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Congressman Doyle Introduces Resolution To Honor Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor
Pittsburgh, PA – September 7, 2006 – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) introduced legislation yesterday to honor the life and accomplishments of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, who passed away last week.
“Bob O’Connor’s tragic and untimely death has deeply saddened all of us, not just his family and friends,” Congressman Doyle said today. “I felt that it was only appropriate that Congress recognize his many achievements, mourn his loss, and extend its condolences to his family, friends, and constituents.”
Congressman Doyle introduced this legislation, H.Res. 983, yesterday, the first day after Mayor O’Connor’s death that the House of Representatives was in session.
The bill has bipartisan support from Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation. Representatives Murphy, Brady, English, Gerlach, Hart, Holden, Murtha, Peterson, Platts, Schwartz, Sherwood, and Shuster all agreed to cosponsor the bill before it was even introduced, and it is very likely that most, if not all of the Members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation will cosponsor the bill. Congressman Murphy graciously agreed to be the bill’s lead Republican sponsor.
In accordance with standard House procedures, H.Res. 983 has been referred to the House Committee on Government Reform for review. The House Leadership has control over if and when certain legislation is brought to the House Floor for consideration.
“I spoke with House Majority Leader Boehner yesterday and asked him to bring this bill to the Floor for a vote next week,” Congressman Doyle said. “Mr. Boehner’s response was very positive, and I am optimistic that the House will act promptly on this resolution honoring Mayor O’Connor.”
The text of the resolution follows in full:
Whereas Robert E. O’Connor, Jr., was a life-long resident of the City of Pittsburgh.
Whereas Mr. O’Connor was a dedicated husband and father, who was married to Judy Levine for more than 40 years and who raised three children.
Whereas Mr. O’Connor was a successful entrepreneur and businessman for more than two decades;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor was actively involved in his church and community service, serving on the Board of Directors of Carnegie-Mellon University, Gateway Rehabilitation Institute, the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, The Caring Foundation, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall.
Whereas Mr. O’Connor loved the City and his community so much that he left the private sector in 1992 to serve on the Pittsburgh City Council, where he served his community effectively until 2003;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor served two terms as Pittsburgh City Council President;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor served the City of Pittsburgh and all of southwestern Pennsylvania in a high-ranking position in the government of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a year;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor was elected the 58th Mayor of Pittsburgh in 2005.
Whereas Mr. O’Connor, as the Mayor of Pittsburgh, inspired the citizens of the City of Pittsburgh with his bold, clear vision for a revitalized, vibrant community;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor, after being sworn in as Mayor in January of 2006, began moving forward energetically with plans to make that vision a reality;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor, only seven months into his first term in office, was diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor, after a valiant struggle to fight this aggressive form of cancer, passed away on September 1, 2006;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor was widely respected and loved for his warmth, friendliness, intelligence, integrity, and his dedication to the City of Pittsburgh;
Whereas Mr. O’Connor is remembered for his common sense, his many accomplishments, his long record of public service, and his dedication to the City of Pittsburgh;
Whereas, the citizens of the City of Pittsburgh have suffered a grievous loss in the untimely early death of this popular and talented leader; and
Whereas the example set by Mr. O’Connor in both his public and private life was exemplary: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) has learned with profound sorrow of the death of Bob O’Connor;
(2) recognizes Bob O’Connor as a role model of entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and public service in southwestern Pennsylvania and throughout the entire Nation;
(3) expresses its deep gratitude to Bob O’Connor for working tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
(4) extends condolences to his wife, Judy, his children, Heidy, Terrence, and Corey, his extended family, and his many friends; and
(5) extends condolences to the residents of the City of Pittsburgh.
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