[House Prints, 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
COMMITTEE PRINT
A Ceremony
Unveiling the Portrait
of
THE HONORABLE
DAN BURTON
A Representative in Congress from the Sixth District of Indiana
January 3, 1983-Present
Elected to Ninety-Seventh Congress and Succeeding Congresses
Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TONGRESS.#13
PROCEEDINGS
before the
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM
U.S. House of Representatives
September 27, 2000
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 2000
68-081
_______________________________________________________________________
A Ceremony
Unveiling the Portrait
of
THE HONORABLE
DAN BURTON
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM
U.S. House of Representatives
Wednesday, September 27, 2000
_____________________________________________________________________
[ iii ]
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THE PORTRAIT
The portrait of Mr. Burton rendered by artist Everett Raymond Kinstler.
The portrait is done in oil on canvas. It is framed in burled wood.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Born on June 21, 1938 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dan Burton attended
Shortridge High School, Indiana University, and Cincinnati Bible
Seminary. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves
from 1957-1962. He served in the Indiana State Senate 1969-1970 and
1981-1982, and in the Indiana House of Representatives 1967-1968
and 1977-1980.
First elected to Congress on November 2, 1982, Congressman Burton has
provided his constituents in the sixth district of Indiana with one
of the strongest voices in Congress for nearly two decades. He has
received special recognition from several highly respected
organizations for his voting record of fiscal responsibility,
including over forty awards for cutting wasteful Federal spending,
reducing taxes, and supporting and promoting small business and
free enterprise. As a member of the Human Rights Caucus, Dan Burton
has been an outspoken and tireless advocate for the protection of
Human Rights around the world, and has been one of the most active
members of Congress in the ongoing war on drugs.
On January 7, 1997, Congressman Dan Burton became Chairman of the
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, becoming the first
Hoosier Republican to chair a full committee in the House of
Representatives in more than sixty years.
The Committee on Government Reform serves as the chief investigative
committee of the House of Representatives, with authority to
conduct government-wide oversight. Under the leadership of Chairman
Burton, the committee has enjoyed an extremely productive four
years, moving closer to its goal of achieving a smaller, more
efficient, common-sense government.
Since Dan Burton assumed the Chairmanship, the committee and its eight
subcommittees have held more than 500 hearings, pursuing an active,
ambitious agenda to ensure the overall economy and efficiency of
government operations and activities. In addition to the
committee's oversight jurisdiction, it is also responsible for
matters relating to the Federal civil service, District of
Columbia, Federal procurement, Federal paperwork reduction, Census,
and the United States Postal Service.
THE ARTIST
Everett Raymond Kinstler
Born in New York City, Mr. Kinstler has established himself as one of
America's foremost portrait painters. Included in over 500
commissioned portraits are such well known subjects as Leonard
Bernstein, Tony Bennett, Placido Domingo, John Wayne, Tennessee
Williams, and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackman. Mr.
Kinstler has portrayed over 40 U.S. cabinet officers, more than any
artist in this country's history.
Five U.S. President's have posed for him: Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush,
and Clinton. Of those, the portraits of Presidents Ford and Reagan
are the official White House portraits.
He is an Academician, a member of the National Academy of Design
(N.A.), American Watercolor Society, and a member of the Hall of
Fame, Pastel Society of America.
In 1993, the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution,
acquired 50 original works by Mr. Kinstler. He is represented in
the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
PORTRAIT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Dirk Haire
P R O G R A M
2154 Rayburn House Office Building,
6:20 P.M., September 27, 2000
Master of Ceremonies:
Bill O'Neill
Invocation:
Father Daniel P. Coughlin
Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives
Remarks:
Ron Sarasin
President, Capitol Hill Historical Society
Unveiling of Portrait:
Burton Family Members
Introduction of the Artist Everett Raymond Kinstler
Bill O'Neill
Presentation of Portrait:
The Honorable Christopher Shays
Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security,
Veterans Affairs, and International Relations,
U.S. House of Representatives
Remarks:
The Honorable Dan Burton
Acceptance of the Portrait:
The Honorable John L. Mica
Chairman, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice,
Drug Policy, and Human Resources
Benediction:
Father Daniel P. Coughlin
Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives
Closing:
Bill O'Neill
Unveiling Ceremony of Portrait of
THE HONORABLE
DAN BURTON
Wednesday, September 27, 2000
House of Representatives,
Committee on Government Reform,
Washington, DC.
