[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 112 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING FORMER U.S. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE LATE HENRY T. RAINEY

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 3, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize 
the extraordinary work of Carrollton's home town hero, former Speaker 
of the House Henry T. Rainey. A memorial to the famous resident will 
hang in the new visitors center in Alton. ``Rainey put the Alton area 
into the world trade and transportation market by pushing an 
appropriation through the U.S. House to build Locks and Dam 26 in Alton 
in 1938,'' Greene County historian Phil Alfred said. Rainey worked 
closely with President Roosevelt during the depression until his sudden 
death in 1934.
  Although Rainey served in Congress for thirty years and became one of 
the most powerful speakers in the history of the U.S. House, he never 
forgot his roots in Carrollton. He always came back to his farm to 
visit the people of his home town. My colleague Congressman Jerry 
Costello and I are extremely proud of the residents of the Alton area 
for taking pride in their community and honoring a great man.

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