[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H12136-H12137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PERMISSION FOR MEMBERS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS IN TRIBUTE TO 
                              BILL ZELIFF

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert my own 
remarks and to allow other Members to be permitted to insert their 
remarks on the service and pay tribute to our colleague, the gentleman 
from New Hampshire, Bill Zeliff, who is retiring.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, as the 104th Congress draws to a close, we 
can look back at a solid record of common-sense accomplishments. 
However, the end of this Congress will bring about the end of the 
distinguished service rendered to this body, and to this nation, by my 
dear friend and colleague--Bill Zeliff.
  Elected in 1990, in only his second term Bill put his name on an 
amazing proposal--the ``A to Z'' plan. Zeliff was the ``Z'' in this 
plan--an idea to hold a week long marathon session devoted solely to 
debating spending cuts. Although this plan did not make it to the 
floor,

[[Page H12137]]

it did set the stage for the remarkable record of holding down the 
growth in spending accomplished in this Congress. Although at the end 
of the alphabet, Bill Zeliff was a leader in our efforts to balance the 
budget.
  However, Bill never limited himself to just one issue. With all of 
the problems we face in this Nation, Bill was always willing to take on 
another assignment. He demonstrated his leadership through the Whip 
organization as well as his skills in working with Bill McCollum on the 
Waco hearings. He did a superb job. His efforts to combat the scourge 
of drugs has also been outstanding. No matter how tough the issue, Bill 
was willing to meet it head on.
  It was only natural that Bill and I would become friends. We shared 
many of the same concerns and a common background. We were small-
business owners before coming to Congress, both of us as innkeepers. 
Through this mutual background we learned how Government can become a 
burden on businesses--the paperwork, regulations, and taxes. We both 
embarked on campaigns for Congress, to change the way Washington works.
  My personal esteem is so great for Bill, that he became my roommate. 
I will miss the time we spent together discussing the issues of the 
day. I would also point out that as former hotel owners, we kept the 
place spotless.
  I know that Bill looks forward to spending more time with his 
family--Sydna and your three children--but you will leave a hole here 
in Congress that will be hard to fill. I know I speak for all of our 
colleagues in thanking you for your service and leadership--and we wish 
you God's speed in your next endeavors.

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