[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 18, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10242-H10254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JOHN E. PORTER, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Under the Speaker's announced
policy of January 6, 1999, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
is recognized for 60 minutes.
General Leave
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on the subject of the Porter special
order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to host this
special order tonight for the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter), and
I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis) for giving up
his time to allow us to honor this very special gentleman tonight.
The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) is retiring, after serving
in Congress for 21 years. It is difficult for those of us who are
gathered to honor John tonight to sum up in the short time everything
that he has done for the 10th Congressional District of Illinois and
for his country since joining this body in 1980. It is my hope, based
on the words that my colleagues and I will offer tonight, that all who
are within the sound of our voices will understand the tremendous
character of this man and all that he has accomplished, most notably in
the areas of human rights, health research, and protecting the
environment.
It is also my hope that based on our comments John Porter will know
how well-respected he is, not only by his congressional colleagues but
by the elected officials of his home State and district, his staff,
former staff, his constituents, and the many groups who have had the
pleasure of working with him throughout the years.
Tonight, Mr. Speaker, we will hear of the legacy John has created
during his years of service in this body. We will hear a small part of
the large impact he has made on his district, his State, his country,
and the world.
I have a confession to make. I am an unabashed John Porter fan. It is
not because I have lived for many years in his district and know how
well his leadership and his views suit those of his constituents there,
nor is it because of the small kindnesses he has always personally
shown to me. Those are reasons enough to sing the praises of this
wonderful man. Like hundreds of thousands of men and women in Illinois,
throughout the United States and around the four corners of this globe,
I know and love this man for his great
[[Page H10243]]
humanity, his concern for the underdog, and his unquestioned commitment
to making this world a better place in which to live.
When I was elected in 1998, to serve the people of the 13th District
of Illinois here in Congress, I knew that it would be helpful for me to
look at the other members of the Illinois delegation for guidance.
Knowing his excellent reputation, John Porter was the first person I
sought out. Asking him for input was easy, given our similar political
ideologies. However, I doubt John, and the ease with which he provided
advice, fully understood how much guidance he truly gave.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I am going to turn to some of my colleagues
so that they too can share their thoughts on our dear friend. And I
will first yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood). As my
colleagues know, before his election, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
LaHood) served as the chief of staff to then House minority leader, Bob
Michel of Illinois. In this capacity he had the opportunity to work on
a number of issues with John Porter and, as a result, probably knows
him as well or better than any other Member in this body.
I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the time that has been set
aside here by the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) to honor our
colleague, John Porter.
Mr. Speaker, John deserves to be honored. John has been an
outstanding Member of this body. Prior to coming to the House of
Representatives, he served with great distinction in the Illinois House
of Representatives.
John has known political turmoil in his life because he has been
through some very, very tough elections. I think people who have not
really followed his career should know that John is probably as good a
politician as there is. In order to get to this body, one has to be a
politician, and John has been, particularly in the early days of his
election to the House of Representatives, come through some very, very
close elections in the district that he represents.
John represents a district north of Chicago, primarily Lake and
McHenry County, Lake County primarily, and it is an area that is not
really considered a suburban area of Chicago but kind of an entity unto
its own. His district runs right up against the Wisconsin border. John
has done so well in representing his district that the last several
years, he has had elections that were less contentious and the people
of his district have recognized the many good things that he has been
able to do.
Serving on the Committee on Appropriations, John is known as a
cardinal. What that means is that he is a chairman of a subcommittee.
If not the most important, certainly one of the most important
subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations, the Labor-HHS
subcommittee, which is the subcommittee that really looks very
carefully at dollars that are provided for medical care and dollars
that are provided for research. And John has really set a legacy for
himself in terms of his commitment to cancer research, to Alzheimer's
research, to AIDS research, and to so many of the real, real serious
kinds of diseases that face our country.
John Porter has been at the forefront of making a commitment of
dollars to really find cures for these dreaded diseases; as I said,
whether it be cancer or Alzheimer's or AIDS, or any other number of
diseases. So he has been a leader in this area. And I really think it
will be his legacy that he will be remembered for the enormous
commitment that he made to research and particularly research to the
National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and so
many of these programs here in Washington that try to reach out and
find the very best people in America to help us find cures for these
dreaded diseases.
