[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 87 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    WILLIAM H. NATCHER FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 1994

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill (H.R. 4577) 
introduced by Congressman James Traficant, to name the Federal Building 
and U.S. Courthouse in Bowling Green, KY after the Honorable William H. 
Natcher, who died March 29, 1994.
  Former Appropriations Chairman Natcher was the guardian of our 
appropriations legislation, and a champion for the values and ethics 
that are essential to the success of this institution. In 1978 I was 
named to serve on the Appropriations Committee and found the chairman 
to be extremely helpful in guiding me through the appropriations 
process. As many of you may be aware, Mr. Natcher chaired the 
Appropriations Subcommittee on the District of Columbia--the 
subcommittee which I now chair. In 1979, he was elected chairman of the 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education. As the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, Mr. 
Natcher was chosen to chair the Appropriations Committee following a 
long illness by then-Appropriations Chairman Jamie Whitten. He chaired 
the committee and subcommittee until his death.
  Chairman Natcher was a true southern gentleman, an esteemed public 
servant, and rare politician. His modest demeanor belied the tremendous 
influence he wielded in Congress. One could always find Mr. Natcher 
working in his office in the Rayburn House Office Building or in his 
subcommittee office in the U.S. Capitol. He never missed a rollcall 
vote until he became seriously ill earlier this year. Chairman Natcher 
set a world voting record of 18,401 consecutive votes. In recognition 
of his many accomplishments, President Bill Clinton awarded Mr. Natcher 
the Presidential Citizens Medal in March of this year.
  Congressman Natcher was an exceptional politician in other ways. He 
accepted no campaign contributions. Instead, Mr. Natcher would place a 
few newspaper advertisements announcing his candidacy. He also prided 
himself on remaining in direct contact with his constituents, often 
driving from town to town to meet with them personally.
  Throughout his tenure in Congress and as chairman of the 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education, Mr. Natcher was a staunch supporter of programs to improve 
education in rural and urban communities, and provide quality, 
affordable health care. He was an advocate for providing funds for 
medical research, and supported funding for the job corps and training 
of displaced workers. It is clear that Chairman Natcher placed his mark 
on this Nation's social policy.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in supporting H.R. 4577, which will be named in honor of the 
distinguished career and leadership of Honorable William H. Natcher. 
Chairman Natcher served nobly in the U.S. Congress for over 40 years, 
and his reputation as the consummate, committed statesman remains a 
challenge to all of us.

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