[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 21, 1994]



               TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JAMIE L. WHITTEN

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. DOUGLAS APPLEGATE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 1994

  Mr. APPLEGATE. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the 103d Congress, this 
institution will be losing the premier Member of the House of 
Representatives, the one person who really stands out as the leader of 
this Chamber, the dean of the House and the dean of the Mississippi 
delegation, our very good friend and colleague, Representative Jamie L. 
Whitten.
  There are some in this world, and I guess you can label them as 
cynics, who would point to Jamie Whitten and use him as an example for 
their arguments in support of limiting the terms of elected officials 
all across America. Mr. Speaker, I feel that Jamie Whitten  clearly 
demonstrates the case for not limiting the rights of the electorate to 
freely choose who they wish to have represent them here in our Nation's 
Capital.
  Jamie Whitten did what he had to do for the people of Mississippi, 
and more than many people who have come and gone through Congress, he 
has achieved much for the impoverished rural areas of the lower 
Appalachian and the delta regions, those citizens of America who stand 
at the very bottom of the economic ladder and who, through Jamie 
Whitten's efforts, live better lives and more rewarding and enriching 
lives.
  I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Chairman Whitten 
over all of these years, and it's almost inconceivable to think that 
there's someone around here who has put in three times the number of 
years that I have in the U.S. House of Representatives. But it's out of 
this distinguished and lengthy career that each of us has learned more 
about America and more about the American people. Jamie Whitten taught 
us about the truly important things, and he reminded us that we should 
never forget about all of those back home in the district who we 
represent here in Washington. He reminded us about the farmers and the 
farmworkers, and he reminded us of those in rural America with their 
special needs, needs that have been recognized and answered for over 
the past 50 years, due largely to Jamie Whitten.
  In joining with so many of my colleagues, I wish to convey my very 
best wishes to Jamie and his lovely wife, Becky, for many years of 
happiness and good health all throughout the future. We will miss his 
guidance and leadership.

                          ____________________