[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1772-E1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JERRY WATERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT ROBERTS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the Senate Foreign Relations 
room in our U.S. Capitol, I joined the many friends and colleagues of 
Dr. Jerry Waters in paying tribute to an outstanding public servant and 
to wish him well upon his retirement.
  Jerry Waters, a native of St. Francis, KS, first came to Washington 
to work for Senator Jim Pearson. Prior to coming to our Nation's 
Capital, Jerry was a political science professor at Kansas State 
University. Jerry came to Washington with the intent of staying but 1 
year but his devotion to and performance of duty was such that he 
stayed to his State's and Nation's benefit.
  Serving as administrative assistant to Jim Pearson, Jerry was 
responsible for hiring quality staff and one such staffer was the 
daughter of our former Governor and Kansas political legend, Alf 
Landon. Yes, we can thank Jerry Waters, in part, for Senator Nancy 
Kassebaum's outstanding service. Another former Waters' staffer is the 
current Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman.

[[Page E1773]]

  In his capacity as administrative assistant, Jerry played a key role 
in ensuring that agricultural policy was commensurate with the needs of 
both Kansas and our Nation's farmers. During this time, Dr. Jerry 
Waters became a recognized expert in agriculture and transportation 
public policy.
  After Senator Pearson retired, Jerry moved to the private sector as a 
consultant and has worked for the farmer-owned Farmland Industries 
System representing them and the farmers and consumers they serve in 
Washington. His expertise has resulted in sound agricultural policy 
accomplishment.
  Part of the reason that Dr. Jerry Waters has achieved significant 
success in our Nation's capital has been the fact he has never lost 
touch with Kansas. Some 30 years after coming to Washington, he still 
owns a farm in his hometown of St. Francis.
  Mr. Speaker, I also speak for many, many colleagues and friends--
people who have in their own right achieved success in Washington in 
saying that we have been fortunate to have had Jerry as a mentor, 
advisor, and friend. I am reminded of the true adage that there are no 
self made men and women in public service, that it is your friends who 
make you what you are. In this regard, Jerry Waters is a man who has 
always kept his word and whose integrity and keen sense of purpose have 
been an example to us all. He is a man of great institutional memory 
and knowledge buttressed by his love and respect for the Congress and 
the people we serve.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, Jerry has been a close friend whose 
advice I have always solicited and from which I have always benefitted. 
I shall always remember with fondness and a sense of accomplishment the 
days when Jerry, Bill Kats of then-Congressman Bob Dole's office, 
Lester Rosen, of Congressman Garner Shriver's office and Charles 
Freburg of Congressman Mize's office and myself in Senator Frank 
Carlson's office, were the Kansas delegation administrative assistants.
  Jerry showed me the ropes just as he has for so many others in 
government, in academia, in the business community and in public 
service. He remains one of my dearest, longtime friends. I speak for 
all of his friends and colleagues in wishing he and Jan the very best 
during their retirement years.

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