Mr. O'Neill. Good evening everyone. I would like to welcome you to the
unveiling of Congressman Dan Burton's official House portrait. My
name is Bill O'Neill, and I will be your master of ceremonies
tonight.
Right now I would like to introduce the House chaplain, Daniel Coughlin
to offer the invocation.
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Chairman Burton and Master of Ceremonies Bill O'Neill
INVOCATION BY REVEREND DANIEL P. COUGHLIN
Chaplin of the House of Representatives
Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin. Let us pray.
Reform is never easy, yet reform keeps us healthy, strong and
spiritually attuned. Almighty God, as we gather this evening, we
bless you and thank you for the life and work of the Honorable Dan
Burton. We are aware that you call all of us to be continually
reformed by your spirit. We are grateful to you, oh Lord, for the
tireless energy that Dan Burton has brought as Chairman of the
Committee on Government Reform, and in serving the people of the
State of Indiana and this Nation. Whether he is carefully
discerning his decisions on voting, or is leading the way to
improve fiscal responsibility or strategic reform, we know it is
you who guide him.
May your spirit be with us this evening and lead all of us more deeply
to reform and belief so that all may know that the kingdom of God
is at hand. We pray to you, Lord of life and love, now and forever.
Amen.
Mr. O'Neill. And now I would like to introduce the president of the
Capitol Hill Historical Society, former Congressman Ron Sarasin
from Connecticut.
REMARKS OF RON SARASIN
President, Capitol Hill Historical Society
Mr. Sarasin. Thank you. The United States Capitol Historical Society,
founded in 1962, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational
organization chartered by the Congress to enhance and perpetuate
the history and the heritage of the Capitol, its institutions, and
the individuals who have served here. Some of our activities are
education tours and programs, scholarly symposia and publications,
enhancement of the Capitol's collection of art and artifacts, and
research on the public careers of those who have served in this
body.
Many are not aware that the society, along with a contribution from the
DAR, commissioned and paid for the painting of the Cox corridors on
the House side of the Capitol. We are also pleased to have played a
small role raising funds for the portrait of Government Reform
Committee Chairman Dan Burton by providing accounting and financial
controls to comply with the rules and regulations of the IRS. We
have performed this function for most of the portraits of
distinguished members for many years, and I also wish to join with
all of your friends here tonight in extending our congratulations
and best wishes to you, Chairman Dan Burton, on this very, very
memorable occasion.
Mr. O'Neill. Now we are ready to officially unveil the portrait. Mrs.
Burton, please pull the cord.
[Applause.]
[Portrait unveiled.]
Mr. O'Neill. Next on our program, I would like to introduce our artist,
Everett Raymond Kinstler.
INTRODUCTION OF ARTIST EVERETT RAYMOND KINSTLER
Mr. Kinstler. Well, I thank you all. The Congressman and the entire
Burton family, ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests. I
will just say one or two things if I may.
This is the fifth portrait that I know of that I have painted for the
House of Representatives. One was Gerald Ford. Some of you may
remember Les Arends, which was 25 years ago, and then Bud Shuster,
now Dan Burton. I don't know if Mark Udall is here, but I spoke to
him in Colorado and told him how much he looked like his father. He
said he didn't realize I had painted Mo Udall's portrait, which I
did in 1985. I had a call from Mo and he said Cliff Robertson, the
actor who had won the Academy Award for Charlie was going to
introduce me. I don't know where the room was, but it was an
enormous room. Tip O'Neill and Vice President Bush were there. They
had 600 to 800 people, and Cliff Robertson got up and spoke about
me to the point where I was embarrassed. He said I was not only a
great portrait painter, but probably one of the greatest painters
in the history of art, and he said now I want to introduce--and he
couldn't think of my name. So I want to thank you. This is a great
improvement.
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Chairman Burton and the portrait's artist, Everett Raymond Kinstler
Mr. O'Neill. Now I would like to introduce Congressman Chris Shays, who
is going to present this portrait on behalf of the committee to the
House of Representatives.
PRESENTATION OF PORTRAIT BY HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS
Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and
International Relations
Mr. Shays. Chairman Burton and his lovely wife, and their family, and
members from both Chambers, current and former, and staff and
guests. It is great to have you here.
It is at once ennobling and humbling to be part of a House tradition
which recognizes one of our own, while reminding us that we work
under the gaze of men and women who have sustained this institution
for more than two centuries. For me, this portrait marks more than
Dan Burton's tenure. It commemorates his temperament for
leadership, the strength and dedication that make me proud to call
him my chairman and my friend, and our chairman and our friend.
