[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           HONORING TOM LEWIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Young] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have asked for this time this 
evening so that my colleagues and I from Florida can honor Tom Lewis, 
who is retiring from the House at the end of this 103d Congress.
  In closing out 12 years of service to our Nation here in the House, 
Tom also brings to a close a distinguished 30-year career of public 
service. He has been the voice of the people of south Florida in 
serving as a mayor and city councilman in North Palm Beach, as a member 
of the Florida State House and Senate, and as a Member of Congress for 
six terms.
  In addition to public service, Tom also has defended our Nation as an 
11-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Following tours of duty in World 
War II and Korea, he pursued a professional career as a jet and rocket 
testing chief for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, where he supervised work on 
some of our Nation's most sophisticated military and commercial 
aircraft systems.
  With his technical background, Tom has proven to be an invaluable 
member of the Science and Technology Committee. And with the 16th 
Congressional District he represents so dependent upon the agriculture 
industry, he has served on the Agriculture Committee, representing 
Florida's farmers, growers, and cattlemen with vigor.
  There is not a corner of his vast district that you can go without 
seeing the fruit of Tom's work. A major new Department of Veterans 
Affairs medical center and nursing home have been built in Palm Beach 
County because of his persistent work. A number of major highway 
improvements have been completed to make travel across his expansive 
district faster and safer. The Big Cypress National Preserve has been 
reclaimed to protect this key part of Florida's unique environment. And 
Tom worked with my colleagues and me on the Appropriations Subcommittee 
on National Defense to keep Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft flying 
to maintain critical hurricane tracking capabilities that provide a 
lifetime for all Floridians in times of severe weather.
  One of Tom's crowning achievements was his leadership last year in 
brokering important concessions in the North American Free Trade 
Agreement to protect the interests of Florida's vast agriculture 
industry. His diligent work emphasized the power and cohesiveness of 
our Florida delegation and resulted in a much superior trade agreement 
than our Nation would have had otherwise. He has devoted the same 
energy and expertise to protect Florida's interests in the Uruguay 
round of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs.
  Mr. Speaker, Tom Lewis' list of accomplishments are long and would 
make any Member proud. His lasting legacy though, will be the integrity 
with which he served and the respect he earned from every Member of 
this House. Those who question the dedication and commitment of our 
Nation's public officials would do well to review the career of Tom 
Lewis. The people of the 16th Congressional District, who have voted in 
large numbers six times to send him to our Nation's Capitol, are the 
ultimate judges of his work in their behalf and in behalf of our great 
Nation.

  Tom is excited about his impending retirement because it will give 
him the much deserved opportunity to spend more time with his wife 
Marian, their three children, and their five grandchildren. While I 
wish Tom and Marian all the best in their retirement years, I know 
there will be a major void to fill in our delegation next year. Tom 
Lewis has been a good and close friend of mine for the past 12 years 
and I will always treasure that friendship. There is no question that 
his counsel and support have helped me do my job better.
  Every member of our delegation, I believe, feels the same about Tom 
and will miss his presence when the 104th Congress convenues next 
January. Nothing can be a better indicator of the quality of his 
service and his personal commitment to uphold our Constitution, protect 
our national security, and represent the best interests of the people 
he represents in south Florida and throughout our Nation. The 16th 
Congressional District, the U.S. House of Representatives, and our 
Nation are all better places as a result of his service here.
  Mrs. Fowler. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to my 
friend and colleague Representative Tom Lewis of Florida, who will be 
retiring at the conclusion of the 103d Congress.
  Although as a freshman I have only known Mr. Lewis for the last 2 
years, I hold him in high esteem and have looked to him as an example 
of what a good legislator should be.
  Tom Lewis is a man of great intelligence and character, and he has 
served his constituents and his Nation with energy and dedication. He 
has been stalwart defender of agriculture, which is Florida's second 
largest business, and he has put his engineering and aviation 
background to good use during his service on the Science, Space and 
Technology Committee, working to keep American aviation competitive and 
on the cutting edge.
  Representative Lewis has also been a strong advocate for common-sense 
government and fiscal responsibility, standing against the tide of 
increasing government regulation and reckless spending with courage.
  Mr. Speaker, Tom Lewis is the kind of man we need in Washington, and 
he has earned the friendship and respect of Members on both sides of 
the aisle. Honest, straightforward, and kind, he has always put the 
good of Florida and this Nation at the top of his agenda. And from his 
service in World War II to his service here in Washington, he has 
always given his best. He will be greatly missed, but as he leaves this 
body he takes with him the best wishes of his friends and colleagues.
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my Florida colleagues in a 
salute to one of our friends who has chosen to leave this House after a 
distinguished career of public service. Tom Lewis is one of the 
veterans of our Florida team. He has helped to guide us with his 
stability, vision, and carefully crafted access to decisionmaking 
crucial for our State, most especially in the areas of agriculture and 
science/technology. No doubt his departure will leave a hole in the 
delegation and it will be some time before any successor climbs the 
ladder to his level of expertise. Tom has been persistent, hard-
working, and knowledgeable in the areas of his responsibility and we 
have often turned to him for his studied guidance. On a more personal 
note, Tom and I share adjoining districts in some of the most beautiful 
parts of our Sunshine State. In fact, just this last census allowed me 
to acquire some of his previous real estate and Tom has been most 
gracious in helping me get to know that new area. More importantly, I 
found Tom was widely held in high regard throughout the district and 
has earned the gratitude and appreciation of his constituents for his 
service. I am obliged to Tom for his help in the District--but I am 
equally obliged to him for his wise counsel and friendly companionship 
to this newcomer in Washington. Tom is smart enough to have given me 
enough running room to make a few mistakes, but kind enough to steer me 
clear of the most serious landmines along the way. I will miss him and 
wish him well in his new endeavors.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues from 
Florida in honoring one of the finest Members of Congress with whom I 
have had the privilege of serving. That distinguished public servant is 
Tom Lewis, who retires this year from public life after many years of 
dedicated service to his country, his State, and his fellow citizens in 
Florida.
