[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 766]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER PENNSYLVANIA STATE REP. TERRY VAN HORNE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK S. CRITZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of a selfless 
community leader, accomplished lawmaker and skilled statesman. Former 
Pennsylvania state representative Terry Van Horne died on Monday, 
January 30, 2012, at the age of 65. Terry was a gentleman who used his 
talents as a legislator to enhance the lives of the people of the 
Allegheny-Kiski Valley. He was known as an independent-minded public 
servant who never allowed partisan politics to stand in the way of 
doing what was best for his constituents. Terry's unwillingness to 
compromise his core convictions for the sake of political expediency 
gained him the love of his constituents and the respect of his 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
  Terry began his principled and distinguished career in public service 
on the Arnold City Council in the late 1970's. From there, he went on 
to represent Pennsylvania's 54th House District for nearly 20 years. By 
all accounts, he was a dynamic, yet congenial legislator who could 
defuse even the bitterest of political scuffles with his quick wit and 
radiant smile. After leaving office in 2000, he worked as a consultant 
and practiced law before returning to public service in 2007 to serve 
as municipal manager for Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, a position he held 
until February of 2009. Just this past December, Terry was hired by the 
Arnold Council to be its new city clerk.
  While tragedy cut his life short, Terry will be remembered not for 
how he died, but for how he lived--as a steadfast champion of the 
people.
  Mr. Speaker, who can explain why great men like Terry are taken from 
us prematurely? The reality that Terry will no longer be able to pursue 
his life's passion of public service is truly a tragedy for everyone 
who calls the Alle-Kiski Valley home. I hope that his wife, Jacqueline, 
and all of his family and friends find comfort in knowing that Terry's 
legacy will continue to inspire generations of public servants to come.

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