Robert Brady

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to not impeach the President of the United States. Mr. Speaker, seven months ago next Monday, I was sworn in as a Member of this House. That was one of the proudest days of my life, but not because I had been elected to high office. It was a proud day because I thought I was becoming a part of something bigger than me, something with dignity and honor. I thought I was joining a team. In my remarks that day, I told this House that, as far as I am concerned, the team that I am on is the team of the United States of America. Now I know that there is no Team USA in this body. There is only team GOP. That majority in this body is about to drag this country through the mud in order to get revenge for losing the last two national elections. The leadership of this House is willing to trample over the Constitution in order to punish our President for the crime of beating their candidate. Mr. Speaker, I am not proud to be a part of this body today. But, I am proud to support my President. I am proud to support him because this is not just about Bill Clinton the man. It is about philosophies and the philosophies of the American people. President Clinton wants Social Security reform--for them. He wanted a patients' bill of rights and a good education--for them. You may, and probably will, impeach him this weekend. But you will never impeach the will and the opinion of the American people. I urge my colleagues to vote no on impeachment.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor H.E.R.O., the Philadelphia based non-profit organization which endeavored, and succeeded, to make a positive change in our local community. Their motto, which is ``Helping to Energize and Rebuild Ourselves'', has become a prophecy fulfilled. They have served a dual role since their inception, gathering teens off the street to participate in positive events, while also helping to ease the pain of those who have suffered great loss. H.E.R.O. came into the spotlight about two years ago after the Philadelphia community was emotionally torn over the grueling murder of Aimee Willard, a 22 year old star athlete who was killed after leaving a bar in Wayne, PA. In an effort supervised by Dorris Phillips, the assistant director of H.E.R.O., the organization transformed the site of where Aimee's body was found. Instead of allowing this site to remain a source of angst in the community, these volunteers decided to turn it into a source of pride. They have put in an astounding effort to create a memorial for Aimee. Today, the place where Willard was found is marked by two plastic covered photos of her and a two-foot cross draped with a graduation tassel and rosary, set amid fifteen flower pots. Finding lots of help from neighbors, unions, and various city agencies, H.E.R.O. has assisted in planting a garden, building picnic tables and gazebos, and painting a mural of Aimee which was presented to the Willard family on September 13th of this year. These contributions cannot go unnoticed. In the wake of tragedy, H.E.R.O. has emerged as an organization that is predicated on positive change in the Philadelphia community. Their success in changing the perceptions of the local youth are typified in the comments of one of its youth volunteers, Eugena Humphrey. As Humphrey stated in an article for the Philadelphia Inquirer, ``People always talk bad about it; I know I sometimes do. Maybe if you make one change, other changes will develop.'' With organizations like H.E.R.O. around, positive change does not remain an intangible dream, but is rather allowed to become a reality. For this, the City of Philadelphia owes its sincerest thanks.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to utter a few words about Gus Pedicone, a man truly worth honoring. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mr. Pedicone has been a great leader to his community. His achievements are well worth noting as they demonstrate the positive results that come with hard work and determination. Perhaps such determination and desire to succeed came about through Gus's early years as a soldier. Serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, Gus displayed his commitment to serve this community, a commitment that has now spanned over fifty years. Soon after his career as a soldier, Gus entered the political arena, first as a committeeman, then as a Republican Ward Leader for the 26th Ward. At the pinnacle of his political career in 1971, he was even a candidate for United States Congress. Obtaining degrees from both the Palmer Business School, and the highly esteemed Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Pedicone's business savvy is self-evident. He started his own air freight business in 1965, which became a very successful endeavor. Gus was also on the State Tax Equalization Board for 14 years, and was a recent appointee to the State Board of Automotive Manufacturers. While too often such success is coupled with a loss of community spirit, Gus has proven his loyalty as a member of the Sons of Italy and as a past member