[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO HON. ALFRED A. McCANDLESS ON HIS RETIREMENT

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                               speech of

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 1994

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I have had the distinct honor of serving 13 
years in Congress with the distinguished gentleman, Congressman Al 
McCandless. Throughout his years in the U.S. House of Representatives, 
he served tirelessly and with dedication for the betterment of our 
society.
  In his tenure with the House, Congressman McCandless was a consistent 
fiscal conservative who never buckled under pressure. He voted against 
the Tax Reform Act of 1986, even after being lobbied personally by 
President Reagan. Although he had opposition in his home district by 
the media and AARP, he voted against the catastrophic health care bill 
because it did not include long-term care.
  Al was one of the first Members of Congress to raise a red flag 
regarding an impending Savings and Loan crisis. He introduced 
legislation that specifically addressed the lack of oversight of S&L's 
and spent many hours in committee meetings covering every aspect of the 
various proposals to help save victims of the S&L crisis. Although he 
was unable to get action from the committee chairman, he continued to 
be an outspoken critic of the way Congress handled the S&L crisis.
  Several of Al's many successes include developing projects in his 
district aimed at protecting and enhancing the lives of his 
constituents. A major concern in his desert district, Al helped to fund 
major flood-control construction projects such as the Lake Elsinore 
stabilization project, the Eastern Municipal Water District's 
futuristic water reclamation project, and a host of others. Al also 
fought for and got Federal highway funds for a new interstate 
interchange. The March Air Force Base was saved from being completely 
shut down by the Base Closure Commission and instead remains open today 
as a reserve base. He was also instrumental in having 200,000 acres in 
the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains designated as a National 
Scenic Area.
  Congressman Al McCandless' character can be measured in more ways 
than one: His tireless attention to detail, maintaining a voting record 
above the 90th percentile for his congressional career, never bouncing 
a check, and donating his pay increase after taxes to several charities 
in his district.
  I know that I am joined by my colleagues in saying that Congressman 
Al McCandless has served this body with dedication, virtue, and 
dignity. His leadership and commitment to his constituents and this 
Congress will be remembered fondly.

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