TRIBUTE TO A LOCAL HERO, ROBERT VON DRASEK

On 2018-07-25, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO A LOCAL HERO, ROBERT VON DRASEK" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered education, crime and justice.

TRIBUTE TO A LOCAL HERO, ROBERT VON DRASEK

Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)] [House] [Pages H7162-H7163] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO A LOCAL HERO, ROBERT VON DRASEK The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis) for 5 minutes. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Von Drasek, as he is better known. Bob was the most dedicated, committed, and loyal Saul-Alinsky-trained organizer who I have ever known. Bob came to the south Austin community during a time of great turbulence. {time} 1030 The community was in the throes of a great transition from being 80 percent White to becoming 80 percent Black within a 10-year period of time. Blockbusting, panic peddling, redlining, disinvestment, and all manner of malfeasance were taking place. Police brutality and other forms of law enforcement misconduct were rampant. I met Bob during this period. It was also during this time that the Organization for a Better Austin, under the leadership of Gail Cincotta, was organized; the South Austin Coalition Community Council, SACCC, was formed with Bob as a lead organizer; and I decided to run for the city council. Over the years, I have followed Bob's work without exception. South Austin is practically an all African American community, except for a few merchants who never left the area, a few White citizens, school teachers, and policemen. Of course, Bob is White or Caucasian, and yet he won the hearts of the [[Page H7163]] community and the trust of the people. He has developed intimate relationships with many of the residents and, to many, he is like a member of their family. Through Bob's leadership, SACCC became known as the top grassroots community organization in the Chicagoland area. Bob was always a great strategist, but the members, like Mr. Ed Bailey, Mrs. Irene Norwood, Mrs. Lillian Drummond, and Mr. George Lawson, were the voices. Many people don't know it, but it was SACCC who led community reinvestment. It was SACCC who organized senior citizens. It was SACCC who led the fight for LIHEAP. It was SACCC who kept the Austin Bank on its toes. It was SACCC who united block clubs. It was SACCC who got people to join local school councils. And it was SACCC who got churches to open their doors for community meetings. I have been in buildings with Bob where there was no heat. I have been in homes where there was no food. I have been on streets where there were no lights. I have been with Bob in allies where there was no hope. I have been with Bob and families after their relatives were shot. Bob has worked to bring help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless. Bob VonDrasek, you are a good man, and I thank you and your family, your wife and children, for what you have meant to our community and to our world. True soldiers are always reluctant to come off the battlefield, but there comes a time when we must put away our swords and shields to practice war no more. When that time comes, Bob, just know that you have made a difference. When you came to south Austin, newspapers were writing that it would be the next big slum. They did not know you and they did not know the people of south Austin. South Austin is not a slum. It is a vibrant, forward-thinking, and forward-moving community. Bob, you have done the Master's work. You have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, brought hope to the hopeless, and help to the helpless. You have lifted spirits and you have taught people how to love, how to live, and how to work together. I close, Bob, by leaving these words with, and for, you. If when you give the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior is come, be not dismayed when men don't believe you, He understands, and will say, ``Well done.'' Oh, when I come to the end of my journey, weary of life and the battle is won, carrying the staff and the cross of redemption, He'll understand, and say, ``Well done.'' If when this life of labor is ended, and the reward of the race you have run, oh, the sweet rest prepared for faithful, will be His blest and final, ``Well done.'' But if you try and fail in your trying, hands sore and scarred from the work you've begun, take up your cross, run quickly to meet Him, He'll understand, He'll say, ``Well done.'' ____________________