E214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 11, 1999 final vote is not enough to remove Clinton or lations to Waxahachie High School Principal ‘‘It was by far the most difficult decision of not. Before they are finished, they will have John Aune and Ennis High School Principal my life, bar none,’’ said a teary-eyed Sanders gone as far as they can by any means pos- Linda Pirtle and the faculty, parents, and stu- at a news conference at United Way head- quarters. The ever-affable chief, not usually sible (witnesses, furthering the independent in- dents of both schools for attaining this tremen- one for formality, prepared remarks and dis- vestigation into any other areas they can find dous recognition. tributed a videotaped message to his troops and lots and lots of press) to publicly destroy I hope the standard of excellence set by to avoid an emotional outburst. and defame Clinton. Waxahachie and Ennis High Schools will ‘‘I got a little choked up and it was hard to We have a problem, because with the 51% serve as an example to schools across Texas read,’’ Sanders said. ‘‘I think a lot of people that the Senate requires to pass each step of and across the country. These outstanding are in shock. There was a stunned silence the way short of the removal vote, the same schools are proof positive that if we hold our after I told them.’’ railroading that took place in the Congress will Sanders said his decision was not related students and educators to high standards, to health problems, although he has strug- take place in the Senate. My fear is that this they will achieve academic excellence. gled with digestive ailments and gout. can only be stopped by the next election but f ‘‘I look forward to spending time with my by then, the ensuing media storm and the Re- wife and daughters,’’ Sanders said, looking publican spin doctors will have swayed too A TRIBUTE TO SAN DIEGO POLICE at photos of Jamie, 12, and Lisa, 15, when many innocent American minds. They have CHIEF JERRY SANDERS they were young. ‘‘I haven’t seen a lot in be- clearly demonstrated their power today by tween.’’ Sanders’ decision was a well-kept secret. forcing a private citizen to be interviewed by HON. RANDY ‘‘DUKE’’ CUNNINGHAM He called mayor Susan Golding, City Man- the House Managers under threat of imprison- OF CALIFORNIA ager Michael Uberuaga and District Attor- ment according to her agreement with the OIC IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ney Paul Pfingst early yesterday to inform (who is now acting as a 14th House Man- them. He confided only in his wife and four ager). They will insist on closed door sessions Thursday, February 11, 1999 friends. for the debates regarding dismissal and wit- Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise Everybody else was in the dark. Capt. Adolfo Gonzales, who attended Sand- nesses and muscle the Senate in the very today to pay tribute to the career and record same way they succeeded in the Congress. ers’ morning meeting, said it took a moment of one of San Diego's finest citizens and my for the words to sink in. ‘‘I was stunned. The bottom line is, the Democrats want an up friend, Police Chief Jerry Sanders. On April When he asked if there were any questions, or down vote now, and the Republicans want 15, Chief Sanders will leave the San Diego you could hear a pin drop in the room. . . . to drag this on and keep the government in a Police Department to become President and We as captains didn’t have a clue.’’ state of paralysis so they can continue to hu- CEO of the United Way of San Diego County. Mayor Golding praised Sanders for bring- miliate the President. During his tenure, crime rates in San Diego ing the community and police officers closer They worked so hard at making war that have fallen to 25 year lows. This tremendous together. ‘‘He’s done an unqualifiedly superb job as police chief and I will miss him . . . He they forgot how to make peace. They drew achievement has been made possible only their line in the sand and it can't even be is genuinely loved within the community through the hard work, dedication to duty and and by members of the police force, and washed away by the tide of public outrage. personal sacrifice of the entire San Diego Po- that’s rare accomplishment,’’ Golding said. The longer this goes on, the more ground we lice Department. Sanders will not be able to collect retire- all lose, and still the President's approval rat- His community policing program is recog- ment until he turns 50 on July 14, 2000. At ings continue to rise. I say, NOW is the time nized as a model for American police forces, that time, he will be eligible to receive 65 to get over it and get back to doing our jobs. and for safer communities around the world. percent of his annual $128,004 salary—less than if he had remained with the department We have wasted too much time already in not He will take with him a remarkable ability to in- representing the interests of our public. We until age 