[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 64 (Friday, May 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE WILLIAM H. NATCHER

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 1994

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, today is a day to give deserved praise to the 
political and person life of Bill Natcher. While I have served in this 
body only a short time, it is clear to anyone who had the honor of 
working with Chairman Natcher that he embodied congressional service. 
It is an understatement to say he is missed.
  When I testified before Chairman Natcher's subcommittee last year 
about some funding problems facing my homestate of Oregon due to a 
property tax limitation measure, I had been in Congress less than 3 
months. After my testimony, Chairman Natcher taught me the less of 
bipartisanship, telling me that the problems of my State could only be 
addressed by working with people from both political parties. ``When 
you walk down the aisle together [to solve a problem], that is the day 
you're a Member of Congress,'' the chairman told me.
  He was reminding me of how people who are elected should operate. In 
light of all the gamesmanship, partisanship, and blame placing that 
surrounds political life, it was a pure, simply message: people have to 
work together to accomplish anything. Later that year, when I had 
worked with a Republican to ensure that an important health program had 
adequate funding, he accommodated our request.
  While only a freshman, I came to know Mr. Natcher well. I have a 
picture on my wall which he sent me after our last visit, one which I 
will cherish long after I serve in this body. It is so easy to get 
caught up in the maelstrom that is politics and being a Member of 
Congress: the issues of the day, media, messages, and on and on. It is 
amazing to me that in the midst of all our seemingly endless daily 
activities, in the midst of ably chairing one of the most important 
committees in Congress, Bill Natcher took the time to write his 
grandchildren every week. His words and deeds taught everyone that 
humanity and political life are irrevocably intertwined. To be 
successful in anything, including government service, you must respect 
what is important--and people are preeminently important.
  I will miss Chairman Natcher in this institution. My predecessor, Les 
AuCoin, often spoke of his leadership on the Appropriations Committee 
and as a good Democrat. I only hope that I will live up to Bill 
Natcher's model of humanity and service that was the hallmark of his 
distinguished career here in the House.

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