John has been a wonderful public servant not only for the 10th
district but also for the State of Illinois and for the country. He has
been a strong, strong leader in human rights and has lead the cause of
human rights in many different parts of the world that go unrecognized
in so many ways because they do not always get the headlines. But I
think those people that have worked with John on human rights issues
recognize the leadership that he has provided in that area.
{time} 2145
So an outstanding career, an outstanding career of leadership, an
outstanding career of commitment to the people of Illinois, to the
people of the 10th district, and to the people of this country.
John has also been a regular attender of our delegation lunches. And
those of us that attend those very regularly, as I know the gentlewoman
from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Ewing) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), do enjoy sharing
our apple pie with John. Because of all I guess the funny things I will
remember about John is that he loves apple pie, and he cannot sit
through a lunch with just one piece of apple pie. And so the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) or myself or somebody is always passing him
an additional piece of apple pie. That is something that I think I will
always remember about John in terms of sort of the funny things, the
humorous things, the human things that happen in this business.
So we will miss John for his leadership and his commitment. I am
delighted to have had a chance to say a word or two about his
leadership, and I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois for setting aside
this time to do that.
I know that all of us wish John Porter good luck and Godspeed in
whatever he does. We will surely miss him.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. Is
it not curious that it is always the thinnest people that can eat two
pieces of pie while the rest of us try to avoid them so we can pass
them on to him?
Mr. LaHOOD. I would agree.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, the other area that the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. LaHood) and I see a lot of the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Porter) is at the ``Tuesday Lunch Bunch That Meets on Wednesday
But Does Not Have Lunch Group.'' We spent meetings once a week to
discuss issues that are important to those of us that belong in that
group what we call the ``Republican Moderates.''
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize my friend and colleague, the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).
I should note that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) will
hold a similar special order next week for another Member from Illinois
who is retiring from the 106th Congress, the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Ewing), who we will hear from in just a few minutes. But,
unfortunately, we are losing two great members of the Illinois
delegation due to retirement this year, and it is our pleasure to honor
both of them.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) for arranging this special order. I wish we did
not have to have our next one next week. I wish we were finished with
our business. But I look forward to taking up that cause next week.
Of course we are here to pay tribute to who has become a good friend
of mine, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter), who is retiring. It
has really been an honor and a privilege to serve with him in the House
of Representatives.
I have always been impressed by his commitment to his ideas and his
beliefs. He has always been a gentleman and treated even newbies like
myself as a colleague and as an equal. I have learned much about the
process in this House of Representatives by observing how John Porter
has gone about doing his business, and I appreciated his tutelage and
his friendship.
Most important, however, is that I have a newfound respect for our
Nation's efforts and ongoing need for medical research. As we all know
here, and it is nice to be able to publicly acclaim the ongoing efforts
of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) to increase Federal funding
for medical research as our colleague and friend, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. LaHood), just mentioned.
Prior to coming to Congress, I had little knowledge of how much our
Government played in the fight against diseases and how much it
emphasized
[[Page H10244]]
medical research. Thanks to John, I now not only understand that role,
but I am now an advocate for expanding it.
Far too many of us do not think of sickness or diseases until we have
a loved one who is faced with it. We are lucky and the Nation is lucky
to have a person like John Porter who has worked hard to ensure that
quality health care will be available when we need it.
There are many people involved in providing health care, whether it
is the hospitals, big inner-city hospitals or rural hospitals,
community health centers, home health, visiting nurses, you name it,
there are many people working diligently in the fields. Most of them
are working long hours for little to no pay. They have an advocate here
in Washington, D.C., who has also worked numerous long hours, sometimes
without recognition, a champion in health care and health care delivery
and medical research. And that is Mr. John Porter.
We have benefited from his time here in this body. We have benefited
as a people. We have benefited as colleagues. We have benefited as a
Nation. I have benefited personally from observing his leadership and
his thoughtful, deliberate process to help in the benefit of all.
I would really like to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs.
