E724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 3, 2001 been honored throughout the New York Metro- done 20 years of hard time,’’ Sen. Burton form Movement. She has even been a can- politan area, in Washington and Tel Aviv. said. ‘‘I guess at the time there weren’t didate, running in a special election for the Munr is also a forward-thinking person who many jobs, so he took it. He just loved it, State of Alabama House of Representatives. and the cons loved him.’’ However, Mary’s commitment to her com- never loses sight of the future: our young peo- When Mr. Burton retired from the prison ple. Born into a culture where he did not have in 1976, members from both militant groups munity is not limited to the political arena. She the opportunity to receive a Jewish education, told him there was a ‘‘hit’’ out on him. But played a pivotal role in helping to organize he has been a tireless advocate to make sure this was a good thing, he was informed: Any- Hope Place, now Crisis Services, serving other children have the chance to learn about one threatening or harming Mr. Burton abused women and families. She has also their Jewish heritage. would face their wrath. He was protected. contributed her time and manifold talents to Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate my ‘‘He connected with the guys, and they Trinity United Methodist Church, the Wesley dear friend Munr Kazmir, on the occasion of connected with him,’’ said Bill O’Brien of Foundation and the American Association of San Francisco, a longtime friend. ‘‘It was a University Women. this well deserved tribute from the Rabbinical passion for him. He wanted them to learn; It College of America, and wish him long life, I believe this is a fitting honor for one who really wasn’t about having a job.’’ has given so much to the betterment of our good health and happiness in the years to Mr. Burton was a lifelong Democrat and come. founding member of the San Francisco community and our nation. I commend Mary for her lifetime of achievement and I want to f Democratic League. He was co-chairman of the voter registration efforts for the Cali- express my sincere gratitude for her bold work STATEMENT IN HONOR OF THE fornia Democratic Party from 1962 to 1982. for the Democratic Party and the patriotic LATE ROBERT E. BURTON At the time of his death, Mr. Burton was a ideals she believes in. commissioner on the Workers’ Compensation f Appeals Board and a member of the City Col- HON. NANCY PELOSI lege of San Francisco Board of Trustees. PERSONAL EXPLANATION OF CALIFORNIA He also had served for 15 years on the pris- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on Industry Board and on two parole boards for the state. Former Gov. Jerry Brown ap- HON. WM. LACY CLAY Thursday, May 3, 2001 pointed him to the adult parole board in 1976, OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay my after two commissioners were removed for voting to release Robert Kennedy’s killer, Thursday, May 3, 2001 final respects to Robert E. Burton. Bob’s fam- Sirhan Sirhan. ily and friends will gather on Friday to remem- Friends said Mr. Burton loved the San Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, this morning I was ber him, and it is with great sadness and deep Francisco Giants, gambling and playing testifying before the Senate Government Af- respect that I share with my colleagues the bridge. Ken Harrington of San Francisco, a fairs Committee on the need for election re- following words from his obituary in the San longtime friend, said he ‘‘didn’t know a sin- form and I was unable to reach the House Francisco Chronicle: gle person when you mentioned Bob Burton floor in time for rollcall vote No. 97, a motion Robert E. Burton, a prison teacher, public who didn’t get a smile on their face.’’ to adjourn. I would like to state that I intended servant, sailor and middle brother in San ‘‘He was, at least, the most outwardly com- to support this motion and would have voted Francisco’s most powerful political dynasty, passionate of the three brothers,’’ Har- ‘yea.’ died Sunday at California Pacific Medical rington said. ‘‘John doesn’t want anyone to Also, I would like to take this opportunity to Center at the age of 72. know his soft spots, but Bob kind of wore it share my Senate testimony with my col- From the time Mr. Burton entered the on his sleeve.’’ Mr. Burton is survived by his brother, Sen. leagues in the House. Navy at the close of World War II, he almost John Burton, and a niece, San Francisco STATEMENT TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON never stopped working for the public. He was Public Defender Kimiko Burton-Cruz. His GOVERNMENT REFORM, MAY 3, 2001 a merchant seaman, a teacher at San Quen- wife of more than four decades, Shirley Bur- tin prison for nearly two decades and a mem- Mr. Chairman, Senator LIEBERMAN and ton, preceded him in death. ber of various state boards and commissions. Distinguished members of the Committee. But among the three Burton brothers who Bob Burton was a man of the people. He Thank you for allowing me this opportunity shaped California politics for several dec- never asked for recognition or reward for his to detail the election problems that occurred ades, he was the least publicly visible and work and was rarely in the public eye, but his in the City of St. Louis during the November the least involved in the machinery of poli- 2000 Presidential Elections and to add my life touched the lives of so many others. Bob voice to those calling for meaningful and tics. joined his brothers Phillip and John in typifying Mr. Burton’s older brother, Phillip Burton, comprehensive election reform. Last November’s general election in the was a powerful U.S. representative and leg- the true Burton tradition of helping the dis- city of St. Louis exposed a voting system endary political tactician who died in 1983. advantaged. It is my honor to pay tribute to that is riddled with serious election proce- His younger brother—whom Mr. Burton still Bob and to express my appreciation for his life dural mistakes; major deficiencies in poll called ‘‘the kid’’ even into his 60s—is Senate of service and for his friendship. My thoughts worker training; obsolete and inadequate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San and prayers are with his brother, John, and equipment; and gross errors in maintaining Francisco, the state’s most powerful law- niece, Kimi. accurate voter registers that resulted in the maker. f disenfranchisement of thousands of qualified ‘‘Everyone used to say he was the nice voters in my district. brother,’’ Sen. Burton said yesterday. ‘‘And I TRIBUTE TO MARY HOLDSAMBECK These factors led to an election conducted think innately he was the smartest of the OF HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA amid widespread voter chaos at polling three of us.’’ places throughout the city—the result of a Mr. Burton was born in 1928 and lived much record voter turnout and the arbitrary and of his life in the same Sloat Boulevard house HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR. capricious removal—by the St. Louis Board in which he was raised. But friends said his OF ALABAMA of Elections—of over 50,000 qualified voters greatest memory was somewhere else: a sail- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from the city’s active voter register. ing trip across the Pacific in a 30-foot boat, Thursday, May 3, 2001 When these voters—most of whom were Af- which he took with three friends after he left rican American—arrived at the polls to cast the Navy in 1947. Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to their votes, they were told by election offi- ‘‘He was fearless,’’ Sen Burton said. ‘‘It recognize the accomplishments and honor cials they were not on the active voter reg- was a hell of an adventure.’’ ister and that they would not be allowed to When he returned from Tahiti, Mr. Burton Mrs. Mary Holdsambeck on the receipt of the Madison County Democratic Women’s Divi- vote at their normal voting precinct. joined the merchant marine as an able-bod- Due to inadequate communication between ied seaman, then got a degree in history sion, ‘‘Joan Carpenter Cashin Lifetime polling precincts and the Central Election from San Francisco State College when he Achievement Award.’’ Today’s recognition office, election workers were unable to verify decided to settle back in the city. sheds light on the years of good deeds Mary the eligibility of these voters. Mr. Burton then took a job teaching in the has accomplished. Additionally, poll workers had not received loneliest, most dangerous place in the She has been a vital leader in the Madison training for dealing with these situations, so state—the bowels of San Quentin State Pris- County Democratic Women since she moved they ultimately directed all of the affected on. It was there that he often divided his to Huntsville. She has served two terms as voters to go to the Central Election Board time between African American militants office downtown to verify their status. and white supremacists, teaching them how Chairman of the group and has been involved The resulting confusion at the Central to read and write. in state politics as a member of the State Coa- Election office led to a near riot as thou- ‘‘He would tell people stories and start lition for passing the Equal Rights Amendment sands of eligible voters attempted to cast with, ‘When I was in the joint,’ like he had and in the current Alabama Constitutional Re- their vote, some to no avail.
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