Tributes to Rep. John Peterson
Washington, DC – This past Friday, September 26, 2008, Members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation took to the House Floor to share their memories of serving with U.S. Representative John E. Peterson (R-Pa.), and to pay tribute to his twelve years of service in Washington and his nineteen years of service as a state official in Harrisburg.
Led by Representative Phil English (R-Erie), the dean of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation, Representatives Bill Shuster (R-Altoona), Jim Gerlach (R- Exton), Charles Dent (R-Lehigh Valley), and Jason Altmire (D-Aliquippa) expressed their friendship, gratitude and sorrow that Rep. Peterson has decided not to seek reelection and retire from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Peterson, who is considered an expert by his peers on energy, rural healthcare, technical education, and rural development, served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee for ten years and was the co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus.
While Peterson has a long list of accomplishments throughout his career, some would consider his most recent legislative undertakings the most striking. A tireless advocate of securing our nation’s energy future through increased domestic production – not foreign dependence – Peterson has fought for seven years to repeal the federal prohibition on offshore energy production. The 26-year old moratoria expired October 1, 2008 – a feat largely accredited to Peterson’s work.
On the issue of rural development, it was Peterson’s leadership and relentless voice that served as the catalyst for keeping I-80 toll free. This monumental challenge pitted Peterson, Congressman English, their constituents, and the businesses along the I-80 corridor against the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania State Senate and House Leadership, and the Commonwealth’s highest paid lobbyists. On September 11, 2008, Peterson and the citizens of Pennsylvania declared victory when the Federal Highway Administration denied Pennsylvania’s I-80 tolling application.
While these are two of Peterson’s most recent accomplishments, he was as tough and as relentless throughout his career on every issue that affected his constituents. Following are video clips and excerpts from the tribute:
Rep. Phil English(R-Erie)
“John Peterson has decided to retire this year…But he leaves behind him a truly remarkable record as a public servant, as someone who’s made his mark first in the state legislature and now in this body…It has been a great privilege to serve with John Peterson and my distinguished colleague from Pennsylvania will very much be missed. Certainly, if there were ever a solution to the energy crisis, it would be tap to his energy and try to channel it to others in this body.”
“I, myself, have never seen my colleague more engaged than on the issue of tolling interstate 80. I partnered with John Peterson last year when this issue came up in this body… I had the privilege of seeing firsthand John Peterson’s advocacy and his energy as he aggressively engaged both state officials and ultimately our U.S. Department of Transportation. I must say, the fact that we have recently received a decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation that effectively bars the tolling of interstate 80 is a great tribute to his advocacy and his ability to work with people like me and others to make the case.”
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Exton)
“It’s been my honor to work with John over the years in promoting the interests of our constituencies and the good of this nation. His service has been an inspiration and it has been my pleasure to witness this man in action over the years…Time after time, he has promoted the interests and well-being of his constituency, the largest and most rural of all the districts in Pennsylvania.”
“He accomplished throughout this effort…job creation and economic development strategies, improved access to affordable health care and improve the quality of life for his constituents. His tireless devotion to the residents of the Fifth Congressional District is a glimpse of his compassion of his devotion to the country.”
“John, thank you for your tireless service, you will be missed.”
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Aliquippa)
“[John] is somebody who spent his entire career talking about energy, especially natural gas and oil drilling. He is somebody who talked continuously about the need to expand our offshore drilling for both oil and natural gas and can tell you all the reasons why, and all the history therein, and he was somebody who was successful in getting that done. Beginning next Wednesday, a moratorium that was in place for 27 years on oil and natural gas drilling is expiring…and nobody in this house can take more credit for that then john Peterson. That is a whale of an accomplishment to end your career on.”
“I was always amazed at John Peterson’s ability to demonstrate expertise on any subject that came up…and what I would say to the constituents of the Fifth District in Pennsylvania…you are losing a great representative. He’s somebody who, as a Democrat, I did not always agree with…but there’s nobody in this Congress who cared more about their district, who cared more about this institution than John Peterson. I can guarantee the people of the fifth district there is nobody going home with more accomplishments at the end of their term than John Peterson.”
Rep. Charles Dent (R-Lehigh Valley)
“John, in Washington, is perhaps best known for his advocacy on the issue of outer coastal shelf exploration for energy…he talked about the issue of American exploration for energy when perhaps it wasn’t as popular. But he would come down to this floor with charts and he would talk about the need to produce energy in America and he was passionate about it. During this congress, the outer coastal shelf has taken a high profile, and I know that because of [John’s] leadership, is why we saw the moratorium on drilling lifted…that’s a great accomplishment for John.”
“He was one of the most tenacious members. He would take up an issue and there was no one who has more fierce for his cause than John Peterson…we saw that this year with respect to the proposed tolling for Interstate 80.”
“John Peterson has had such a good year. I know I will miss him. He has been a great friend to me…since our legislative days in Harrisburg. I want to thank John Peterson for his advocacy, for his friendship, and for his leadership on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Altoona)
“Anybody you talk to, whether it’s here in Washington or in Harrisburg, talks about John’s hard work and his tenacity. He’s one of those guys that…when he sinks his teeth into something, he doesn’t let go. He fights and he fights and he fights. His career has been an example of that… he is one of the hardest working members of the House of Representatives.
“I remember John, before I came to congress, on television, going to Russia, fighting to get the release of one of his constituents who was arrested because the Russians, at the time, thought he was a spy. It was John Peterson on national television in Russia pounding and fighting to make sure his constituent was released. You know, John Peterson, with that tenacity, with that hard work was able to do that. That family is grateful to him. The people of his district are grateful for his hard work and his expertise.”
