[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H9335-H9336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO VIC FAZIO

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, during the course of the 
consideration of the energy and water bill, I was not able to be on the 
floor because I was doing other business on another committee. 
Therefore, I did not get an opportunity to rise to pay tribute to my 
colleague and one of the closest friends I have, not just in this 
institution but in my life, and that is Vic Fazio our colleague.
  He is about to, I think, have a colloquy about the schedule, acting 
in his leadership capacity. Very frankly, Mr. Speaker, Vic Fazio has 
been a leader of this House since I arrived here in 1981. He is an 
extraordinarily capable Member. He is a Member whose integrity and 
intellect will match anybody, not

[[Page H9336]]

only in this institution but in our country. He has chosen to leave 
this body and this body will be a lesser place for that decision.
  I wanted to take, Mr. Speaker, this short, brief minute to stand and 
say to him, thank you. During the 5\1/2\ years that I served as 
chairman of the caucus, Vic was my vice chair, and I was proud to have 
him serving with me. During his time as chairman of the DCCC, I was one 
of his strongest supporters.
  During the decade that he headed the Subcommittee on Legislative of 
the Committee on Appropriations and served this institution and its 
Members and the citizens of this Nation so well in ensuring the 
effective operation of the people's House, I was proud to be his strong 
supporter.
  During the last four years he has chaired the Democratic caucus. One 
of the hallmarks of his leadership was a partisan commitment to the 
issues and principles for which our party stands. But I know that my 
colleagues on the majority side also found in Vic Fazio a gentleman who 
was interested in the interests of America and was willing and able and 
desirous of working with the other side in a collegial way to effect 
progress in this House on behalf of this country and its citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise to say to one of 
the closest friends I have that we are going to miss you. I am going to 
miss you. This institution is going to miss you.
  The good news for all of us is that Vic Fazio will be around. He 
hopefully will stay in Washington. I know he will go back to his 
beloved California frequently, but hopefully he and his beloved wife, 
Judy, an extraordinary individual in her own right, will be here, and 
we will see him frequently and have the opportunity to benefit from his 
advice and counsel and his leadership.
  Vic, you have been one of the extraordinary Members of this House. 
The House is a better place for your service, and our country is better 
for your service.

                          ____________________