[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1204-S1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Tribute to Marian Benton Tasco

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate Black History 
Month and to pay tribute to a Pennsylvanian who has dedicated her life 
to public service.
  Today, we honor former Philadelphia councilwoman Marian Benton Tasco, 
whose 50-year career in public service has improved the lives of 
countless people in our State. Throughout her career, Marian Tasco 
consistently fought for the people of her community. From her first 
days as a typist working in the city of Philadelphia to the end of her 
seventh term serving on

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the city council, Marian Tasco's life has been dedicated to helping 
people. Today we celebrate Marian's commitment to public service.
  Born during the days of segregation in Greensboro, NC, Marian Tasco 
was joyfully raised through the love and care of her mother, Mazie 
Benton; her great-grandmother, Susie Short; and her grandparents, Alice 
and Thomas Benton. At an early age, Marian expressed an interest in 
community service through volunteer activities with the Brownies and 
Girl Scouts of America. Even as a child, Marian Tasco was inspired to 
help others.
  It was at this point in her life that Marian imagined that she would 
go on to become an educator. With that goal in mind, she began her 
education at Bennett College, a historically Black liberal arts college 
for women, which is located in Greensboro. Marian worked during the 
summers to pay for her tuition. After 2 years, Marian had to leave 
Bennett when she could no longer afford to pay the cost of tuition. 
Later in life, Marian would return to Bennett College as a member of 
the board of trustees and actively work to support the growth of the 
college.
  After leaving Bennett, Marian Tasco moved to Philadelphia to be with 
her family and to continue her education at Temple University. Again 
working to pay her way through school, she attended classes at night 
until her graduation.
  While she maintained a strong interest in serving others, she decided 
that, rather than education, politics and government would be her venue 
for service. In 1959, Marian began her work for the city of 
Philadelphia as a clerk typist I in the Philadelphia Police 
Department's Pawn Brokers Division. As a result of her diligent work, 
not long thereafter, she was promoted to clerk typist II. In this new 
role, she was reassigned to the registrar's office of the Philadelphia 
Museum of Art.
  Like many others who have served the public, Marian Tasco's story in 
politics began on the frontlines of the community--the community she 
would later go on to serve.
  Under the leadership of a distinguished lawyer, Charles Bowser, 
Marian served as a task force coordinator for the Greater Philadelphia 
Urban Affairs Coalition. This is an organization that she continues to 
serve today as a board member. One of Marian's greatest accomplishments 
was the creation of a youth-focused summer work program that still 
exists today. Her experience at the Urban Affairs Coalition affirmed 
her interest in public affairs and community outreach and helped 
increase her understanding of the needs of the African-American 
community in Philadelphia.
  As her career progressed and new opportunities emerged, Marian Tasco 
remained committed to the path of service. Following her work as an 
assistant to the former secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
C. Delores Tucker, Marian brought her passion for service to the office 
of the late U.S. Congressman William H. Gray III. He also, of course, 
served as House majority whip and chairman of the Budget Committee. She 
worked as both campaign manager and director of constituent services 
for Congressman Gray.
  Serving with Secretary Tucker and Congressman Gray made Marian Tasco 
worthy of recognition, but Marian wanted to do more. She decided that 
with her years of experience in community activism and public service, 
she would seek elected office. It was at the urging of Marian's mentor, 
former Representative, City Councilman, and Secretary of Public Welfare 
John White, Jr., that she made the decision to seek elected office.
  In 1983, Marian became the first African American elected 
Philadelphia city commissioner. Instantly, she helped develop voter 
education and registration programs in the city and worked to grow 
civic education focusing on Philadelphia's young people.
  In 1988, Marian began her first term on the Philadelphia City Council 
as a representative for the ninth district of the city. For over 27 
years, she served in a number of communities, including East Oak Lane, 
West Oak Lane, Mount Airy, Olney, Logan, Lawncrest, and Oxford Circle. 
She would go on to be reelected seven times and pioneer initiatives to 
improve the quality of life for Philadelphians young and old.
  Throughout her tenure in office, Councilwoman Tasco's role continued 
to grow in responsibility and scope. She eventually rose to serve as 
Philadelphia City Council's majority leader, as well as majority whip.
  Marian Tasco has served as ward leader for the 50th Ward of 
Philadelphia for the last three decades. She was also unanimously 
elected by the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee to represent 
Pennsylvania on the Democratic National Committee. In this DNC role, 
Councilwoman Tasco's reach grew beyond Philadelphia into the national 
political arena.
  She helped institute meaningful change in Philadelphia and literally 
across the Nation. Among other issues, she worked to fight predatory 
lending, and her work in that area positively impacted the lives of 
many Philadelphians. Her commitment to ``protect Americans from 
unscrupulous dealings of financial institutions'' spanned both Broad 
Street and Wall Street and helped inspire some of President Barack 
Obama's work. Her advocacy on this issue dates back to the early 1990s, 
when she worked with community organizations to alert Philadelphia 
residents about the potential harm of money offered by loan sharks. In 
2004, she briefed then-State Senator Obama on the issue during his 
campaign for the U.S. Senate. In commemoration of her efforts, 
President Obama invited Councilwoman Tasco to join him for the signing 
of the historic Dodd-Frank legislation.
  Marian Tasco's accomplishments in public office made Philadelphia a 
better place to live and work, and the people of Pennsylvania's largest 
city remembered. Her retirement celebrations had over 1,200 attendees, 
including elected officials, labor leaders, community leaders, clergy, 
and, of course, constituents--the people she served. Councilwoman Tasco 
is a beloved figure throughout the city of Philadelphia and beyond. She 
is beloved by her peers and those she represented as a councilwoman.
  Marian's work in public service was a shining example for others to 
follow. Philadelphia mayor and former city council member Jim Kenney 
and former mayor and councilman Michael Nutter have both cited the 
councilwoman as a mentor. In fact, Mayor Kenney even noted that 
Councilwoman Tasco ``raised him'' from the age of 32, when he was a new 
council member.
  She also has a proven legacy of recognizing and developing young 
talent on her own team. Two current members of the Philadelphia City 
Council, Derrick Green and Cherelle Parker, and the late Judge Brenda 
Frazier-Clemons all served as members of her staff.
  Councilwoman Marian Tasco's lifetime of service has been the subject 
of commendation. She has received a notable list of awards and honors, 
including an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Lincoln University. 
Her years of work to improve the city of Philadelphia resulted in a 
lifetime appointment to the Board of Directors of City Trusts, the 
Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center 
Authority Board, just to name a few. For her advocacy on behalf of 
behavioral health programs and work to push local healthcare reforms, 
the former Lindley Court senior living apartments were renamed in her 
honor.
  Marian Tasco has spent the better part of her life working to improve 
her community, and she has inspired the next generation of public 
servants. As we celebrate this Black History Month, we honor those who 
have made a real commitment to serve others. Marian Tasco has always 
honored that commitment.
  On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the city of 
Philadelphia, and all those whose lives have been impacted and inspired 
by her work, it is my privilege on this day to pay tribute to Marian 
Tasco, a former member and leader of the City Council of Philadelphia 
and a devoted public servant who worked her way from clerk typist I to 
citywide leader with national impact.
  Well done, Marian. Your adopted city and our Commonwealth are proud 
of your noble work.
  Thank you.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

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  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.