William Coyne, retired long time congressman from Pittsburgh, dies

[Divernan]

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

William Coyne, 77, the quiet Democratic congressman who represented the Pittsburgh area for 22 years, from 1980 to 2003, has died.

Mr. Coyne, an Oakland resident, died early this morning of complications from a fall that occurred two months ago, according to Jamie Rooney, his longtime executive assistant.

“Bill was in good health until he fell and hit his head, very good shape,” said Mr. Rooney.

Often described as affable, but quiet and self-effacing, Mr. Coyne was an old-fashioned liberal who had a number of behind-the-scenes successes on the House Ways and Means Committee, including earned income tax credits for the poor and industrial development bonds for cities. He also had an admirable record of constituent service.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2013/11/03/William-Coyne-retired-ling-time-congressman-from-Pittsburgh-dies/stories/201311030207

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I had the pleasure of meeting him several times while he was in office. He was an old-fashioned liberal Democrat in the finest sense - a kind man and a gentle man, without a whiff of the entitlement, ego or greed of too many of today's politicians. The very best kind of public servant. Rest in Peace, Congressman Coyne. You were a good man and you led a good life.

[Divernan]

1. We will not see his like again, thanks to Citizens United & gerrymandering.

Rep. William Coyne didn't have legislation that he bragged of, federal facilities with his name on them or monuments in Oakland to more than two decades of service in representing Pittsburgh in Washington.

Instead, friends say, he had a reputation for being a proud, quiet and tireless advocate, getting things done for his city.

“The word that is often used to describe him is ‘quiet,' ” said his nephew, Dan Coyne of Highland Park. “But that gave a little bit of a false impression of how passionate he was.”

Former Pittsburgh Mayor, Tom Murphy said, “He never adopted that Washington disconnect that sometimes happens to elected officials. He remained humble and kept the values that he grew up with,” said Murphy.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4998992-74/coyne-oakland-doyle#ixzz2jftnEWl1
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[Divernan]

2. He didn't retire to collect $$$ on corporate boards or whore for Big Fracking-lookin' at you Rendel

“Back in Pittsburgh, everybody knew Billy Coyne, but he wasn't a media hound,” said Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, who served his first eight years in Congress alongside Coyne before their districts were combined.

On the House Ways and Means Committee, Coyne secured funding for the East Busway, initiated tax credits for cleaning up brownfields and promoted the creation of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, while supporting bills promoting civil rights, workers rights and Internal Revenue Service reform, said Coleman Conroy, Coyne's chief of staff for his entire time in Congress.

The Software Engineering Institute in Oakland was the result of cooperation between Coyne and the late Republican Sen. John Heinz, but he wouldn't claim credit for legislation or big projects in his district, Doyle said.

Coyne spent his retirement under the radar. He traveled back and forth several times to Ireland, where the family had relatives and an old farm, Dan Coyne said.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4998992-74/coyne-oakland-doyle#ixzz2jfuf3GX6
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[gopiscrap]

3. RIP

[nomorenomore08]

4. For a split-second I thought Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips had died.

Had to do a bit of a double take there.