50, said Lawrence Griffom, city re- tegrate local community volunteers into the tirement director. must make peace among the parties and the police force structure to help combat crime. As head of the United Way, Sanders will branches of our government and get back to And it is this trait which will ensure his suc- receive $165,000 a year. work on the PEOPLE'S agenda of education, cess in his new role at the United Way. Sanders was recruited by other police de- social security reform, Medicare, the Patient's I submit for the record an article from the partments before he was approached by Un- Bill of Rights, housing, anti-crime, and other January 13, 1999, San Diego Union Tribune tied Way in October. He interviewed for the job in December and was officially offered issues that are important to the people who which further describes Chief Sanders' out- put us here to serve them. the position yesterday. The chance to con- standing achievements. tinue working with the community outside f While Chief Sanders will be sorely missed of law enforcement was ‘‘an opportunity I CONGRATULATIONS TO at our Police Department, all citizens of San couldn’t pass up,’’ he said. Diego should take comfort that he will con- City Manager Uberuaga was already pre- WAXAHACHIE HIGH SCHOOL AND paring yesterday to select a recruiting firm ENNIS HIGH SCHOOL tinue to use his remarkable talents to better our community. to conduct a national search for Sanders’ re- placement, though he and Golding said mem- I want to thank Chief Sanders for his service bers of the department are encouraged to HON. MARTIN FROST to our fine city, and wish the best of success OF TEXAS apply. The city manager will make a rec- in meeting his new opportunity to continue IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ommendation to the City Council, which serving our community through the United must confirm the selection. Thursday, February 11, 1999 Way. Among the most likely contenders for the job of overseeing 2,058 sworn officers and Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to [From the San Diego Union Tribune, Jan. 13, congratulate Waxahachie High School in more than 1,000 civilians and reserve officers 1999] are assistant chiefs George Saldamando and Waxahachie, Texas and Ennis High School in SAN DIEGO POLICE CHIEF WILL BE STEPPING Rulette Armstead, who competed with Sand- Ennis, Texas. Both of these schools were re- DOWN ers for the post in 1993, and David Bejarano, cently recognized by U.S. News & World Re- HE’LL BECOME LEADER OF UNITED WAY HERE considered by many in the department to be port magazine as two of the top 96 high (By Kelly Thornton) a front-runner. schools in the entire country. I am pleased to Bejarano coordinated security for the 1996 It was a nagging voice inside Jerry Sand- Republican National Convention, the 1998 represent these excellent schools in Congress. ers, telling him he had lost too much time Waxahachie and Ennis each met the maga- Super Bowl and the recent World Series. with his young daughters to 75-hour work Whoever is chosen will have big shoes to zine's rigorous criteria for ``outstanding'' weeks and phone calls in the middle of the fill. schools. The magazine found that outstanding night. Under Sanders’ tenure, crime rates fell to schools share several characteristics, includ- Sanders, San Diego’s beloved and nation- their lowest levels in 25 years, mirroring a ing a challenging core curriculum, high expec- ally renowned police chief for almost six nationwide trend. The ranks of volunteers tations of the students, highly qualified teach- years, announced his retirement yesterday swelled to unprecedented levels. The entire ers, effective training for new teachers, strong to stunned colleagues during an emotional beat system was restructured so that areas academic standards and expectations, strong meeting at police headquarters. are patrolled as 21 communities, rather than The 48-year-old chief, who joined the de- 68 arbitrarily drawn sections. parental involvement and support, teachers partment 26 years ago and at 42 became the But Sanders’ legacy will be his work as a and administrators who know their students department’s youngest top cop, said he will pioneer of community-oriented policing, the well, and high levels of student attendance. step down April 15 to become president and philosophy that pairs residents with officers Both of these North Texas high schools rep- chief executive officer of United Way of San and other city agencies, such as code en- resent the best in public education. Congratu- Diego County. forces, to fight crime. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E215 Because Sanders implemented this strat- what I feel is a tremendous sense of sadness his hometown of Houston, Texas. 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 Floyd Tillman, Moon Mullican, 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 country music while maintaining close ties with herent protections deserve the appreciation