Date: 1992-10-01
Speaker: JOE KOLTER (democrat)
Chamber: H

DICK SCHULZE. and Gus YATRON who have played such an active role in the daily activities of this Chamber. As Members labor to finish the business of the House before adjourning. it is appropriate that we should pause to take stock of the Immense public conb buion made by these gentiemen. The Commonwealth al Pennsylvwna is fortunate to have been represented by man of such diverse backgrounds and varied interests. While there may be differences among them in personal experience. party affiliation. and residence. they all share a common commitment to providing the people of their districts with dedicated representation on Issues of local and national Interest Representative LARRY COUGHLIN has chosen to leave the House this year after a long and distinguished period of service In the House which began In 1968. As one of our delegations senior members. he has provided an outstanding example to new members from Penn�ylvana who would aspire to follow this standbrd of Independence and personal Integrity. While always a loyal member of his party. LARRY COuGHUN has displayed on many occasons a willingness to look beyond party labels. While facing at times opposition from an administration of his own party. he has been a champion of Federal support for mass transit and a leader In arms control efforts.. especially during the debate over antisatellite weapons. As the ranking member on the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee. LARRY COUGHUN has played a central role In promoting investment In Americas infrastructure. Urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have benefited significantly from his forceful advocacy In support of mass transit He has also earned the gratitude of many Members. Including myself. for his support of priority transportation projects In various parts of the United States. Representative JOE GAYDOS will leave the House this year after serving 12 terms on behalf of the people of the 20th District. Since he came to the House In 1968 with LARRY COUGHUN. he has labored with equal dedication on behalf of his constituents. JOE GAYDOS has been a fighter for the rights of working men and women and has been a forceful voice during efforts to preserve Americas Industrial base In the face of unfair foreign trade practices. Since JOE GAYDOS welcomed me to the House in 1980. I have had many occasions to work with him on Issues vital to our neighborIng districts In western Pennsylvania. Steel workers and industrialists in Pittsburgh and the Mon Valley gave birth to Americas Industrial revolution. While our region has diversified Into many new economic fields. I am pleased that I have had the benefit of working with JOE GAYDOS as fellow members of the House steel caucus to promote tough U.S. trade policies. As executive committee chalrman of the steel caucus. JOE GAYDOS has helped ensure that Ameican steel has a lir opportunity to compete In the marketplace. He has preserved our Industial heritage and helped to ensure Its futur. As chairman of the House Educaon and Labor Subcommittee n Health and Say. JoE GAVOOS fought Successflly to defeat effouls made by the Reagan administration to weaken Irreparably t Occupalonal Safety and Healih Mmlistralon. He won House passage of ground breaking legislation to protoet workers from exposure to hazardous chaeicals or materials and established the foundalon for future action on this Issue. Wheter i be on Issues ranging from workplace safety. pension rights. or unfair trade. worling men and women have always known that they have a champion In JOE GAYOOS. Representative JOE KOLTER has served the people of the Fourth District In western Pennsylvenle since 1982. He has labored on behalf of his constituents to ensure that they are not forgotten when Federal priorities are estabished. He and I share a history of city council service In our respective communities and I know that he understands as well as I do the vital need for America to have an urban policy. JOE KOLTER has been a part of this fight and I am happy that I have had an opportunity to serve with him Inthe House. As chairman of the House Public Works Subcommittee on Economic Development. JOE KOLTER has worked successfully to focus Americas attention on the need to Invest In our countrys roads. bridges. airports. and waterways. He has made clear to his colleagues and the Nation the Important and central linkage between a strong Infrastructure and a stron economy. Representative DICK SCHUtZE has represented t Fifth District of Pennsylvania since 1974. WhilO I know that many of his constuents will miss his active efforts to represent them In the House. I will miss aspedaily the opportunity to work with him as a fellow Ways and Means Committee member. We have Joined together on many Issues of Importance to Pennsylvania and the Nation. and I regret that we shall no longer be able to present a bipartisan Pennsylvania voice on the Ways and Means Committee. DicK SCHULZE has been a forceful advocate of a tough U.S. trade policy. He has been for many years a leader In the struggle to ensure that tree trade Is matched with fair trade. D"CK SCHULZE has always known how important exports are to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to the overall economic strength of the United States. He has also been a leade"r In efforts to focus national attention on human rights abuses in China and the need for the United States to consider such outrages during debates over United StatesChina trade relatliona. DicK SCHULZE deserves the thanks of workers and businees leaders for his tireless efforts to make sure that unfair foreign trade practices are not Ignored by policy makers in both to Congress and the administration. Representative Gus YATRON came to the House in 1968 along with LARRY COUHUN and JOE GAYDOS. AS the Congressman from the Sixth District of Pennsylvania. Gus YATRON has always maintained a sharp focus on the needs of his constituents. He has fought on behalf .of the many textile and sheetmetal workers In eastern Pennsylvania. Gus YATRON exemplified the best tradition of the House by never lsing touch with the people of h distbic Gus YATRON has been a leader In maintainIng Americas respect for human rights and stresain the need for the Unite States to speak with moral authority in world afflas. As chairman of the House Foreign Affair Subcommittee on Human Rights and Intemalonal Organizations. he has be relentlss I his efforts to focus toe attention of te Congress. the administration and Nation on reports of human rights abuses Incounties govemed by both iends and foes. Gus YATRou deserves special commendation for his efforts to warn America of the threat posed by the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. He was a leading voice In the fight for a United States condemnatio of Iraqi human rights abuses at a time when the Bush administration was still committed to pursuing tMe friendship of Saddam Husseln. He also I&bored for many years to preserve a strong U.S. commilment to an effective United Nations even while the Reagan administration was attempting to withhold funde from this world body. GUS YATRON helped to ensure that there would still be a functioning United Nations when the United States and the world Joined together In a United Nationssponsored campaign to overturn Iraqs nvasion of Kuwait. . Mr. Speaker. I want to thank each of these department members of the Pennsylvania delegation for the pleasure and honor of having served with them In the U.S. House of Representatives. There Is not enough time in the remaining days of the 102d Congress to acknowledge fully their efforts on behalf of their constituents. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. and the Nation. Still. I am pleased that I have had this opportunity to join with my colleagues in expressing our continued resped: for these gentlemen from Pennsylvania.