[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 100 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1553]]



                       J.C. WATTS, JR.--A BUILDER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 1999

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is with mixed emotions that I submit 
this statement for the Record. On one hand, I am always eager to 
express my great appreciation for the significant impact my friend and 
colleague, the Honorable J.C. Watts, Jr., has had on the direction and 
legislation developed during his tenure on the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee. On the other hand, I regret that I must 
announce a temporary leave of absence for Mr. Watts from the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the remainder of the 
106th Congress.
  As a member of the Committee J.C. provided critical support to 
legislation that impacted his congressional district, the state of 
Oklahoma, and the nation. Nearly 50 years ago, President Eisenhower 
recognized the need for a massive effort to build the infrastructure 
system of this great nation. He recognized that a robust infrastructure 
is vital to the economic health of America. In the same spirit of 
enterprise, J.C. Watts demonstrated his commitment to the nation by 
ensuring the committee continue its work in building America's 
infrastructure.
  J.C. Watts was a member of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee 
during the 105th Congress when the subcommittee developed landmark 
legislation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-
21), creating a firewall around the Highway Trust Fund, enabling 
America to build its infrastructure at a level unprecedented in 
history. His leadership was also instrumental during the first session 
of the 106th Congress as J.C. served on the Aviation Subcommittee. In 
the same way, the Aviation Subcommittee was successful in sponsoring 
watershed legislation for the aviation community, the Aviation 
Improvement and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), that took the 
aviation trust fund off budget and released unparalleled funding for 
the building of our nation's aviation infrastructure.
  I am proud to have had the opportunity to have J.C. represent 
Oklahoma and the rest of the Nation on a committee so vital to the 
heart of our economic stability and growth. While always focused on 
ensuring the nation's benefit was considered foremost, J.C. fought for 
and succeeded in ensuring an equitable distribution of funding for the 
state of Oklahoma.
  I am also pleased with the relationship I have developed with J.C. 
over the past four and one-half years. I have assured my friend that, 
although he may have accepted a leave of absence from the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he will continue to play a 
significant role on legislation impacting infrastructure issues as we 
continue to strive to build the heart of America.

                          ____________________