"More than anything, I
am a product of my parents' raising. My parents, Tom and Mae, were
always involved in my older brother Tommy's life and in mine. Their
impact on me took on new significance when my father passed away this
summer. The many lessons my parents taught me have clearly been the
guide in my life."
Give
us an example of those early lessons that have stuck with you.
"There were so
many, either taught deliberately or by example. My dad said,
'Son, learn to drive a nail, and you can survive.' My mom added:
Learn how to cook. They were right, of course. I learned to do
both. [Phil was in fact cooking chicken at the time of this
interview.]
"I try to live
those practical life lessons my parents taught me every day and
hope to pass them along to my three boys. Robin and I strive to
be as involved in our children's lives as our parents were in
ours. They provided us a great example.
"Of course,
being the younger brother taught me some important lessons as
well. Tommy liked to punch me every time I walked by when
we were growing up, so I learned to move quick and be tough. You
can't get any better training for politics!" (back
to top)
You
say family comes first for you and Robin. Describe a typical
family day in the Bissett home.
"I'm up at 5
a.m. every day, no matter what day it is. While it's quiet, I
check my mail and e-mail, read the newspapers and plan my day.
"If it's a
school day, we have a routine. Either Robin or I make breakfast,
or the kids make it themselves. Then we run down the checklist
that's going to carry everybody through for the day: Do the kids
have everything they need for school? Are they prepared for
their after-school activities? The same kinds of things lots of
families in this county go through.
"Once Cody gets
on the bus to Central Middle School, my own day starts. When the
kids come back home, the household gears back up again around
their needs. After 18 years of marriage, Robin and I are an
effective team. The kids know that homework comes first. Nothing
else takes place until that's done right. Then we focus on
activities, whether that's getting them to football practice or
having Cameron's friends over for band rehearsal. Our house is
the house where all the kids congregate. We entertain them, we
feed them. So much food moves through this household . . . For
them, it's quantity first, then quality.
"When we have a
family night at home, we rent a movie, play cards. It's about
being together and interacting. And even with three boys going
off in three different directions, we try as often as possible
to sit down together at the dinner table. That's important
sharing time: who did what, what's coming up. We get it all out
at the table. Like a lot of local families, our energies are
dedicated to keeping our kids happy and healthy and able to
succeed." (back to top)
Sounds
like your teenagers keep you busy. How would you describe your
boys?
"They're well
rounded kids – with very different interests. I'm happy to see
that they're starting to show some real responsibility in their
lives.
"Cameron is 16.
He's the lead singer and guitarist for his high school band,
Champagne, which won the 2004 Battle of the Bands competition at
South River High School and placed 4th in the
county-wide competition. I'm proud that the band has put on
several benefits to raise money for the homeless and for cancer
research. He's also a budding chef. He's even catered events. He
just got his learner's permit, which has started a whole new set
of worries for Robin and me. Before I had children, I had a full
head of hair!
Cameron continues to cook up crowd pleasers.
Corey always brings home the catch of the day.
"Corey, age 14,
is our outdoorsman. I'd call him a professional-level
fisherman. He's always out on the bay fishing or crabbing.
He bought his own boat with the money he saved up delivering
the local newspaper. He gets it honest: his grandfathers
back several generations on my mother's side were Chesapeake
Bay watermen.
"Cody is 12, and
he's the athlete of the family. He's as fast as they come.
When I coached soccer, when Cody was just starting out, we had
to be at three different fields at one time. To solve that
problem, we bumped him up to play at Corey's age level. That
sharpened his skills significantly. Two years ago he switched
over to football and baseball. Currently he plays fullback and
linebacker for the South River Gators in the Davidsonville
Recreation League." (back to top)
Cody (#28) excels in the center of the action.
You
try to be a role model for your kids. Who influenced you the
most in life?
"Number one --
my parents for the base they gave me. But also my teachers and
coaches at Southern High School in the early 70s probably had
the greatest influence, particularly my wrestling coach Alan
Hunt and Charlie Skipper, my soccer coach.
"The lessons
they taught us on the field about doing the best you can have
stuck with me all my life. I remember Mr. Hunt saying, ' Life is
tough, Phil, and wrestling is similar to life. You either win or
you don't based on your individual output. There are no
excuses.' I've tried to live by those words of wisdom.
"I also remember
his lessons on personal conduct. Once, I remember losing to a
boy from Northeast High School. I had beaten him the year
before, but that year, he beat me by two points, and I would not
shake his hand after the match. Coach Hunt took me to the locker
room, where let's just say I got a stern talking-to. I was the
team captain, but he took me out of action for a couple of
weeks. It was a great life lesson." (back to top)
More Talking with Phil:
