[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H7162-H7163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO A LOCAL HERO, ROBERT VON DRASEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to 
Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Von Drasek, as he is better known. Bob was the most 
dedicated, committed, and loyal Saul-Alinsky-trained organizer who I 
have ever known.
  Bob came to the south Austin community during a time of great 
turbulence.

                              {time}  1030

  The community was in the throes of a great transition from being 80 
percent White to becoming 80 percent Black within a 10-year period of 
time. Blockbusting, panic peddling, redlining, disinvestment, and all 
manner of malfeasance were taking place. Police brutality and other 
forms of law enforcement misconduct were rampant.
  I met Bob during this period. It was also during this time that the 
Organization for a Better Austin, under the leadership of Gail 
Cincotta, was organized; the South Austin Coalition Community Council, 
SACCC, was formed with Bob as a lead organizer; and I decided to run 
for the city council.
  Over the years, I have followed Bob's work without exception. South 
Austin is practically an all African American community, except for a 
few merchants who never left the area, a few White citizens, school 
teachers, and policemen. Of course, Bob is White or Caucasian, and yet 
he won the hearts of the

[[Page H7163]]

community and the trust of the people. He has developed intimate 
relationships with many of the residents and, to many, he is like a 
member of their family.
  Through Bob's leadership, SACCC became known as the top grassroots 
community organization in the Chicagoland area. Bob was always a great 
strategist, but the members, like Mr. Ed Bailey, Mrs. Irene Norwood, 
Mrs. Lillian Drummond, and Mr. George Lawson, were the voices.
  Many people don't know it, but it was SACCC who led community 
reinvestment. It was SACCC who organized senior citizens. It was SACCC 
who led the fight for LIHEAP. It was SACCC who kept the Austin Bank on 
its toes. It was SACCC who united block clubs. It was SACCC who got 
people to join local school councils. And it was SACCC who got churches 
to open their doors for community meetings.
  I have been in buildings with Bob where there was no heat. I have 
been in homes where there was no food. I have been on streets where 
there were no lights. I have been with Bob in allies where there was no 
hope. I have been with Bob and families after their relatives were 
shot.
  Bob has worked to bring help to the helpless and hope to the 
hopeless. Bob VonDrasek, you are a good man, and I thank you and your 
family, your wife and children, for what you have meant to our 
community and to our world.
  True soldiers are always reluctant to come off the battlefield, but 
there comes a time when we must put away our swords and shields to 
practice war no more. When that time comes, Bob, just know that you 
have made a difference. When you came to south Austin, newspapers were 
writing that it would be the next big slum. They did not know you and 
they did not know the people of south Austin. South Austin is not a 
slum. It is a vibrant, forward-thinking, and forward-moving community.
  Bob, you have done the Master's work. You have fed the hungry, 
clothed the naked, brought hope to the hopeless, and help to the 
helpless. You have lifted spirits and you have taught people how to 
love, how to live, and how to work together.
  I close, Bob, by leaving these words with, and for, you.

       If when you give the best of your service, telling the 
     world that the Savior is come, be not dismayed when men don't 
     believe you, He understands, and will say, ``Well done.''
       Oh, when I come to the end of my journey, weary of life and 
     the battle is won, carrying the staff and the cross of 
     redemption, He'll understand, and say, ``Well done.''
       If when this life of labor is ended, and the reward of the 
     race you have run, oh, the sweet rest prepared for faithful, 
     will be His blest and final, ``Well done.''
       But if you try and fail in your trying, hands sore and 
     scarred from the work you've begun, take up your cross, run 
     quickly to meet Him, He'll understand, He'll say, ``Well 
     done.''

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