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U.S. House of Representatives Passes Resolution Honoring Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor
Pittsburgh, PA – September 12, 2006 – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Congressman Doyle’s legislation (H.Res. 983) honoring the life and accomplishments of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, who passed away September 1.
“Bob O’Connor was not just another elected official,” Congressman Doyle (PA-14) said today. “He was a man of great warmth, generosity, vision, and integrity. He was a successful businessman and a widely respected public servant with a distinguished record of service and the potential for even greater accomplishments. His untimely death at the age of 61, so soon after beginning his first term as Mayor, has deeply saddened the residents of Pittsburgh as well as his family and friends. I am proud to claim him as a good friend of mine, and I will miss him deeply.”
“I introduced this resolution with my colleague from Upper St. Clair, Congressman Tim Murphy, to honor Bob O’Connor’s life, mourn his loss, and extend the House of Representative’s condolences to his family, friends, and constituents,” Congressman Doyle explained. “We felt that it was fitting that the nation officially recognize his passing in this manner.”
Congressman Doyle introduced this legislation last Wednesday, the first day after Mayor O’Connor’s death that the House of Representatives was in session. The bill had bipartisan support from Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation, and Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) graciously agreed to be the bill’s lead Republican sponsor. With the support of House Majority Leader John Boehner, House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, and House Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman, standard House procedures were expedited so that H.Res. 983 could be brought to the House Floor this week.
“Bob O’Connor was not your typical public servant,” Congressman Doyle said in his remarks this afternoon on the House Floor. “He was an intelligent, outgoing, charismatic man – widely respected for his ability to bring people together and for his commitment to the City of Pittsburgh. Everyone knew him, and I daresay everybody loved him. Our community was excited and enthusiastic about the good things that he and his administration were going to do for the City. That’s why his death has been such a blow to the citizens of Pittsburgh.”
After a number of speeches honoring Mayor O’Connor, the House passed the resolution by voice vote. Bob O’Connor’s wife and children, along with other relatives and family friends, watched consideration and passage of the bill from the House Gallery.
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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