of the Lions Club. Aside from all these accomplishments, Mr. Speaker, Gus Pedicone should be recognized for his legacy as a role model. He is well known throughout the Philadelphia community as a gentleman and a man of his word. Just the other day, I spoke to his Democratic counter part, the Honorable Ronald Donatucci. Although Mr. Pedicone and Mr. Donatucci spent years opposing each other on election day, Ron had nothing but praise for Gus. All of us can only hope to be so well thought of by our opponents. Gus Pedicone is a truly remarkable man. His diverse achievements in both the private and public realms give way only to his continuing desire to serve his community as best he can. He has had a positive effect on all aspects of our community for over fifty years, and for this I would like to express my deepest gratitude.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great Philadelphian, Fred Gosley. Fred is a father and grandfather. He is an honored veteran, who continues to give back to his fellow vets through his work in the VFW. He is a community activist, who is well known for his efforts in the 13th Ward. But, more than anything else, Fred is a man of God. Fred Gosley made a lifelong commitment to his church. And Fred always keeps his commitments. His Pastor, Rev. Barry Williams, told me that Fred is one of the most active members of New Inspirational. He is an example to old and young of the benefits of hard work and living according to the scriptures. Mr. Speaker, Fred Gosley will be honored by his church for his service to the community and to New Inspirational. I join them in paying homage to a man who has few peers, Fred Gosley.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3939, which will designate the United States Postal Service building located at 658 63rd Street, Philadelphia as the ``Edgar C. Campbell, Sr., Post Office Building.'' I echo the eloquent words of my colleague and friend Chaka Fattah, when he described the greatness of this pioneering statesman. But, Mr. Speaker, Edgar Campbell was more than a great Philadelphian. He was more than a great leader. Edgar Campbell was a great man. He was a devoted family man and neighbor. He was active in his church and in the greater community. The measure of his success as a leader is that he was elected city wild at a time when it was difficult for an African American. The measure of his success as a politician is that he held key leadership positions in the Democratic Party and won those positions because of the respect his fellow leaders had for him. But most importantly, the measure of his success as a father is that his children entered his profession and continue to fulfill his legacy. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that Edgar C. Campbell was my friend. Edgar's daughter, the great Carol Ann Campbell, is my friend too. And for all Edgar did and for all Carol Ann continues to do, I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bill.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3999, which will designate the United States Postal Service building located at 5209 Greene Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the ``David P. Richardson, Jr., Post Office Building.'' Mr. Speaker, Dave Richardson was a man like few others. I heard the many kind things my colleagues said about Ron Dellums today. I didn't serve with Mr. Dellums, but I worked for many years with Dave. And based on what I've heard about Ron, he and Dave were cut from the same cloth. Dave Richardson was a fighter for justice. He never stopped working on behalf of the poor and working people of this country, especially those in his beloved Germantown. Mr. Speaker I am proud to share the representation of Dave's old district with this bill's sponsor, Mr. Fattah. And every day, I can see the results of Dave's tireless work. Dave earned and kept the respect of everyone who knew him in Philadelphia, in the State House in Harrisburg and across this great nation through is work with other African American legislators. He was a leader. He was a warrior. And happily, Dave Richardson was my friend. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bill.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my friend and fellow Philadelphian, Stu Bykofsky. Stu is a long time columnist, author and man about town. He is also a board member of the Variety Club, one of America's most prominent charities. For the past eight years, Stu has organized and hosted ``Stu Bykofsky's Candidates' Comedy Night.'' The Candidates' Comedy Night raises funds for the Variety Club of Delaware Valley. I know that all my colleagues are aware of the fine work done by Variety Clubs throughout this nation, and indeed in several other countries throughout the world. But, only my fellow Philadelphians could truly appreciate Stu and his Comedy Night. This event is absolutely unique. