America, serving as a national 
spokesperson, Board President, and fundraiser. He was appointed by 
President Bill Clinton to serve as Chairman of the President's 
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and Vice Chair of 
the National Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities as 
well as Co-Chair to the U.S. Census Monitoring Board. Tony also served 
as the U.S. Commissioner General to the 1998 World Exposition in 
Lisbon, Portugal.
  Tony also has stayed very active politically. In 2000, he served as 
chairman of the Gore presidential campaign and continues to serve as an 
informal adviser to numerous Members of Congress and elected officials 
at all levels of government.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to recognize a mentor and friend to many 
of us, Tony Coelho. He has made a lasting difference in our nation, and 
we must thank him for his unwavering commitment and service.

                          ____________________