[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       A TRIBUTE TO JAMIE WHITTEN

                                 ______


                            HON. J.J. PICKLE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Speaker, when Jamie Whitten retires from Congress, we 
will lose one of the all-time great Members of Congress. For over 50 
years, Jamie has been a stalwart leader in the House of 
Representatives, a legend, and a national treasure.
  It seems like he's been here forever, and it seems that he has been 
the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and the dean of 
Mississippi and the dean of the House forever. In all these years, 
nothing but praise has been given for Jamie and his service. Not once 
has any question of impropriety or misconduct been aimed at him. To the 
contrary, he has been the model of conduct and accomplishment in the 
House.
  It was privileged to attend the ceremony unveiling the portrait of 
Chairman Whitten in September 1984. This was a happy and jolly occasion 
participated in by Congressman Whitten, Mrs. Whitten, former Member 
Edward Boland, Chaplain James Ford, then majority leader Jim Wright, 
Minority Leader Bob Michel, the late chairman, William Natcher, the 
late Congressman Member Silvio Conte, former Member Will Hickman, and 
the late former Speaker Tip O'Neill.
  Mr. Speaker, it was obvious that all those people in attendance 
hastened to pay Jamie the highest compliment because he is a genuine 
southern gentleman and a great American. I want to recall some of their 
remarks.
  Congressman Bob Michel said he received most of his tutelage from 
Chairman Whitten. ``Jamie taught me what to do and what not to do,'' he 
said. ``Jamie Whitten is what they call `a first among equals' in the 
House, and that is one of the highest honors we can pay to any fellow 
Member.''
  Congressman Michel went on to add, ``the old saying, `The Buck Stops 
Here,' does not apply to the Committee on Appropriations; to the 
contrary, this is where the buck starts in terms of what happens to 
Federal expenditures. The Committee on Appropriations is where all the 
crosscurrents meet and come together to make policy work in this 
institution. So in honoring Jamie, we pay tribute not only to a great 
leader, but I think to the House itself.''
  At the unveiling, Speaker Tom Foley pointed out that while Jamie was 
criticized by some for doing too much for his district, he had no 
apologies; in fact, he was proud of it. As a congressional leader who 
has worked effectively and diligently for our country, Jamie reminded 
us all of this important truth: Fighting for your district does not 
make you provincial, and fighting for your country does not mean you 
have forgotten the folks back home.
  Our beloved late Chairman Bill Natcher said that when he and the late 
Congressman Silvio Conte were in charge of the Agriculture 
Appropriations Subcommittee, they had always found Jamie Whitten to be 
more than cooperative, and willing to work with them on their bills. 
When the markup would take place, Natcher recalled, Jamie Whitten would 
come in and say, ``I am with the subcommittee.''
  Chairman Natcher recalled that James A. Garfield had served on the 
Committee on Appropriations for 18 years until he was elected President 
of the United States in 1880. Mr. Natcher said there were times when 
senior members on the committee would beg Chairman Whitten to stay 
until he too was elected President. Chairman Whitten would remind those 
members to ``remember what happened to Mr. Garfield!''--who was one of 
four Presidents who was assassinated. ``Let me say this to you,'' he 
would add. ``I appreciate the honor, but I think I will just stay right 
where I am.''

  The day of the unveiling, Congressman Silvio Conte remarked, ``Jamie 
has had a very long and successful career in the House, and it is truly 
fitting that his many years of service to the American people be 
honored by us today. It has been said that in the making of a perfect 
portrait, the artist should capture how each observer sees the subject. 
In viewing Jamie's portrait, some will see a solid man of the people 
who has served the State of Mississippi with great distinction for 44 
years. Others will see an architect, a foreman of the New Deal, who has 
contributed greatly to the Nation's industrial and economic health in 
the past nearly half a century. Still others will see an able and a 
fair chairman who has presided over the House Committee on 
Appropriations during one of the most turbulent and difficult times in 
our history. But those of us who know Jamie will see all these visages 
and more. In a building that is filled with likenesses and artifacts, 
we will have in the Committee on Appropriations office the image of a 
friend. Regardless of anyone's regional or political affiliation, Jamie 
always has an open ear and a friendly handshake. These great qualities 
combined with his virtually invaluable expertise have made him a real 
statesman, a chairman under whom Members on both sides of the aisle are 
honored to serve.''
  Mr. Speaker, at the ceremony, Chairman Whitten made some observations 
of his own about some of the Members in attendance. ``I recall that 
when my predecessor, George Mahon, had his portrait hung right here 
years ago, President Ford spoke at that time,'' he said, ``and I was 
Master of Ceremonies, being next to him. It was a great occasion, but 
George sent me a copy of the picture taken while he was here, and his 
eyes were completely closed. Under it he said, ``Jamie, I had so much 
confidence in you that I closed my eyes.'' Well, Chairman Whitten wrote 
back to George Mahon and said, ``Mr. Chairman, I am glad you explained 
it. I thought you were praying.''
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I wish to let it be known how loved and 
admired this great man is, and that he will be remembered and revered 
forever. I am glad to have this opportunity to join with the other 
Members of this body in tribute to our leader, colleague, and friend, 
Congressman Jamie Whitten.

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