[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM H. NATCHER

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, for the first time since his election on 
August 1, 1953, the gentleman from Kentucky, William H. Natcher, has 
not responded to a rollcall vote. It would have been his 18,402d 
consecutive vote, the vote we just took on approving the Journal.
  I was advised today that after consultation with his physicians he 
reluctantly determined that he would remain at Bethesda Naval Hospital 
and, consequently, not respond to this or other rollcall votes today.
  Obviously, this is a sad moment for all of us because of the 
unparalleled public service of Mr. Natcher. He will have in the record 
of 18,401 rollcall votes a record that I believe will stand forever.
  I hope, Mr. Chairman, that you may be watching this session of the 
House and understand that behind that standing ovation of Members of 
the House from both sides of the aisle, from every part of this 
country, goes our enormous respect and admiration for you.
  With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to read your own 
words as given today:

       Afer consultation with my physicians this morning, I have 
     very reluctantly decided to remain at Bethesda Naval Hospital 
     for continued treatment, and I will not be able to return to 
     Capitol Hill today.
       I want to thank the people of the Second Congressional 
     District of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for all 
     of their support and for their prayers and concern.
       I served as Federal conciliation commissioner in 1936 and 
     1937 for the Western District of Kentucky, was then elected 
     as county attorney of Warren County for three 4-year terms, 
     and then was elected as commonwealth attorney in 1951 and 
     served until I was elected to the Congress on August 1, 1953. 
     Throughout my entire public service, I have never missed a 
     single day of work, and during my tenure as a Member of 
     Congress, I never missed a day or a vote. Through yesterday, 
     Wednesday, March 2, 1994, the total of 18,401. I could not do 
     this again, but I will try because I believe Members of 
     Congress should vote.
       The Second Congressional District of Kentucky has been good 
     to me. I have enjoyed every day of my service, not only as a 
     Member, but also as the chairman of the Labor, Health and 
     Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and 
     as the chairman of the Full Committee on Appropriations.
       I am extremely proud that last year, after being elected 
     chairman of the full committee, with the cooperation of all 
     of the Members and the staff, I was able to see to it that 
     all 13 appropriations bills were enacted on time, without an 
     extended continuing resolution.
       I will remain at the hospital and will be consulting with 
     my physicians about my return to work.

  Mr. Chairman, everyone in this Chamber hopes that the day will come 
soon when you can return to us, to your distinguished work and to this 
House. In the meantime, our prayers and thoughts are with you. God 
bless you, sir.

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