[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E23-E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN E. MOSS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to join today with my 
colleagues in tribute to one of the giants of the House of 
Representatives, John E. Moss.
  He retired from his career in this body in 1978. But the inspiration 
he gave to the members who learned at his side is with us still.
  I was privileged to begin my career in Congress as a member of the 
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of what was then the 
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. John Moss chaired that 
Subcommittee. He taught us all what tough, fair, tenacious, and totally 
professional investigatory work could be. He used his power to make 
Government programs and bureaucracy do what they were supposed to do: 
carry out the laws and serve the public. And he did it whether the 
cause was popular or not, embarassing to the Administration or his own 
party or not, whether he had to stand alone or not.
  I particularly remember some of the early work he did around the 
issues of nursing home conditions, unnecessary surgery, and

[[Page E24]]

abuses by prepaid health plans. They were trailblazers.
  We all know of the commitment and achievements of John Moss to open 
up government information to ordinary citizens through the Freedom of 
Information Act. We know of his achievements in the fields of product 
safety and consumer protection. But perhaps not so widely known is the 
influence his example and integrity had on so many other Members and 
staff. Mike Lemov, who served as his Chief Counsel on Oversight, said 
recently in a tribute to his Chairman that John Moss invariably 
championed the underdog, and relished uphill fights. And that sums him 
up as well as any words could. He was in many ways, for so many of us, 
the conscience of the House.
  If it needed to be done for the little guy, he was ready to do it. If 
he needed to take on big business or big government, the Defense 
Department or the drug companies, he was there. And he did it with 
thorough, effective, untiring work.
  I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to serve with 
him. He has been gone from this House for many years, but the public 
that he championed continues to benefit because of his work and 
accomplishments. We would all be proud to leave such a legacy.

                          ____________________