Personally, I am impressed that Dan had the patience to sit so long for
a portrait. I could never do that. Mine would have had to be a
Polaroid, but this is what I hope Dan's portrait will say to future
Government Reform Committees: Here is a genuine American, a man
whose sincerity and passion compel his leadership, and compels
others to follow. A representative whose own life experiences and
challenges strengthened his resolve and opened his heart to be of
service to others.
In these partisan times, he has been called a partisan, but no label
can obscure the quiet equanimity of his stewardship. Under Dan
Burton, subcommittee chairmen are allowed to explore any issue,
encouraged to include members of both parties in all of our work,
and given the resources needed to do our job. Over the past 4
years, the work of the full committee and its subcommittees has
made a tremendous contribution towards ensuring the overall economy
and efficiency of Federal Government operations and activities. So
a portrait is a very fitting and lasting tribute to Dan's
leadership style. For the next 200 years, he will be out front here
taking charge, drawing public scrutiny, clearing a path for those
who follow to pursue the goals of better government.
It is with a profound sense of gratitude and respect that I present
this portrait of Chairman Dan Burton to the House of
Representatives on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform.
[Applause.]
Mr. O'Neill. I would now like to bring up the Chairman, Dan Burton.
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Chairman Burton and Representative Christopher Shays, who presented the
portrait to the U.S. House of Representatives
REMARKS OF HON. DAN BURTON
Chairman, Committee on Government Reform
Mr. Burton. Thank you. It is a real honor to be recognized and
remembered along with the other chairmen who have chaired
committees throughout the history of the United States Congress.
And so, to think that your own portrait will be shown for 100 or
200 years someplace in the Capitol is really an honor.
I would like to thank my family, Barbara, my wife, and my daughter
Kelly, and my son-in-law Rob for being here. There are so many
other people I would like to thank, Mel Stier. I would like to
thank Senator Lugar for being here. It is very nice. You are all
very dear friends, and I really appreciate it. The one thing that I
regret is that my mother, who died about a year and a half ago, and
waited on tables at L.S. Ayres & Company for 18 years, is not here
tonight. She was abused. My real father went to prison because of
the abuse of me and my mother and the rest of our family. My
stepfather worked--got up every morning, at 5:30 and worked for 40
years in a foundry, first as a sand hog, as they called them, and
later as a foreman. They were two of the most wonderful people I
ever knew; and one of the greatest thrills my mother ever had was
when I was elected to the Congress, and I promised that I would
take her in the front door of the White House and introduce her to
the President of the United States. Ronald Reagan was so gracious
when I did that, he even looked up a little bit about my background
and made my mother think that we were real close personal friends,
which I really appreciated.
But I have to tell you, she would be so thrilled--so thrilled--to know
that her son's portrait is going to be hanging in the United States
Capitol, especially when you think of our origins and the
background, and the trials and tribulations that we went through as
a family. I wish she were here tonight.
At the conclusion of these festivities, I want to play a song and I
hope that those of you who are here will listen to it because she
named me after this song. It was one of her favorite songs. It was
called Danny Boy. She named me after that. People called me Daniel
through the years and everything else, but my name is Danny, Danny
Lee, and I was named after this Irish song, and we have an Irish
singer that is going to sing it. It is a recording, but I hope that
you will think about my mother--who I hope is here someplace
watching the festivities.
With that, thank you very much for being here. I appreciate it. It is a
great moment in my life and my family's. Thank you very much.
[Recess.]
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Chairman Burton addresses the invited guests
Mr. Shays. The Speaker is in the midst of budget negotiations, and I am
sure it is with the Senate, because that is the only thing that
would keep him away.
So on behalf of the Speaker, I believe that Mr. Mica will accept the
portrait, and I would like to say to you, Congressman Mica, on
behalf of the Government Reform Committee, we present this painting
to you and would welcome a few comments.
ACCEPTANCE OF PORTRAIT BY HON. JOHN L. MICA
Chairman, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human
Resources
Mr. Mica. Thank you, Chris.
