[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              SPECIAL WORDS FOR A VERY SPECIAL CONGRESSMAN

                                 ______


                         HON. DOUGLAS APPLEGATE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 10, 1994

  Mr. APPLEGATE. Mr. Speaker, last May a giant of a man and a former 
member of the House of Representatives passed away at the age of 90, 
Robert T. Secrest of Cambridge, OH.
  Bob Secrest came to Congress in 1933, joined by Jennings Randolph of 
West Virginia, the last remaining elected official who accompanied 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt in heralding in the New Deal era.
  Bot Secrest was the first Member to leave Congress and join the Armed 
Forces at the outbreak of World War II, entering the U.S. Navy. Bob 
Secrest served a total of 20 years in the House during three separate 
occasions, the only Member of Congress ever to do so. Bob also served 
on the Federal Trade Commission and was a former member of the Ohio 
House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. He also served as the 
director of the Ohio Department of Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, a good friend of mine from Youngstown, OH, Thomas P. 
Gilmartin, Sr., an admirer of Robert Secrest, recently sent to me a 
poem he wrote as a tribute to our former colleague. I would like to 
take this opportunity to share these thoughtful words with the members 
of the House:

                        A Tribute to Bob Secrest

                        (By Tom Gilmartin, Sr.)

     Bob Secrest tall and straight
     Could look anyone in the face and tell them the way things 
           should be
     A decent man through and through
     Did his duty with delight
     Never ducked from any fight
     Veteran-Legislature a statesman too
     A gentle man with sparkling eyes
     Quick, could think on his feet
     Never abusive or mean
     Never grumbled or complained
     Spoke his mind with humor-wit
     Always right with friend or foe
     Gee, I'm sorry to see him go.

                          ____________________