Date: 1987-09-15
Speaker: BEN CARDIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

for taking this time so that the many of us who knew Mayor DAlesandro. Jr.. can participate in this tribute to the man who has been properly described as the greatest politician Baltimoreand even Marylandhas had in this century. It is most unusual in this body we have participating in such a tributethe daughter of that former Member because that daughter also is a Member today. And NANCY. I know I speak for the Members on my side of the aisle when I say we are sorry that your family has suffered this loss. but you told it so well in your eulogy to your father. a family man. but one who had lived his whole life in the city. not an outdoors type so that he didnt like it when he visited his sons in a summer camp and saw them sleeping on the ground. They came home with him while he grumbled all the way that he had worked all his life so his kids would never have to do that. You also said. NANCY. that your father believed in the twoparty systemthe Democrats to run the Government and the Republicans to watch from the outside. I know how ardent your father was about his party and. therefore. I considered it very special that he liked this Republican and would sometimes even say the word when he saw me. I first met Tommy DAlesandro. Jr.. when he was a Congressman commuting by train between Washington and Baltimore. and then one day in 1947 he stepped down to become mayor. to have his handpicked successor Ed Garmatz take his seat as Congressman from the Third District. that seat now -being held by our distinguished colleague. Mr. BEN CARDIN. It was while Tommy DAlesandro. Jr.-who became affectionately known as Mayor DAlesandro for the rest of his lifewas mayor that I got to know him the bestbecause I was a young reporter covering the waterfront. the port of Baltimore. and he was a mayor who wanted to see improvements to that port. Thats where we hit it off. As has been decribed here earlier. he was a doer. During his 12 years as mayor. many major improvements were made. including our great airport and the return of the Orioles. although this year I do not think he would be very happy about the Orioles. and then laying the foundation for the building of the inner harbor. It was very helpful to have the opportunity to pick his brains. along with those of Ed Garmatz and George Fallon and Sam Friedel. three Democrat congressional chairmen from Baltimore. all of whom were interested in the betterment of Baltimore and Maryland. I appreciate the fact that I had the opportunity to learn at their feet. It was a special era in Baltimore. and how proud Tommy was when his older son followed in his steps to become mayor. For the first time a father and son had accomplished that in Maryland. His son. Tom. a stalwart person. found it difficult to bid a final goodbye to this father. We all felt for him as he eulogized this great American. one who never forgot about his Italian ties but one who always pushed for America first. In his later years I frequently had the pleasure of running into Mayor Tommy and his wife Nancy dining at Haussners Restaurant. a landmark in Baltimore. where they were loved and loved in return. The last time I had the privilege of talking at length with Tom. Jr.. was in May at a dinner sponsored by the Order of the Sons of Italy. Even though he was then confined to a wheelchair. he attended along with his lovely mother and his devoted wife Nancy. and as always he was given a very warm reception. a standing ovation by the audience. And. of course. we were all so delighted that he was able to be here to witness your swearing in. I would like to express my personal sympathy to the entire DAlesandro and Pelosi families and say to Nancy. Sr.. you have been a most devoted wife and mother. I am sorry that you have lost your lifetime companion. but you have a beautiful family of children and grandchildren. and I know they will help you through these trying times. And NANCY. my love to you.