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BORN: Nov. 21, 1956, Philadelphia EDUCATION: Community College of Philadelphia, A.A., 1976; U. of Pennsylvania, M.A., 1986 FAMILY: Wife, Patricia Renfroe; three children RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Public official POLITICAL CAREER: Pennsylvania House, 1983-89; Pennsylvania Senate, 1989-94; U.S. House 1994- ADDRESS: 2043 Walnut Street, Philadelphia 19104. Tel.: 215-972-8067
Fattah swept the 1994 election with 84% of the vote--the widest margin of any new Congressman. In a majority African-American district, running against a Republican, he's favored to do it again. Popular in his district, Fattah was also elected whip of the Congressional Black Caucus.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NO NAFTA NR Welfare NO Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "There is a lot of concern about the flight of white male voters out of our party, but that overlooks [the] significant African-American vote out there that is being ignored."
LARRY MURPHY (R) District 2
BORN: June 15, 1963, Philadelphia EDUCATION: Bloomsburg U., B.A., 1985; Thomas Jefferson U., 1994- FAMILY: Wife, Kimberly; one child RELIGION: Christian MILITARY: Air Force Reserve, 1986- OCCUPATION: Scientific researcher POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 25246, Philadelphia 19119. Tel.: 215-242-3644
Energetic and passionate, Murphy calls himself a moderate Republican, but in this largely poor, African-American section of West Philly, his positions are controversial: tough love, hard work and no free lunch. Murphy, who was a foster child for a time, says the only way to get out of poverty is accountability. Parents have to be accountable for their kids; cops have to be accountable for community safety.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion NO Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Giving handouts doesn't empower people to basically act on their own. Handouts increase the dependency of our community."
ROBERT BORSKI (D) District 3 (Northeast Philadelphia)
BORN: Oct. 20, 1948, Philadelphia EDUCATION: U. of Baltimore, B.A., 1972 FAMILY: Wife, Karen Lloyd; five children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Stockbroker POLITICAL CAREER: Pennsylvania House, 1977-82; U.S. House, 1982- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 26846, Philadelphia 19134. Tel.: 215-335-9499
A savvy politician in this white, working-class district, Borski has been elected seven times, and this time his constituents will probably make it eight. He represents cultural conservatism--his abortion votes are in line with Catholic doctrine--popular in the Third and, as a ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, can influence job-producing federal funds for highways and mass transit.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO* Medical Leave yes (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)