[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
A TRIBUTE TO TWO OUTSTANDING CITIZENS FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in the wake of a
momentous vote to discuss not what lies ahead but to remember two who
have gone before, from my great State of Arizona. I first pay tribute
this afternoon to Governor Jack Williams, a dedicated public servant
who served as Governor of Arizona during challenging times from the
mid-1960s on through the early 1970s, an effective leader, a true
public servant, who reminded us all that public service is not always
equated with public office.
Jack Williams, for many years before serving as Governor of Arizona,
was a broadcaster. Mr. Speaker, his repeated broadcasts on KOY radio
were a source of inspiration and amusement to his fellow Arizonans and
every day he would conclude his broadcast commentary with a sign-off
saying, ``It is a beautiful day in Arizona. Let us all enjoy it.''
Arizonans enjoyed unparalleled economic prosperity during the
administration of Governor Jack Williams. He was a dedicated results-
oriented leader, but more than that, he was one who listened to all
Arizonans, one who never developed the trappings or the arrogance of
office; instead, always dedicated himself to the ideals of true public
service, whether as a broadcaster or later a mayor or finally as
governor of the great State of Arizona.
Because of Governor Williams' efforts, we remember him today and we
can honestly say, there is a great future for Arizona. Let us all enjoy
it.
Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that those in the punditocracy in the
light of current events and other procedures would say that the culture
of Washington has somehow denigrated, has somehow deteriorated, until
the politics of personality, I would make this observation, for I rise
today also to remember another Arizonan, not a member of my party, not
one who subscribed to the conservative philosophy to which I adhere,
but one who I believe needs to be recognized. His name was John Cox. He
aspired to service in this chamber and, Mr. Speaker, just last week, he
passed away, even as he had made plans again to challenge my good
friend and colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon) in the
First Congressional District of Arizona.
John Cox was not a man with whom I agreed but, Mr. Speaker, he was a
man whose company I enjoyed. Indeed, the last time we had a chance to
get together was at one of the great programs that has been run
nationally, where Americans got together to discuss the future of
Social Security. That meeting was scheduled in the Valley of the Sun in
the days immediately following the passing of Senator Barry Goldwater,
and it was during an honest, open dialogue and discussion, listening to
citizens of Arizona when John Cox leaned over to me and whispered in my
ear, I have something for you that I would like you to have that I
believe will mean far more to you. Even though it has great meaning for
me, I know it will have far more of a meaning to you.
Mr. Speaker, what John Cox gave me are the little replica of glasses
I wear on my lapel just above my Congressional pin, glasses that
symbolize allegiance to Barry Goldwater in the 1964 campaign. John
Cox's gesture bespeaks what is good about our political process because
in this chamber, even in these challenging days ahead, there will be
honest disagreements, sincerely held, passionately stated. Our Founders
experienced the same, in what Catherine Drinker Bowen calls the Miracle
at Philadelphia when they put together the document which we swear to
uphold and defend and indeed whose very presence we are mindful of
today at the outset of such momentous proceedings.
The examples of John Cox and Jack Williams suit all Americans. That
is why I pay tribute to them today and that is why they will not be
soon forgotten.
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