[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 155 (Saturday, December 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN GLENN POSHARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 19, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good 
friend, Congressman Glenn Poshard. Congressman Poshard has aptly served 
the Nineteenth Congressional District of Illinois for ten years. During 
his tenure in the House of Representatives, Glenn has stayed true to 
his strong morals and has done what was best for his constituents.
  With working-class roots of his own, Congressman Poshard has been one 
of the most ardent congressional supporters of working-class men and 
women. From his position on the House Committee on Small Business and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Poshard has also 
been a guardian of the economic interests of his district. For example, 
Congressman Poshard opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement, 
which he knew would cost many American working men and women their 
jobs. However, when it became clear that this flawed trade agreement 
would pass in the House of Representatives despite his opposition, 
Congressman Poshard sponsored an amendment to protect the domestic 
broom industry. There are many broom factories in the Nineteenth 
Congressional District and they are still thriving today because of 
Congressman Poshard.
  Congressman Poshard has a strong moral center that has greatly 
influenced his congressional career. Glenn is opposed to abortion and 
has been one of the most impassioned defenders of the unborn. A pro-
life Democrat like myself, Congressman Poshard has worked to protect 
the lives of the unborn and has worked to make the Democratic Party 
more open and welcoming to pro-life members. As a former teacher, Glenn 
has also worked to protect the needs of children. Glenn voted for 
welfare reform in 1996 but only after satisfying himself that the needs 
of children were addressed.
  Throughout his service in the House of Representatives, Glenn Poshard 
has fashioned himself as a citizen legislator. Since his first term in 
Congress, Glenn has shunned contributions from Political Action 
Committees. Instead, Glenn has relied on the support of his 
constituents. As he promised when he was elected in 1988, Congressman 
Poshard is leaving after five terms so that ``other folks have their 
shot at solving the problems.''
  My colleagues in the House of Representatives and I will miss Glenn 
Poshard. He is a gentleman, a statesman, and even a poet on occasion. 
Most of all, however, he is a good friend. Thank you, Congressman 
Poshard, for all of your hard work and support throughout your ten 
years in Congress. Congratulations on your numerous accomplishments 
which are too numerous to list here. And, good luck with all your 
future endeavors.

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