[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN MYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THOMAS J. BLILEY, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend a heartfelt thanks to 
my friend and colleague, John Myers.
  John, the citizens of Richmond and I owe you a debt of thanks for all 
that you have done for Richmond, a city I dearly love. You have helped 
build a floodwall for Richmond that was sorely needed. My own 
experience has taught me the importance of this floodwall.
  In 1972, when I was mayor of Richmond, a 35-foot flood from Hurricane 
Agnes took the water filtration plant out of service for 2 days. People 
throughout the Richmond area lost their water service. In addition, the 
historic city of Richmond was put at great risk of fire. Luckily, there 
were no major fires in Richmond during the days that the water system 
was out of service. Still, the crisis demonstrated to me the need for a 
floodwall to safeguard the water filtration plant.
  The city of Richmond and the Corps of Engineers have come a long way 
toward completion of the floodwall and you have been very helpful and 
thoughtful as you considered my requests over the years.
  John, I am pleased to report the floodwall passed its first test when 
Hurricane Fran recently stormed up the east coast and several 
businesses in Richmond stayed dry. In years past, this was not the 
case. The city of Richmond thanks you and I thank you.
  John, you have upheld the honor and dignity of Congress during your 
30 years as a Member. You will be truly missed for the professional 
manner you conducted yourself as chairman and ranking minority member 
of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.
  You will always be remembered as the distinguished gentleman from the 
Seventh District of Indiana. I know you leave Congress with 30 years of 
good memories but I know you will enjoy spending more time with the 
grandkids and I know they will always be proud of their grand daddy.
  I wish you the best of luck in the future and may God bless you and 
Carol and your family.

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