[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1880-E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CHAIRMEN WALKER AND CLINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. McDADE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 1996

  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to take this opportunity 
to recognize the exceptional contributions of two native sons of the 
commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Robert S. Walker and William F. Clinger, 
Jr. We thank them for their decades of service to their congressional 
districts, to the commonwealth and to our Nation as they plan to retire 
from the House of Representatives at the end of their Congress.
  A am also pleased to share with you remarks by Pennsylvania Governor 
Tom Ridge honoring Bob Walker and Bill Clinger.

Remarks by Governor Tom Ridge, Honoring the Retirement of the Honorable 
                               Bob Walker

       It is a pleasure for me to join my colleagues in 
     recognizing and honoring the good work of Bob Walker upon his 
     retirement after 20 years of service in the House of 
     Representatives. Let me share with my colleagues a brief 
     story that speaks to Bob's legacy.
       Several years ago, as a member of the Veterans' Affair 
     Committed, I traveled to Florida for a hearing with our good 
     friend, Congressman Mike Bilirakis. An older woman, working 
     at the hotel, discovered I was a Member of Congress, member 
     of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a veteran myself. She 
     asked me to call her husband who was a disabled veteran and 
     confined to their home.
       After some polite conversation and pleasantries, the man 
     inquired again about my name. I reminded him that it was Tom 
     Ridge of Pennsylvania. He admitted that he watched Congress 
     on C-SPAN often and that he was not familiar with me. But his 
     voice got stronger and a little more excited when he asked if 
     I knew Congressman Bob Walker who he thought was doing a 
     wonderful job.
       This man observed on television what we learned to 
     appreciate in this Chamber. For years the minority relied 
     upon Bob's perseverance, tenacity and focus to protect the 
     rights of his Republican colleagues and challenge the ideals 
     of his Democratic counterparts. For years he served his 
     party, this institution and the country by challenging 
     procedure and process to ensure that the minority voice and 
     opinion would be heard. We have all witnessed, hundreds of 
     times, Bob engaged in a colloquy with members on the other 
     side demanding explanations of ruling from the Chair, 
     justification for limiting debate, and explanations for more 
     money and new programs. We can all give witness to the 
     simple, but important, fact that he never did so in a 
     personally offensive, malicious or mean-spirited manner.
       There has always been and must always be concern in this 
     country about protecting the rights of minorities, whatever 
     that consistency might be. No one during my twelve years in 
     the House of Representatives did a better job of protecting 
     the rights of the political minority to disagree without 
     being personally disagreeable than Bob. In the People's 
     House, no one better understood or worked harder to ensure 
     that all sides of the issue were aired before final 
     disposition that Bob Walker. I thank him for his 
     extraordinary service to the House of Representatives and to 
     his country.
                                                                    ____


Remarks by Governor Tom Ridge, Honoring the Retirement of the Honorable 
                              Bill Clinger

       It is a personal pleasure for me to join Bill Clinger's 
     colleagues to acknowledge his extraordinary service as a 
     Member of the House of Representatives for the past 18 years. 
     We honor him for his proud and substantive legacy of 
     legislative work and accomplishments. This achievement is 
     well documented throughout the Congressional Record and 
     committee reports. These chronicles, however, do not 
     necessarily reflect those personal qualities that made his 
     service truly a model for those who succeed him.
       I join my colleagues this evening not to review what Bill 
     Clinger has done as a Member of Congress, but how he has done 
     it. For as Henry David Thoreau once wrote, ``I know of no 
     more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man 
     to elevate his life by a conscience endeavor.'' Bill's 
     contributions were not only matters of public policy, but 
     also of attitude and approach. He will always be remembered 
     and respected for the great civility of style and tone he 
     brought to cordial discourse throughout his entire career. 
     His entire public life speaks to the ability to advocate 
     strong beliefs with conviction, compassion and civility.

[[Page E1881]]

       The public is legitimately concerned about the manner in 
     which the people's business is often conducted in Washington. 
     There are far too many occasions of rancorous, personally-
     directed, highly partisan and self-righteous debate in public 
     chambers. And so, some have categorized the politics of 
     governing as a contact sport; others, as a blood sport. 
     Clearly, it can be a spirited, rough and tumble profession 
     where one's ability to remain calm and thoughtful amidst 
     challenge and criticism is frequently tested. The record 
     should reflect that Bill Clinger always passed this test, 
     keeping intact his integrity and character. His gentle 
     manner, thoughtful ways and congenial disposition gave him 
     enormous credibility and earned him the deep and lasting 
     admiration and respect of his colleagues.
       During my twelve years in the House of Representatives, I 
     had many opportunities to work with my friend and neighboring 
     Congressman from northwestern Pennsylvania. I will always be 
     grateful for Bill's counsel and friendship. As America looks 
     for a model of integrity, purposefulness, commitment and 
     energy for its public servants to follow, there could be no 
     better norm or standard than that set by my friend, Bill 
     Clinger.

  The Pennsylvania congressional delegation has a long tradition of 
close, bipartisan cooperation. While we have not always agreed, we have 
relied on the valuable dialog with our Pennsylvania colleagues and with 
Pennsylvania Governors of both parties to promote the interests of 
those citizens whom we are all proud to represent.
  With the convening of the 104th Congress, the four committee chairmen 
from the Pennsylvania delegation built on our long history of open, 
candid debate. Chairman Walker and Chairman Clinger are part of a 
distinguished tradition of Pennsylvania leadership in the House that 
goes back to the first Speaker of the House--Frederick Augustus Conrad 
Muhlenberg.
  Robert S. Walker was first selected in 1976, and his constituents 
from the 16th District have sent him back to each succeeding Congress. 
Some of you may not realize it, but Bob's expertise on the rules and 
procedures of the House comes not only from his 20 years as a Member. 
He served for 10 years as a legislative assistant and administrative 
assistant to Congressman Edwin Duing Eshleman of Lancaster County.
  Under Bob's able leadership, the House Committee on Science reported 
the Space Commercialization Promotion Act of 1996, which will encourage 
the development of a commercial space industry in the United States.
  Bob Walker was the original sponsor of the only statutory provision 
in present law protecting students' rights to voluntary school prayer. 
I want to commend him on this noble effort in particular because I 
recognize the challenge it posed and concur with him on the importance 
of affording our young people their constitutional rights. Well done, 
Bob, and best wishes.
  Bill Clinger won his first bid for elective office in 1978, and took 
a seat in the 96th Congress. The people of the Fifth District of 
Pennsylvania have reelected Bill  ever since--twice with no candidate 
standing in opposition.
  As the chairman of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee in 
the 104th Congress, Bill shepherded key elements of the Contract With 
America through the Congress and saw them enacted into law. The Line-
Item Veto Act of 1996 and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 both 
represent Bill's vigilant efforts to promote good government for which 
I commend him.
  The Federal Acquisition Reform Act is another important legislative 
legacy from Chairman Clinger. It will allow our Government to cut 
through needless paperwork and reduce inefficiencies in Federal 
procurement procedures.
  Bill's 17-county congressional district borders may own, and our 
districts have many similar needs. I have long valued his good counsel 
and loyal friend. All who know Bill recognize his dignity and 
integrity.
  Bill, Bob,  we miss you both. But you leave knowing that this is a 
better Nation for your service. Thank you and good luck.

                          ____________________