[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OCTOBER 29, 1997--EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF HON. 
      WALTER H. CAPPS, REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 1997

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today to mourn the 
untimely passing of Congressman Walter Capps.
  Walter possessed great moral integrity and deep rooted religious 
values which he combined with a devotion to his community and our 
country. Walter Capps was a community leader, not a career politician. 
If there were conflicting political differences, Walter would seek 
common ground.
  On an ideological level, Walter Capps and I were political allies, on 
a personal level we were good friends and I will sorely miss him. I own 
a trailer on a hunting ranch in Walter's district and every time I made 
it up there, I would try to stop by and visit him. Everybody admired 
Walter for his vitality and conviction to issues like quality schools, 
safe streets, affordable health care, and financial security for the 
elderly.
  Walter Capps brought a fresh perspective to Congress, a desire to 
improve the lives of his constituents, enrich his community, and 
restore the bond of trust between our Government and the people. Walter 
always believed that our Government should be as good as the people it 
serves.
  My condolences go out to Walter's wife, Lois, who has lost a great 
husband, to Lisa, Todd, and Laura who have lost a great father and to 
the thousands of people who's lives Walter has touched.

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