  As a combat veteran of World War II, Tom had a special feeling for 
our servicemen and women, and an excellent understanding of the 
particular needs of our military veterans. Because of his experience in 
this regard, he devoted a great deal of time and effort to ensuring 
that our country's veterans received the proper consideration and 
respect from our Government.
  Tom also had great empathy for our farmers and the special needs of 
America's agricultural communities. His congressional district included 
vast farming areas, and Tom always understood the great importance of 
maintaining America's and Florida's position as the world's leader in 
agriculture. None of us will ever forget his leadership during this 
year's debate on the NAFTA treaty, in which his principled and 
intelligent arguments on behalf of Florida's farmers persuaded the 
American and Mexican Governments to add treaty language to protect 
legitimate American rights and interests.
  Mr. Speaker, Tom Lewis has left a legacy of patriotic service to his 
country, leadership on issues of great importance to his State, and 
selfless devotion to the concerns and interests of the people of his 
congressional district. We will all miss his daily presence in this 
House in the new Congress, and wish him much happiness on his return to 
private life.
  On a more personal note, my wife, Emilie, and I will miss Tom and his 
wife, Marian, here in Washington as close personal friends. We do look 
forward to seeing them as constituents in Florida.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is right and proper to call a 
special order for my distinguished colleague from the neighboring 16th 
District of Florida, Congressman Tom Lewis. Congressman Lewis will 
retire from a longstanding career in public service. For over 30 years, 
Congressman Lewis has served his constituents in city hall, in the 
State legislature, and in Congress.
  However, he had engaged in two other careers before representing the 
constituents in South Florida. Congressman Lewis admirably served in 
the Air Force through World War II and Korea. He then entered the 
private sector as an executive for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. With his 
experience as a veteran, pilot, and businessman, Congressman Lewis has 
been able to thoroughly represent his constituents' concerns and 
interest.
  Congressman Lewis has been an advocate for veterans and 
rehabilitative services for them. As a pilot, he convinced NASA to 
carefully study metal fatigue and corrosion on aircraft. As a 
businessman, he worked to open up beef and citrus trade exports to 
Japan. Congressman Lewis has worn many career hats, and each one has 
fit him well. This multi-faceted Member has continued to remain loyal 
to his constituents' concerns.
  When close to retirement, Congressman Lewis did not rest upon his 
laurels. He has aggressively challenged the Smithsonian Institute on 
the intent of their exhibit, The Atomic Bomb and the End of the World 
War II. From his questioning, Congressman Lewis has lead fellow Members 
in a campaign to make the Smithsonian present a more accurate display 
of the American role in World War II.
  I applaud Congressman Tom Lewis for his leadership and understanding 
of constituents' needs. He has brought honor to this institution, 
Congress.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor my colleague and 
good friend, Representative Tom Lewis, on the last day of the 103d 
Congress and the final legislative day of Tom's public career.
  Tom has been a true friend over the years and we have shared many, 
many hours within these walls. Late at night we might debate an issue 
in the back of the chamber or discuss the merits or demerits of a 
particular piece of legislation--or just talk after a long day in 
committee and the floor.
  Tom was always a level head and a receptive ear in a city not known 
for rational thought. And I know that Tom dedicated himself to working 
for the people of his Congressional district with the same 
straightforward, clear-eyed vision.
  Tom was instrumental in saving Hurricane hunter planes so vital to 
South Florida and the safety of his district residents. He battled for 
2 years and ensured that these planes would remain active--until new 
technology could be brought on line.
  Airline safety was another primary concern of Tom Lewis. Given his 
extensive background in the Air Force and with Pratt and Whitney in 
civilian life, Tom brought real life expertise to the forefront of 
congressional debate.
  And Tom secured funding to complete the missing link of I-95, 
completing a task he set about while a Member of the State legislature. 
Perhaps no other endeavor better demonstrated his innate perseverance--
he never gave up until the job was done.
  Preserving the environment has additionally been a continuing concern 
of Tom. He was a steady voice in opposition to offshore drilling--
helping our delegation maintain the current moratorium--and he obtained 
funding to expand the Big Cypress National Preserve by 146,000 acres.
  As Tom goes home to North Palm Beach he can remember with 
satisfaction a record of public service performed beyond and above the 
call of duty. Tom served his country in war and peace, putting his life 
on the line as a B-25 gunner in World War II and on the ground in 
Korea. He carried his patriotism and work ethic with him to this 
chamber where he served with distinction and honor for 12 years.
  I will miss Tom greatly as the gavel falls on the 104th Congress. But 
I know that he and his family can be proud of a job well done and years 
spent in the pursuit of excellence, achievement and an unwavering 
respect for the people who entrusted him to be their representative in 
this great body.

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