CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E215 Because Sanders implemented this strat- what I feel is a tremendous sense of sadness his hometown of Houston, . In 1933 egy so successfully, the department has re- to leave something I’ve been doing since I Pappy formed the Blue Ridge Playboys in a ceived millions of dollars in grants and has was 22 years old.’’ cooperative effort with other local musicians. become an international model. f ‘‘Sanders has a national reputation as one By the band's second recording session in June 1937, Pappy's innovative fiddle playing of the most progressive, innovative and com- TRIBUTE TO A LADY LYDA passionate leaders in the country,’’ said had emerged as the driving force of the band. Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Po- Soon they recorded such smash hits as ``It lice Executive Research Forum, a non-profit HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS Makes No Difference Now.'' Washington think tank. Sanders serves as OF NEW YORK In 1940, Pappy was signed by Columbia's treasurer and board member. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Vocalion-Okeh subsidiary and built a tight, in- The chief has been popular among officers ventive lineup of new musicians. Their ac- and community members since taking the Thursday, February 11, 1999 claimed 1940 session truly showcased helm in 1993, even in the face of a few un- Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Lyda Lee popular decisions. Pappy's talent in such swinging instrumentals Sanders, a gregarious leader with an easy Williams Saunders Whyte or Lady Lyda, the as ``Texas Take-Off'' and ``Polecat Stomp.'' smile, once sued the department for declin- title bestowed on her by the pastors of the The band's 1941 recording showcased ing to promote him 13 times. He began his Brooklyn's Bridge Street A.M.E. Church, is a Pappy's innovative fiddling as he truly came law enforcement career at 22 in 1973, fulfill- valiant community and church leader. into his own. ing his life’s dream to follow in his father’s Lady Lyda the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. The band was stalled in 1942 by World War footsteps. Henry Williams was born on February 8, 1909, He was promoted through the ranks and II when Pappy entered the Navy. He bravely in Emborden VA. Early on her parents instilled served his country during the war and re- served as SWAT commander during the San in her the importance of obtaining an edu- Ysidro massacre at McDonald’s in 1984, when turned home to work for the Houston Fire De- James Huberty methodically executed 21 cation. At the age of 10, she and her sister partment. Despite this break, Pappy never people. would walk for miles through woods just to at- stopped playing, and when he returned to After his appointment as chief in May 1993, tend school. When she was 13, she taught re- Houston he continued to play and teach music his first speed bump was contending with al- ligious education at Mount Sinai Baptist throughout the community. legations of institutional racism, but the Church and years later she earned her degree With Pappy's passing, we have truly lost a problem subsided after Sanders met with from Virginia State College, currently known legend of first generation Western swing. black leaders. He eventually required all as Virginia State University. members of the department to attend diver- Pappy had a profound musical influence on sity training. In 1932 Lady Lee married the late Harry his peers, and his Blue Ridge Players served Perhaps his most unpopular decision was Arthalia Saunders and shortly thereafter they as a training ground for such important musi- forbidding officers to moonlight as security became members of Bridge Street A.M.E. cians as , , and guards. The Police Officers Association took Church. They were blessed to have two Ted Daffan. His music will remain a legacy for him to court, and the group won. daughters, Delores and Walean. In 1973, after years to come. Pappy's kind soul and innova- Still, his popularity remained constant. the death of her husband, she married Mr. tive music will be sorely missed. The chief endeared himself by occasionally Raymond Edward Whyte and immediately in- riding with patrol officers, showing up when- Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in ever an officer was wounded, addressing his herited 2 stepdaughters and 15 grandchildren. paying tribute to the life of Leon ``Pappy'' officers by first name, and even trading a She now has a total of 21 grandchildren and Selph. Those of us who were fortunate coveted indoor parking spot for an outdoor 3 great-grandchildren. enough to have known him are truly blessed. space so he could interact with the ranks. In her capacity as a church and community f And Sanders was beloved for reaching out leader Lady Lyda has served in various ca- to the community, often attending meetings, pacities: Twenty-four years as the secretary of TRIBUTE TO MORRIS B. serving on boards and even playing Santa the Official Board and Church Conference; SCHNAPPER Claus for needy children. secretary for the Senior Citizens Club, Lay Sanders often revealed his soft side, ap- pearing tearful when announcing the recent Leadership, Church Anniversary Commission, HON. TOM LANTOS suicides of two officers or the arrests of two and the Virginia Club of Membership and OF CALIFORNIA others for on-duty burglaries. Evangelism. She also extended her reach into IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES As news of his impending departure spread politics by running for State Assembly in New Thursday, February 11, 1999 through the department and across the na- York State and has found time to travel exten- tion, regret over the loss of a chief known as sively in the United States and abroad includ- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my col- one of the country’s most avant-garde law ing; the Holy Land, England, Hawaii, Jamaica, leagues to join me in paying tribute to the enforcers was the prevailing reaction. memory of noted publisher and free press ad- ‘‘What Tony Gwynn means to the Padres is and Canada. what Jerry Sanders means to law enforce- Lady Lyda is very proud of her family and vocate Morris B. Schnapper. Mr. Schnapper, ment,’’ said District Attorney Paul Pfingst. their accomplishments. Her mother was a who passed away last week at the age of 86, ‘‘He is the same professional, day in and day teaching specialist and her father was a hard was a distinguished editor and author, a man out, and he has a great attitude, day in and worker and good provider. Her brothers and devoted to providing the American people with day out. And if they’re not in the lineup, sisters are all educated and involved in church more information about their government and there’s a big hole to fill.’’ activities. Lady Lyda's daughter serves as an its policies. The Public Affairs Press, founded Even Councilman George Stevens, who assistant administrator at Cabrini Hospital in by Schnapper, published more than 1,000 sometimes criticized the department for its books and 500 pamphlets during his years at interaction with African-Americans, raved New York. about Sanders. f its helm. However, his most meaningful legacy ‘‘He put the Police Department out with rests in his unflinching commitment to provid- the people and managed to implement pro- HONORING THE LIFE OF LEON ing information to the public, frequently in the grams that banned alcohol in parks and a 10 ‘‘PAPPY’’ SELPH face of intense resistance from government of- p.m. curfew without a lot of reaction from ficials. our young people of harassment or illegal HON. GENE GREEN In the 1950's, decades before the cloak of search complaints. Not one lawsuit. He get secrecy was lifted from many government ac- the credit for that,’’ Stevens said. OF TEXAS Sheriff Bill Kolender joined the chorus. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tions, Schnapper passionately fought to allow the unrestricted publishing of speeches by ‘‘I believe he is a leader not only within Thursday, February 11, 1999 this county and this state, but within the na- government officials. In arguing that these ad- tion when it comes to community involve- Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask all dresses merited wide distribution to a larger ment, problem-solving and compassion,’’ of my colleagues in Congress to join me in audience he used a wealth of methods, from said Kolender, who served as San Diego pol- paying tribute to an outstanding individual, the courts to the newspapers. He affirmed his icy chief for 15 years. Leon ``Pappy'' Selph. Pappy passed away ear- cause with a determination that originated out Sanders said it will be hard for him to lier this month after leading a long and distin- of his rise from a New York orphanage to one leave law enforcement. But his energy was waning and he wanted to move on before guished musical career. of Washington's most respected men of let- burnout set in. Pappy, one of Western swing's first genera- ters. Morris Schnapper's commitment to the ‘‘It’s going to be very weird to go to work tion, carved out a unique, important niche in First Amendment and his recognition of its in- without a badge and gun,’’ he said. ‘‘I think while maintaining close ties with herent protections deserve the appreciation