[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 961]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING STEVE J. BRATKA

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the loss of a 
dear friend, Steve Bratka, past president of the Tarrant County 
Stonewall Democrats.
  Mr. Bratka was studying at the University of Nebraska, where he 
developed a passion to work in the railroad industry.
  Over 40 years, Mr. Bratka held several leadership positions and was 
promoted into the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in 1975.
  In 1991, Steve relocated to Fort Worth, where he served as vice 
chairman until he retired.
  He was very engaged in the community. As one of the founding members 
of the Texas Stonewall Democrats, Mr. Bratka inspired colleagues to run 
for local positions to improve our community.
  Mr. Bratka left his mark on Fort Worth by standing up for those who 
had no voice and mentoring dozens of local chairmen to help them become 
qualified representatives.
  Mr. Bratka is survived by his husband, Tim; sister, Connie Benjamin; 
brother, Lex Bratka, and his wife, Patty Burwell; four nieces; and 
eight great-nieces and -nephews.
  Mr. Bratka's leadership and legacy in the Fort Worth community will 
be celebrated this Saturday at the Southside Preservation Hall.
  Mr. Bratka was a great guy to everyone who knew him, and everyone is 
sad for his loss but remember him fondly for just being a great person.

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