[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE GERALD SOLOMON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. HERBERT H. BATEMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. BATEMAN. Mr. Speaker, regrettably, schedule conflicts on two 
occasions prevented me from joining in the tribute here on the House 
Floor to our departing colleague, Jerry Solomon. I would like to have 
contributed comments then. Since I could not, I ask these words be 
included at the appropriate point in the Record.
  Jerry Solomon is a number of things to me. On a personal level, he is 
a friend, one of my best friends in the Congress. He is also a 
neighbor, as my wife and I live in the same complex as Jerry and his 
wife, Freida, when she is in the area.
  From my earliest days as a member of the House, Jerry was friendly, 
open and willing to take his time to help a new member.
  Amazingly, even after he became Chairman of the Rules Committee, 
Jerry Solomon remained the same Jerry as before. He was accessible, 
interested and willing to help whenever his help did not conflict with 
his deeply held policy positions.
  Jerry is a highly skilled legislator. All Members of the Congress are 
patriots. They love their country. Jerry Solomon is an ardent patriot. 
He would be even if he was not a Marine Corp veteran, but being a 
Marine helps.
  I have heard Jerry in the forum of the North Atlantic Assembly, where 
he has served so ably and effectively defended and advocated the 
security interest of the United States of America.
  On this floor, and in the ways that the Chairman of the Rules 
Committee can make a difference, Jerry Solomon has been one of the 
strongest advocates for our military service, and on behalf of trying 
to keep us strong. He has been in the forefront of the efforts to 
preserve our much too threatened American Merchant Marine and American 
Merchant Mariners.
  For all this, and for much more, I salute my friend and neighbor, 
Jerry Solomon. You will indeed be missed.

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