[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       IN MEMORIAM OF ABE GOOTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a dear friend, Mr. 
Abe Gootman. Much to the loss of local politics, Abe Gootman passed 
away today.
  For as long as I can remember, Abe had been on the front line of 
politics in Philadelphia. He was with me on my first campaign for 
Congress in 1982, and was a stalwart supporter throughout the rest of 
my career. Abe was always there to champion the causes that I believed 
in and defend my actions as a Member of Congress. As a committee person 
from the 54th Democratic ward, his voice could always be heard. You 
could consistently count on Abe to get the message out, whether it was 
in a neighborhood meeting or a letter to the editor, and people 
invariably listened.
  Abe worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 45 years and retired in 
April, 1968. He started his career as a letter carrier, then drove a 
mail truck and became a tour supervisor of all mail at 30th Street 
Station, working the 4-12 shift, before retiring. As a member of the 
National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Association of 
Retired Federal Employees, Abe was a staunch advocate for federal 
retirees and their need to be treated as equal as beneficiaries of the 
Social Security system. He worked tirelessly in his effort to see that 
retired federal employees got what they deserved.
  Mr. Speaker, Abe Gootman was a kind and generous man who firmly 
believed in the sanctity of the government and the political process. 
As a World War II Veteran, he was a true patriot and believer in 
democracy by the people, for the people. It is a sad day for 
Philadelphia, and a sad day particularly for me. I will truly miss Mr. 
Gootman, he has been an anchor and a guide throughout my career. My 
deepest sympathies to his family.

                          ____________________