I am another one of the subcommittee chairmen who has had the honor and
privilege to serve under Dan Burton, and I can tell you there is no
individual in the House of Representatives who is more dedicated to
our country, to the integrity of the political process, and to the
service that has been so historic in this committee. Most of you
probably don't know, but the Government Reform Committee is one of
the oldest committees in the House of Representatives. The
Government Reform Committee, when our Founding Fathers began
creating government and bureaucracy as we know it, created one
difference, and some other countries have actually adopted our
constitution and our form of government, but they lack one of the
features that is so important, and that is the feature of checks
and balances that Government Reform has always provided.
The Founding Fathers in 1808 instituted the predecessor of the
Government Reform Committee, because they didn't trust the
authorizers, and they didn't trust the appropriators. They wanted
another check, and that check has really maintained the integrity
of our government and our democratic system and our institutions as
we know it. And no one has really been able to take on that
responsibility in a difficult time under a more difficult set of
circumstances with more difficult challenges than Dan Burton. All
of us owe Dan Burton a thanks of special gratitude for his service.
Dan, thank you.
So, on behalf of all of the subcommittee chairmen, myself, and the
others who have had the honor and privilege to work with Dan
Burton, on behalf of the leadership of the entire House of
Representatives, and also on behalf of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, it is my honor to stand in for our leader and our
Speaker to accept this portrait for the House of Representatives
and for posterity. Let's welcome now for some final comments our
chairman, Chairman Dan Burton.
Mr. Burton. We are going to bring the pastor up for a closing prayer in
just a moment, but I want you all to stay around and enjoy the
reception.
I forgot to recognize who I consider to be one of the greatest artists
in America, Ray Kinstler.
Mr. Shays. From Connecticut.
Mr. Burton. From Connecticut.
Let me just say that he has painted John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn,
Jimmy Cagney, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and a host
of other people and foreign dignitaries. He has three portraits in
the White House right now, so I am very honored to have had Ray
Kinstler paint my portrait, and I want to thank you very much. He
is not only a great artist, but is one of my dear, dear friends.
Thank you very much.
Pastor Coughlin, would you say a few words in closing?
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Chairman Burton, his wife Barbara, daughter Kelly, and son in law, Dr.
Robert Smith
BENEDICTION BY REVEREND DANIEL P. COUGHLIN
Reverend Coughlin. May the God of peace fill the hearts of Dan Burton
and his family and all here present with every blessing. May God
sustain all with gifts of hope and understanding, and help us all
to offer our lives in the service of others and this great Nation.
Amen.
Mr. O'Neill. Before we conclude our program this evening, I would like
to thank Dirk Haire, the chairman of the Burton Portrait Committee.
Dirk did an outstanding job, and his hard work made tonight a real
success.
To the many friends and family of Dan Burton, thank you for being part
of this very special evening. Good night.
[Whereupon, at 6:47 p.m., the portrait unveiling ceremony was
concluded.]
Members of the Committee on Government Reform
One Hundred Sixth Congress
DAN BURTON, Indiana, Chairman
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York HENRY A. WAXMAN, California
CONSTANCE A. MORELLA, Maryland TOM LANTOS, California
CHRISTOPHER SHAYS, Connecticut ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida MAJOR R. OWENS, New York
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York EDOLPHUS TOWNS, New York
STEPHEN HORN, California PAUL E. KANJORSKI, Pennsylvania
JOHN L. MICA, Florida PATSY T. MINK, Hawaii
THOMAS M. DAVIS III, Virginia CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York
DAVID M. McINTOSH, Indiana ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of
MARK E. SOUDER, Indiana Columbia
JOE SCARBOROUGH, Florida CHAKA FATTAH, Pennsylvania
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland
MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD, South DENNIS J. KUCINICH, Ohio
Carolina ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH, Illinois
BOB BARR, Georgia DANNY K. DAVIS, Illinois
DAN MILLER, Florida JOHN F. TIERNEY, Massachusetts
ASA HUTCHINSON, Arkansas JIM TURNER, Texas
LEE TERRY, Nebraska THOMAS H. ALLEN, Maine
JUDY BIGGERT, Illinois HAROLD E. FORD, Jr., Tennessee
GREG WALDEN, Oregon JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois
DOUG OSE, California ------
PAUL RYAN, Wisconsin BERNARD SANDERS, Vermont
HELEN CHENOWETH-HAGE, Idaho (Independent)
DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
Kevin Binger, Staff Director
Daniel R. Moll, Deputy Staff Director
David A. Kass, Deputy Counsel and Parliamentarian
Robert A. Briggs, Chief Clerk
Philip M. Schiliro, Minority Staff Director