PA Notes in 9th ed of Congress Reconsidered

The 9th edition of Congress Reconsidered, edited by Lawrence D. Dodd and Brice I. Oppenheimer, was recently published by CQ Press, 2009.

There is some interesting PA trivia in it. Have a read:

In "The Whip Systems of Congress," by C. Lawrence Evans and Claire E. Grandy (189-216), we find on p. 192:

In keeping with longstanding party practice, the regional whips were elected by the Democratic memberships from their region. For example, during the 110th congress, Patrick Murphy, D-Pa, was one of two regional whips for Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky, and Hilda Solis, D-Calif, was a regional whip for the southern portion of California. The regional whips were responsible for canvassing the members within their geographic area."

This chapter also mentions former Pa Congressman Robert Walker.

From Kathryn Pearson and Eric Schickler, “The Transition to Democratic Leadership in a Polarized House,” p. 182

Although Tom Cole only arrived in Congress in 2003, he already had years of political experience, including a sting as the executive director of the NRCC. That experience, combined with his prolific fund raising in the 2006 cycle, helped him defeat Pete Sessions, Texas, and Phil English, Pa, in the race to chair the NRCC at the start of the 110th congress.

Three chapters mention Nancy Pelosi’s support of John Murtha for Majority Leader.

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill” writes “Navigating Congressional Policy Processes: the Inside Perspective on How Laws are Made,” pp. 337-360.

On p. 344 we find this tidbit:

“And you never know what other ways you can make a connection to colleagues. The year before I was elected, I got married in my wife’s hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and that helped me establish a relationship with Rep. John Murtha, D-PA, who shares the same hometown.”