[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF THE LATE CONGRESSMAN JEROME ``BOB'' TRAXLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2019

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise in remembrance of the late 
Representative Jerome ``Bob'' Traxler, who served honorably in this 
House from 1974 to 1993. Bob was laid to rest this past week. A proud 
son and representative of the Thumb region of Michigan, including 
Saginaw, and his hometown of Bay City, please let me extend my deepest 
sympathies to his devoted wife, Jean, his daughter Sarah and son-in-law 
Christopher, his two stepchildren Greg and Caroline, and to his nine 
grandchildren.
  Bob was born and raised in 1931 in Kawkawlin, Michigan. He earned his 
undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1953 and 
subsequently his law degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1959. 
Ever the public servant, he served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. 
After his military service, he began his law career as the assistant 
prosecutor in Bay County from 1960 to 1962. He demonstrated his skill 
and knowledge of the law and soon thereafter was elected to the 
Michigan House ofRepresentatives, where he served from 1962 to 1974. 
During this tenure, he served as the Majority Leader of the House from 
1965 to 1966. It was during this time he began to pursue a bill that 
helped establish the Michigan Lottery. And with this legislative 
action, so came his nickname ``Bingo Bob''.
  Bob was elected to the United States Congress after winning a special 
election in April of 1974. He arrived in Washington, D.C. in the midst 
of the Watergate scandal that was shaking the nation. I believe that as 
a witness to such a troubling time in our republic; it resulted in his 
development into a successful Congressman. He recognized that the 
purpose of Congress was to represent and help his fellow constituents, 
to echo their voices so the concerns of all were heard throughout the 
halls of Congress.
  During his eighteen-year tenure in the House of Representatives, Bob 
tirelessly served the people in his district. He loved interacting with 
them whenever he was home to the point where it was not work for him. 
His example is one from which all in Congress could learn. He rose 
through the Committee ranks, gaining respect from House Leadership and 
colleagues, and eventually served on the exclusive House Appropriations 
Committee as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Veterans' Affairs, Housing 
and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies. Through his work on 
the Committee, he was able to advance projects in his district such as 
the EPA research vessel named the ``Lake Guardian''. His wide ranging 
interests asserted that NASA had a champion for the Hubble Telescope, 
that veterans were cared for, that local communities received back from 
the federal government their community development allocations, and 
that Michigan State agricultural interests were defended in the Farm 
Bills. After years of dutiful service, Bob retired in 1993.
  As his colleague for ten years, I learned a great deal from Bob. He 
took the time to illustrate what the position entailed and how very 
important it was to remember who sent a Member to Congress. He often 
reflected on the power imbalance in U.S. society and worked to give a 
greater voice for people of ordinary means. After retirement, Rep. 
Traxler went on to support his alma mater by serving on the Michigan 
State University Board of Trustees and the Mackinac Island Park 
Commission. Though Bob was an MSU Spartan and I, a Wisconsin Badger and 
Michigan Wolverine, he and I were dear colleagues and more importantly, 
dear friends. He tutored me in the intricacies of the appropriations 
process, for which I shall always be grateful. Particularly because our 
region has a tougher lift when competing for federal attention.
  I hope it is of some comfort to his loved ones, and to the people 
that he represented, that his being and indefatigable spirit are now 
freed from Earth's binds; may his soul rise high and shower our 
precious world with peace, justice, and good humor from sea to shining 
sea.
  With a heavy heart, golden memories, and abiding appreciation, may I 
extend my deepest gratitude for the life of Congressman Bob Traxler of 
Bay City, Michigan, and to his family and the people of Michigan he 
loved and treasured so dearly, for sharing him with our nation.

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