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world. And, if this fundraiser is unique, it has nothing on Stu Bykofsky. We all know that politics sometimes has its lighter moments. But Stu's Comedy Night is one of the few times during which the laughs are on purpose. It is a bipartisan, indeed a multi-partisan event--one that moves candidates from the heat of battle to the heat of the stage lights for one night each year. At this show, candidates for political office stand up and tell jokes. In its eight years, more than $50,000 has been raised for the kids served by Variety Club. The mission of the Variety Club of the Delaware Valley is to provide programs and services to children with disabilities. It serves children between birth and 18 years of age with temporary or permanent disabilities resulting from injury, illness, or congenital conditions. It serves children with disabilities residing in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. ``Stu Bykofsky's Candidates' Comedy Night'' will help Variety Club buy medical equipment, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and run its summer camp for disabled kids. Mr. Speaker, if not for the Variety Club, untold number of children in my district, and throughout our region would live much more difficult lives. And if not for Stu Bykofsky, the Variety club would have a much more difficult time helping those kids. I know that all my colleagues will join me in congratulating Stu and the Variety Club for all their hard work.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the McDade/Murtha amendment to the Commerce-State-Justice appropriations bill, a provision also known as the Citizens Protection Act. Mr. Chairman, very alarming information concerning alleged abuses and misconduct on the part of career prosecutors employed by the U.S. Department of Justice, has been brought to my attention by State Representative Harold James, who is Chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and Representative Leanna Washington, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Both Representative James and Representative Washington requested my support for the Citizens Protection Act, which I have subsequently co- sponsored. They informed me of the results of independent hearings, endorsed by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, which raised grave questions about misconduct by prosecutors. The Caucus, the Nation's largest organization of African-American elected officials, in 1995 called for Congressional Hearings To Investigate Misconduct by the U.S. Department of Justice. Mr. Chairman, the McDade/Murtha amendment addresses every area of concern expressed by my constituents. I urge its adoption.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to echo all the remarks made by my colleagues. My father was a police officer and I know how our family felt every time he went to work protecting the people under his jurisdiction. I can only imagine what the families of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson are going through right now, the emptiness, the pain and the sorrow. I can only hope that the bravery and the distinguished act of courage by these two outstanding police officers--and the more than appropriate tribute being paid to them will ease just a little of their pain and make the days pass a little easier for the Chestnut and Gibson families.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great Philadelphian, William Avery. Bill Avery began his career as a management trainee with Crown Cork and Seal's Chicago plant in 1959, while he completed his studies at the University of Chicago. His career at Crown advanced steadily through the last four decades, as he rose from the position of Plant Manager, to Area Manufacturing Manager, Vice President of Sales for the Mid-Western Division, and Corporate Vice President. After only four years, Bill was promoted from the Vice Presidency to President and Chief Operating Officer of Crown. Mr. Speaker, because of Bill's leadership as President, and today, as Chairman and CEO, Crown has grown exponentially. It is a global leader in the packaging industry and a wonderful corporate citizen in my home town of Philadelphia. Bill Avery is personally active in educational and charitable organizations in the Philadelphia region. His board memberships include the YMCA, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Opportunities Industrialization Center, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Gwynedd Mercy College, the Connelly Foundation, PhAME, PAL, Avenue of the Arts, Inc., the Franklin Institute and the Regional Performing Arts Center. Mr. Speaker, Bill has also been honored by His Holiness Pope John Paul II with a knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my colleagues join me in honoring a great Philadelphian and a great American, Bill Avery.