[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12116-S12117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN LUNDY

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today is not simply he end of the 1st 
session of the 105th Congress. For me, this day is one that brings both 
new opportunities and old memories. Today marks the end of John Lundy's 
7 years of service to me, first as my administrative assistant and 
later as my chief of staff. He has also served the great State of 
Mississippi.
  To truly understand John and his impact on others, we must go back to 
his roots. John was raised on a farm in the small, rural town of 
Leland, MS. This upbringing taught him the meaning of community and the 
importance of family. He is a proud Mississippian, and still refers to 
the Delta as ``God's Country.'' John graduated from Mississippi State 
University with a degree in agriculture--I guess he couldn't get into 
Ole Miss.
  He then moved to Washington shortly thereafter and found a job on the 
staff of the Mississippi delegation in the House of Representatives. He 
was single, young and full of ambition. Who would have guessed that he 
would be returning to Mississippi 7 years later with a wife, a new baby 
girl and a truck full of furniture?
  When I asked John to join my staff, I knew he would be a quick study. 
He

[[Page S12117]]

was. He quickly jumped into the legislative fires with both feet.
  John also quickly became involved in the demands of Washington's 
political world, but he never lost his Mississippi style. Or his 
Mississippi perspective.
  Mississippians have told me for years how much they enjoy coming to 
Washington to see John. He makes everyone feel comfortable--no 
formalities, no pretenses. John can comfortably sit next to a farmer 
from the Delta or a banker from the coast and listen to his or her 
concerns. Visitors from the State are delighted to have one of their 
own paying attention to their needs, knowing that the message is not 
going to fade away the moment they leave. Mississippians knew that John 
was an able steward of their concerns, that telling John was as good as 
telling me.
  There isn't a farmer in the State of Mississippi that doesn't know 
John Lundy, either personally or by reputation. John's knowledge of our 
State's many agriculture communities is unmatched in Washington. He is 
respected for his understanding of the issues and his dedication to 
finding a fair and equitable solution for all.
  Mississippi's agriculture community was indeed fortunate to have John 
Lundy in Washington during the 1996 farm bill debate. I found that, 
although John was my staff member, other Senators had adopted him as 
their key advisor on this bill. His tireless work on this very 
difficult and complex legislation brought him the respect of both the 
State and national agriculture community.
  Most importantly, John has always put Mississippi first. No matter 
what the situation or how high the stakes, the needs of the State came 
first. We all know how easy it is to get caught up in both the glitter 
and the rat race of Washington, DC, but John's focus has always been 
hundreds of miles south of the beltway.
  Mississippians brought him problems, and he found them solutions. 
Many years have gone by since John joined my staff, but my admiration 
for him has grown with each passing day.
  Now the time has come for him to return to Mississippi, to take his 
young family back home. This past summer, he and his beautiful wife 
Hayley was blessed with a baby girl, Eliza, who John says ``was born to 
be in Mississippi.''
  As the Lundy family makes their way back to Mississippi, I would like 
to thank them for being such an important part of my life. I cannot 
thank John enough for his many years of hard work and dedication. He 
certainly leaves big shoes to fill. His quiet humility and generous 
spirit will be missed by my entire staff. I will miss his guidance and 
friendship.
  John, I wish you nothing but the best of luck in the future, May you 
and your family be richly blessed in the coming years.

                          ____________________