Biggert) for arranging this special order and paying tribute to our
colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter). It is an important
thing to do before we adjourn in this Congress, and her thoughtfulness
in remembering him goes a long way and adds to her credentials as being
a great new Member who we are glad to have here.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments.
Mr. Speaker, it really is a pleasure to be on the Illinois
delegation. I think that we have had such a unique opportunity for both
sides of the aisle to work so carefully together. So I think that we
are going to miss the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) so much
because of his contribution to that Illinois delegation.
We have another Member, as I mentioned before, from Illinois. So I am
pleased to recognize the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing), my friend
and colleague. Unfortunately, like the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Porter), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) is stepping down at
the end of this Congress. That is not the only thing that these two men
have in common, however.
Much, like they have been in this body for 9 years together. The
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) and the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Porter) served together in the Illinois General Assembly in the
mid-1970s. So they have been traveling on the same circuit for a long
time. I am happy to have the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) here
to say something about the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter).
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing).
Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman very much for putting
this special order together for our friend, the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Porter), and for allowing me to take a few minutes to talk about
John and some of the experiences that we have experienced over the
years.
I must say that the gentlewoman is a wonderful addition to our
delegation and she is such a good participant in all that we do here
and I appreciate that and I will miss working with her.
The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) though has spent 11 terms
here in this body. That is hard to believe, but that is 22 years.
Prior to that, as the gentlewoman said, he was in the Illinois
Assembly. I was kind of looking back at my figures here and I realized
that John came 2 years before I did. He will have had a career of 28
years in public office. And at the end of my term, I will have put in
26 years.
Besides that, John and I had offices next to each other in
Springfield in, I think it is, the Illinois State Office Building
behind the Capitol. So we shared a great many things. I do not think we
had to share a secretary, as many members do share a secretary, but we
did not have the same one. But we would be in there late at night,
which is the way the legislature operated back then, and we would have
a lot of time to visit about family and our children and those things.
So John and I reached a deep friendship early on in our political
career.
John then ran for Congress. I do not know exactly how that was, but
he ran three times to get to Congress for one term. And there was, I
think, an election he lost and than a special election. And then by the
time he had done those two elections, it was time for the next election
to get him a full term here. So he worked very hard to become a Member
of Congress.
After he got here, he went on the Committee on Appropriations. And as
he leaves, he leaves as one of the 13 cardinals of that committee,
which is an attainment that many here would like to emulate. Few get
the opportunity to be one of the cardinals in the appropriations
process.
I have heard my other colleagues, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
LaHood) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), talk about some
of his priorities there. And I know that John has had a very kind
heart. He is certainly a compassionate conservative in the best sense
of the word.
John is a very quiet man. His area now is Labor HHS, one of the
hardest of the appropriation bills to pass. And while I know that that
sometimes worries John greatly at the end of the sessions, I have seen
him go through that, he is always so mild mannered about it. I do not
know if I could keep my restraint as much as John does in handling that
bill and all the rhetoric that goes on on this floor about that bill.
But he has done many other things in his career here. He has been a
great supporter of the Pottawattamie Airport and the Waukegan Regional
Airport. And through those efforts, those institutions in his area, his
district, have grown and they brought air service to northern Illinois
and he has helped secure the funding for very important improvements
there.
The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) also worked to help local
school districts particularly address the shortfall in impact in
Federal aid. This may seem like kind of a strange thing to talk about,
but that is very important to school districts. Because when they do
not get that Federal aid, they have got to reach into their pocket and
take it out of the money that they normally would have to spend for
education that they get out of their local tax dollars. And that
Federal aid comes because of the military people who were in those
school districts, and that is very important.
He has been an advocate for strengthening ethics in Government and
reforming the way this institution, the U.S. Congress, operates.
The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) has advanced legislation to
make urgently needed improvements in Congress's internal standards, and
I think that we should thank him for that. That is a thankless job but
one that we have to continue to work on always.
He has been a fighter against drunk driving and instrumental in the
passage of legislation mandating a 21-year-old drinking age in this
country.
He has worked to prevent the spread of chemical weapons. He authored
the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Act and directed
the Secretary of Commerce to develop effective export controls to
prevent the spread of deadly chemical and biological weapons to other
nations.