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To my dean from Pennsylvania, Congressman Murtha, I always will respect the fact that you will be my dean and I will follow you, along with my leader. I thank you, Bobby Borski and Chaka Fattah. I thank the other Congressmen Fox and Weldon from the other side of the aisle for those kind remarks. After all you have said, I should not say anything else because I probably will just louse it up, but I need to thank a few people. I am not here by myself. I am here with a lot of people that I brought, my family and my friends. But I am not standing here because of myself. I am standing here because of a lot of people had the faith to vote for me in this past reelection. Without labor, organized labor, which I am a part of, it would not have been able to be happening. I am also a city chairman. So with my fellow ward leaders and all my committee people that shared the faith and came out and voted for me, I need to thank them, and I need to thank a whole lot of people that helped me get here through the tough times. We had a couple campaign trail buddies running, as you know, from Congress, running throughout the district. It is a long and tedious thing to do. I just appreciate the Joel Johnsons, the Bobby Rebstocks, I do not want to get in trouble, but the Jimmy Harritys, the Steve Kaplans, the Phil Espositos, who was my motor guy. We had all kinds of vehicles running around. I want to thank him. He is our navigator, also. I want to thank my staff down in City Committee in the City of Philadelphia, Linda Matthews and Charlie Bernard, the Elmers, all the staff down there, special people, a fellow that you may know by the name of Buddy Cianfrani, who was a mentor and pushed me right on through in some bad times, and a young lady who is the chairperson of the African-American Ward Leaders by the name of Carol Campbell that I would be absolutely wrong and remiss if I did not thank her personally for all the things she has done for me through many, many years helping me get here. There is an another gentleman, our City Comptroller by the name of Jonathan Saidel. He is the gentleman that keeps us loose. He is also my finance chairman, who put a whole lot of money there. He is sitting up there. Jonathan, I love you for all you have done. There have been some tough times, and he has been by my side many times. I just hope that I can continue to be here and be by your side. A lot was said about my candidacy. I had the fortune to bring a whole lot of people together from all different walks of life, different races and different creeds, the black clergy, the NAACP, the Jerry Mondessaires, the Senator Fumos. It was written in the press that it was remarkable that I could have people standing next to me at an announcement and standing next to me at a victory party that will probably never stand next to each other again. But I am going to work to try to make that happen. Without question, my family. My mother, I have to apologize for how I put her through three elections in the last six months. Between my younger brother becoming a judge, me winning a primary and the special election. Mom, I guess you are going to have to get used to it, because it is going to have to happen a couple more times. I hope to be here awhile. My wife Debra, who again, was the one that when you come home, as anybody knows, to your spouse, there is somebody there that is going to help you, that is going to ask you how your day was and get you out in the morning to start another day. So, Debra, I thank you and love you. To my children, Bobby and his wife, my daughter-in-law Maria, who stands behind me, as your children and your family stand behind me, they stood behind me. My lovely daughter, Kimberly, my little kindergarten teacher, I can never forget my Kimberly who says, ``Geez, dad, I am taking off Monday and Tuesday. I hope you can get sworn in on Wednesday,'' but it happened on Thursday, so she got a whole week off. So she is happy. For my mother-in-law and father-in-law for putting up with me, and my brother-in-law Rick, my brother Frankie, his wife and little Taylor. My sister-in-law, Roseann, and my brother Frankie. I hope I don't miss anybody, but they are family, they will understand. And I have two jewels. I have two jewels in my life. I have a little 18 month old granddaughter by the name of Serena and a little four year old granddaughter by the name of Alexandra. They are my two jewels. She is up there laughing now. Hi, baby. They are interest on an investment, the grandchildren, and I love them dearly. When I look at them, I see my father, because my father fought a war for us to be here, got wounded a couple times for us to be here, and he cannot physically be here, but he is up there being here right now today. I know that I am honored to be here. I did not think I would be this humbled. It is hard to humble me in the city that I come from. They tried 10, 15 years ago, and it has not worked and I am pretty callous to it. But I am humble today because of what has happened. I thank all my colleagues, I thank all my old friends, I thank hopefully all my new friends, and I appreciate all the kind words, and I look forward to working with you. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. It is a lot easier to follow. I do not care. I am a team player. I do not care if I have to pitch, catch, batboy, I just want to be on the team. As far as I am concerned, the team that I am on is the team of the United States of America. So thank you all, and I appreciate that.