[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO JOE ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 1999

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, last week saw the passing of a man who 
symbolized all that is good and productive about local government in 
the United States, Joseph Roberts of Cresson, Pennsylvania.
  Joe was a Cambria County Commissioner for 32 years, and when he 
retired, he was the longest continuous county commissioner in 
Pennsylvania history.
  Joe cared about people. Individuals responded to Joe because they 
knew instantly in talking with him how much he cared about each 
individual, and how much he wanted to help.
  Typical of Joe's work was the leadership and constant oversight he 
provided in creating the county's long-term nursing care facility. Joe 
didn't develop the idea and turn it over to others, or appear to cut 
the ribbon and move on to something else, no, Joe was at the home 
constantly, visiting with people, making them feel better, overseeing 
the care for people who were his neighbors.
  Joe was always looking for ways that the County could do more to help 
people, and help the community. Thousands of families in Cambria County 
are enjoying better lives today because of the work he did in bringing 
jobs to the community, expanding the airport and helping with road 
facilities, and providing a full range of county services.
  And Joe did it all quietly. His reward wasn't in seeing his name in 
the news media, or in getting some award. Joe's legacy was in helping 
people, and seeing government be a force for good and for helping 
people and the community.
  Everyone in government service could benefit from measuring 
themselves against the record and actions of Joe Roberts. Few of us 
will ever succeed to his standards, but we all should try.

                          ____________________