[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1896-E1897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTES TO CONGRESSMEN JACOBS AND MYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 1996

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I am inserting these statements into the 
Congressional Record. They were to be given as part of a Special Order 
for Congressman Jacobs and Myers last week:

 Statement of the Honorable John Conyers, Jr., Praising the Career of 
                          Andrews Jacobs, Jr.

       There have been a number of colleagues with whom I have 
     become friends as well as legislators, but none as close to 
     me as Andy Jacobs. On January 4, 1965, we began an 
     intermittent association that makes me feel able to say that 
     I have a dear friend leaving Congress.
       Andy will be known and remembered for his unfailing ability 
     to bring a smile to your face no matter what is happening in 
     the Congress or in your lift. He believes that a laugh can 
     lift you, and I have come to believe it too. After all, he 
     has practiced more jokes on me than perhaps any other member 
     of the House within the course of our friendship.
       Now that he is ending his legislative career, may I reflect 
     upon several achievements that may not have been covered 
     during the course of our discussion. The first is the Viet 
     Nam War debates that were conceived by Representative Jacobs. 
     He led the fight to end the war in 1969, in an all night 
     session on the House floor. Andy's efforts led to the 
     beginning of the end of the Viet Nam War.
       The second matter is the Adam Clayton Powell Committee, to 
     which then Speaker John McCormack appointed us both. Through 
     his ability to persuade people, Andy was able to at least 
     have a hearing that afforded then Chairman Powell a modicum 
     of due process. He was skillful at it, and he was able to 
     turn away some of the intense emotion that led many members 
     to want to make short shrift of our jobs on the committee. 
     But Jacobs predicted with a usual clarity that any attempt to 
     ouster Chairman Powell would be rebuffed by a Supreme Court 
     which would be reluctant to allow us to determine who should 
     represent the people from a congressional district.

[[Page E1897]]

       The third matter was the impeacement hearings of Richard 
     Milhouse Nixon. And here again, Andy Jacobs was helping to 
     lead us to a decision that was inescapable in terms of our 
     duty; to recommend impeachment proceedings against a sitting 
     president.
       The years have been good to both Andy and myself. His 
     support on the homefront and in the family setting is a 
     beautiful one. I know his wife, Kimberly, and his children, 
     and Andy has never been happier; and I have never been 
     happier for him. He has truly been a man of the people, and I 
     can say that he has never compromised his beliefs in the 
     political arena or anywhere else. He is a leader, an 
     unusually forceful speaker, and a mental giant both in his 
     writing and his lawmaking. I wish him every continued 
     happiness from this day forward.
                                 ______
                                 

              Statement of the Honorable Michael Bilirakis


                     A Fond Farewell to John Myers

       I rise today to say farewell to a dear friend and colleague 
     who will be retiring at the end of this Congress--the 
     honorable John Myers from Indiana.
       Calling John Myers honorable is an understatement. He is 
     much more than that, and has served the citizens of the 7th 
     District of Indiana superbly since coming to Congress in 
     1967.
       John is one of the most well-liked and respected members of 
     the House of Representatives, and his departure will not only 
     be a loss for his constituents, but also for this venerable 
     institution that he devoted so much of his life to.
       In his time in Congress, John has been known as a staunch 
     fiscal conservative, and has backed up his words with 
     action--never voting to raise taxes. Since the day be began 
     his service until today, John has maintained his passion and 
     enthusiasm about debating the issues that affect his 
     constituents and our country.
       As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy 
     and Water Development, he has provided critical flood control 
     relief to his largely rural district. He has also been 
     instrumental in the continued funding of high-tech research 
     projects, such as new cancer treatments, at several state 
     universities in Indiana.
       As the third most senior member in the first GOP congress 
     in over forty years, John has been a forceful and influential 
     voice in determining the direction of important policy 
     initiatives. He has provided leadership and exuberance in 
     moving power and influence out of Washington and back to the 
     people where it belongs. His legacy of integrity and 
     legislative achievement has won him the respect, praise and 
     admiration of members from both parties, political pundits 
     and members of the media.
       Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my voice to those who are 
     bidding farewell to John Myers. John--congratulations on your 
     outstanding record of service, and best of luck to you and 
     your wonderful wife Carol in the future. You'll be missed.
                                 ______
                                 

        Statement of the Honorable Michael Bilirakis of Florida


             best wishes to andy jacobs upon his retirement

       I rise today to pay tribute and say goodbye to a close 
     friend and colleague who I have had the honor of serving with 
     in the House of Representatives, Andy Jacobs.
       Andy is one of the true gentlemen in Congress, and has 
     served admirably and with great fervor since coming to 
     Congress in 1965. He wasted no time getting into critical 
     legislation, and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, 
     helped write the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965.
       In 1969, Andy led a night long debate on the Vietnam War, 
     which the Washington Post described as ``the first serious 
     congressional discussion of U.S. policy in Vietnam.''
       As Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, 
     Andy has also played an integral role in shaping the Medicare 
     and Social Security programs. He has also been a leading 
     proponent of pre-school programs for educationally-
     disadvantaged children.
       Andy has been an exceedingly effective legislator in his 
     years in Congress, and had been praised by two Indianapolis 
     mayors for protecting the city's interests.
       Mr. Speaker, I will certainly miss Andy, and especially his 
     good humor. He could always brighten a dismal day with a 
     joke. In fact, he has been described as having a 
     ``Lincolnesque'' sense of humor.
       Congress is losing a fine man and a terrific legislator. I 
     am thankful for having served with such a fine man.

                          ____________________