“John really understood the issues of rural America. His role as the Chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus for a number of years, he was out there always fighting for those issues whether it was health care, whether it was education, economic development, John Peterson understood it as well or better than any member of congress…he is going to be missed significantly.”
Led by Representative Phil English (R-Erie), the dean of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation, Representatives Bill Shuster (R-Altoona), Jim Gerlach (R- Exton), Charles Dent (R-Lehigh Valley), and Jason Altmire (D-Aliquippa) expressed their friendship, gratitude and sorrow that Rep. Peterson has decided not to seek reelection and retire from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Peterson, who is considered an expert by his peers on energy, rural healthcare, technical education, and rural development, served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee for ten years and was the co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus.
While Peterson has a long list of accomplishments throughout his career, some would consider his most recent legislative undertakings the most striking. A tireless advocate of securing our nation’s energy future through increased domestic production – not foreign dependence – Peterson has fought for seven years to repeal the federal prohibition on offshore energy production. The 26-year old moratoria expired October 1, 2008 – a feat largely accredited to Peterson’s work.
On the issue of rural development, it was Peterson’s leadership and relentless voice that served as the catalyst for keeping I-80 toll free. This monumental challenge pitted Peterson, Congressman English, their constituents, and the businesses along the I-80 corridor against the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania State Senate and House Leadership, and the Commonwealth’s highest paid lobbyists. On September 11, 2008, Peterson and the citizens of Pennsylvania declared victory when the Federal Highway Administration denied Pennsylvania’s I-80 tolling application.
While these are two of Peterson’s most recent accomplishments, he was as tough and as relentless throughout his career on every issue that affected his constituents. Following are video clips and excerpts from the tribute:
Rep. Phil English(R-Erie)
“John Peterson has decided to retire this year…But he leaves behind him a truly remarkable record as a public servant, as someone who’s made his mark first in the state legislature and now in this body…It has been a great privilege to serve with John Peterson and my distinguished colleague from Pennsylvania will very much be missed. Certainly, if there were ever a solution to the energy crisis, it would be tap to his energy and try to channel it to others in this body.”
“I, myself, have never seen my colleague more engaged than on the issue of tolling interstate 80. I partnered with John Peterson last year when this issue came up in this body… I had the privilege of seeing firsthand John Peterson’s advocacy and his energy as he aggressively engaged both state officials and ultimately our U.S. Department of Transportation. I must say, the fact that we have recently received a decision from the U.S. Department of Transportation that effectively bars the tolling of interstate 80 is a great tribute to his advocacy and his ability to work with people like me and others to make the case.”
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Exton)
“It’s been my honor to work with John over the years in promoting the interests of our constituencies and the good of this nation. His service has been an inspiration and it has been my pleasure to witness this man in action over the years…Time after time, he has promoted the interests and well-being of his constituency, the largest and most rural of all the districts in Pennsylvania.”
“He accomplished throughout this effort…job creation and economic development strategies, improved access to affordable health care and improve the quality of life for his constituents. His tireless devotion to the residents of the Fifth Congressional District is a glimpse of his compassion of his devotion to the country.”
“John, thank you for your tireless service, you will be missed.”
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Aliquippa)
“[John] is somebody who spent his entire career talking about energy, especially natural gas and oil drilling. He is somebody who talked continuously about the need to expand our offshore drilling for both oil and natural gas and can tell you all the reasons why, and all the history therein, and he was somebody who was successful in getting that done. Beginning next Wednesday, a moratorium that was in place for 27 years on oil and natural gas drilling is expiring…and nobody in this house can take more credit for that then john Peterson. That is a whale of an accomplishment to end your career on.”
“I was always amazed at John Peterson’s ability to demonstrate expertise on any subject that came up…and what I would say to the constituents of the Fifth District in Pennsylvania…you are losing a great representative. He’s somebody who, as a Democrat, I did not always agree with…but there’s nobody in this Congress who cared more about their district, who cared more about this institution than John Peterson. I can guarantee the people of the fifth district there is nobody going home with more accomplishments at the end of their term than John Peterson.”
Rep. Charles Dent (R-Lehigh Valley)
“John, in Washington, is perhaps best known for his advocacy on the issue of outer coastal shelf exploration for energy…he talked about the issue of American exploration for energy when perhaps it wasn’t as popular. But he would come down to this floor with charts and he would talk about the need to produce energy in America and he was passionate about it. During this congress, the outer coastal shelf has taken a high profile, and I know that because of [John’s] leadership, is why we saw the moratorium on drilling lifted…that’s a great accomplishment for John.”
“He was one of the most tenacious members. He would take up an issue and there was no one who has more fierce for his cause than John Peterson…we saw that this year with respect to the proposed tolling for Interstate 80.”
“John Peterson has had such a good year. I know I will miss him. He has been a great friend to me…since our legislative days in Harrisburg. I want to thank John Peterson for his advocacy, for his friendship, and for his leadership on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Altoona)
“Anybody you talk to, whether it’s here in Washington or in Harrisburg, talks about John’s hard work and his tenacity. He’s one of those guys that…when he sinks his teeth into something, he doesn’t let go. He fights and he fights and he fights. His career has been an example of that… he is one of the hardest working members of the House of Representatives.
“I remember John, before I came to congress, on television, going to Russia, fighting to get the release of one of his constituents who was arrested because the Russians, at the time, thought he was a spy. It was John Peterson on national television in Russia pounding and fighting to make sure his constituent was released. You know, John Peterson, with that tenacity, with that hard work was able to do that. That family is grateful to him. The people of his district are grateful for his hard work and his expertise.”
“John really understood the issues of rural America. His role as the Chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus for a number of years, he was out there always fighting for those issues whether it was health care, whether it was education, economic development, John Peterson understood it as well or better than any member of congress…he is going to be missed significantly.”
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