[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H5390-H5391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO JERRY GRANT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly unique 
individual who has served our country, my great State of Maryland, and 
the Congress of the United States for over four decades. Mr. Jerry 
Grant is one of the finest examples of people dedicated to standing up 
for what is right and fighting, both in the forefront and behind the 
scenes, to make our country a better place for all our citizens.
  Jerry turned 60 years old on July 1, and I would like to be one of 
the many to wish him a very happy birthday.
  Mr. Speaker, I first met Jerry when both of us were attending a 
national Young Democrats convention, he as the president of the Young 
Democrats of Colorado, and I as the president of the Young Democrats of 
Maryland. Even at that young age, Jerry made an indelible impression, 
with his uncanny ability to persuade people to listen to his point of 
view and come onto his side of an issue. The good thing about Jerry 
Grant is that he uses this talent in a positive manner, to influence 
opinion to the good of politics and the people involved.
  By 1972, Jerry was serving as a county commissioner of Adams County, 
Colorado. I am not sure whether this stint as a public official made 
him more sympathetic or critical of elected officials, but since then 
Jerry has served in a variety of non-elected positions, quietly and 
effectively making a difference in people's lives.
  Jerry served for 10 years as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Jim 
Sasser of Tennessee, earning the respect of fellow staff and Members of 
the Senate alike. Jerry was the guy who knew all of the ins and outs of 
an issue, and the person who people turned to when they were not 
exactly sure just where to be in a controversy.
  After promising himself and his family a quieter life outside the 
beltway,

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Jerry was coaxed back into the political fray by a young Maryland 
basketball star and Rhodes scholar, our former colleague, Tom McMillan. 
It was Jerry's strategy and guidance which helped Congressman McMillan 
win his first election to Congress in 1986. Jerry later served as Tom 
McMillan's Chief of Staff.
  Jerry Grant played an important role in the 1992 presidential 
election, helping Maryland garner the highest percentage of votes in 
that election for the Clinton-Gore ticket. Mr. Speaker, many elected 
officials owe a large measure of their success to Jerry Grant. He has 
worked with such leaders as Jimmy Carter, Walter Mondale, Roy Roemer, 
Hubert Humphrey, and Henry ``Scoop'' Jackson.
  On the local level, literally scores of elected officials in Maryland 
can credit their electoral wins to Jerry's counsel, advice, and maybe 
even sometimes a few of his jokes.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Jerry on his 60th birthday, and send my 
best wishes to my good friend, his lovely wife, Sue, and their entire 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, Jerry Grant has been fighting cancer for a number of 
years with the same kind of courage and integrity that he has lived his 
life. Throughout his life Jerry Grant has enriched his country and his 
community. I know that all of my colleagues join me in wishing him 
well, and a very happy birthday, indeed.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  (Ms. NORTON. addressed the House. Her remarks will appear hereafter 
in the Extensions of Remarks.)

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