[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 131 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        A WELL-DESERVED TRIBUTE

                                 ______


                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 1994

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this Labor Day, the National 
Association of Letter Carriers San Antonio branch honored our 
colleague, the distinguished congressman from San Antonio who chairs 
the House Banking Committee. On that occasion, Tim Tracy, president of 
branch 427 of the Letter Carriers delivered remarks about Henry 
Gonzalez which are worthy of reprinting here. In this time when many 
people are talking about term limits, and treat long service in the 
public sector as a mark of some character weakness, it is refreshing to 
see the people of Congressman Gonzalez' district so appreciative of the 
extraordinary qualities of dedication, commitment, and integrity which 
he brings to his work. Since I have been in the House, Henry Gonzalez 
has been the chairman of the Housing Subcommittee, and for the last few 
years he has chaired the full Banking Committee as well. It has been my 
very distinct privilege to serve on the Housing Subcommittee on the 
full Banking Committee under his chairmanship, and I congratulate the 
members of Letter Carriers Branch 427 for recognizing the extraordinary 
qualities of statesmanship, compassion and decency which have motivated 
Henry Gonzalez.
  Excessive cynicism is one of the problems that now confronts this 
Nation, and I therefore insert into the Record the excellent remarks of 
President Tim Tracy of the Letter Carriers Branch 427 about Henry 
Gonzalez as an antidote to those who argue that great public servants 
are a thing of the past.

                           Henry B. Gonzalez

       Congressman and Mrs. Gonzalez, postmaster Montana, 
     distinguished guests, fellow labor advocates, and brother and 
     sister letter carriers. We are here tonight to thank 
     Congressman Gonzalez for his 34 years in Congress and his 
     over 40 years of service to his community as a true and 
     honorable advocate of the working people of his district, his 
     State, and indeed, his country. He has steadfastly supported 
     the people, that is the real people of America, the working 
     men and women of our country. He has always understood the 
     need for and the advantages of having good and strong labor 
     organizations to further the causes of making a better life 
     for all Americans. In short, he has always been there for us. 
     Tonight we are here for him.
       From his early days in politics on the city council in San 
     Antonio to the prestigious positions he occupies today as the 
     chairman of the House Committee on Banking, Finance, and 
     Urban Affairs and chairman of the House Subcommittee on 
     Housing and Community Development, Congressman Gonzalez has 
     always maintained contact and focus with the people he 
     represents. He was the first to do things that sometimes did 
     not go with the accepted flow but he was consistently proven 
     right. He was also the first to break through the prejudicies 
     of a community and a nation and demonstrated categorically 
     that all men are indeed created equal.
       Almost all the words of praise that I know cannot 
     adequately describe Congressman Gonzalez' contributions to 
     this land--so I say to you as I say it to him what's in my 
     heart--thank you sir for being there for us. Thank you for 
     your support for the letter carriers when giving that support 
     has sometimes been unpopular. Thank you too for your support 
     of the all working men and women and of organized labor. 
     America is a better place today because of you and the grand 
     work that you have done for her people.
       God bless you Henry and may He hold you always in the palm 
     of His hand. Ladies and gentleman, please join me in thanking 
     this wonderful man, Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, U.S. 
     Representative for the 20th District of Texas for being our 
     friend.

                          ____________________