He has been a leading voice in support of human rights and democratic
reforms in China and Hong Kong. He led the successful effort to defend
the Great Lakes Naval Training Center against the threat of closure
during the most recent round of cutbacks considered by the Base
Realignment and Closure Commission. The decision to keep this center
open is expected to bring 8,000 jobs to his area.
Did my colleagues know that that is the only base we have in
Illinois? Many States have a number of military installations.
Sometimes we talk about how much comes back to our State in tax
dollars. Well, one reason we are a little behind some of our sister
States is that we only have one major military installation left in our
State, where we used to have a number of them. The gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Porter) is to receive the thanks for protecting that
important installation.
I would just say in closing that I consider John Porter a true
friend, a real gentleman, a fine legislator, and I know that he will go
on to do many,
[[Page H10245]]
many other fine things in service of his country and his State.
I thank the gentlewoman very much for allowing me the time to talk
about my friend.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to hear what the
gentleman had to say about him. I know that he is both of our friends,
and we will miss him. It is nice that the gentleman has expressed that
so eloquently.
{time} 2200
We will now move to Arkansas. I am pleased to yield the gentleman
from Arkansas (Mr. Dickey). The gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Dickey)
serves on the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education of which John Porter is the chairman.
So given the attention and controversy that our appropriation bill
always seems to attract, I know that John Porter and the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Dickey) have gone through some interesting battles
together. So I am happy that the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Dickey)
could join us tonight to honor our friend John Porter.
Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs.
Biggert) for her thoughtfulness in remembering this fine gentleman.
I would like to state a little bit for the listeners and the viewers
just exactly what type of a committee he has been the chairman of. The
Committee on Appropriations has 13 subcommittees. One subcommittee is
called the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education. It has over maybe 820 agencies or programs that it
administers. John Porter is the chairman, and I have been a committee
member now for 6 years. This will be my sixth year.
A chairman and the subcommittee members get to know each other quite
well. They first of all have to jockey for positions to see who is
doing what and what positions we have and what favors and corresponding
votes that you give and take, and then you set about trying to find out
exactly what the purpose of the committee is.
John Porter took this chairmanship as if he was made for it. It is
the most amazing match I have ever seen. Of course, he had been on it
as a minority member for some time but as chairman I have sat and
watched him and listened to story after story after story of pain,
suffering and human misery. He has done it always with attention and he
has asked questions. We sometimes in this committee get what is called
compassion fatigue. We hear these sad stories and all of these
circumstances where people are just left out alone and this committee
is the one with the heart, as I call it, of the Committee on
Appropriations and we are the ones that go out and try to help others.
John Edward, as I call him, has been just a wonderful, patient
listener and been an active participant in trying to help use the
Federal resources to help the people who are suffering.
As that chairman, he has shown a great gift in bipartisanship, and
that is one of the reasons why he can come to this floor and pass these
bills. We sometimes have to pass them with just Republican votes,
sometimes with Republican and Democrat votes, but mainly it is because
of the controversy in the legislation, it is generally considered
liberal. The appropriations are considered liberal. He goes and he
tells the story and he does not do it in a bragging sort of way or in
an emotional sort of way, and maybe he is not even charismatic in his
approach but he just methodically explains each part of the bill and he
answers questions and he gets the rhetoric from the other side, the
loyal opposition as we call it, and I think it is a great thing to
watch him go about it.
He led me quite a bit in health care, in that I could not quite
understand what our commitment was and the number of dollars that we
were spending, let us say on the National Institutes of Health. He kept
saying, no, this is the thing we ought to do and this will be something
that you will look back over the years as being the best thing that you
have done on any of these committees; and he is probably right.
Dr. Francis Collins came to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in my district not
long ago and explained the human genome project. That would not have
been done, in my opinion, without John Edward Porter being there trying
to in a five-year period of time double the budget of the National
Institutes of Health. He had a vision for what that institute, the
National Institutes of Health, could do and then he stayed with it.
He was constantly going over there. He was taking us over there. He
was having their staff come and explain things to us, but without his
leadership and understanding I do not think it would have ever worked.
I have also had an opportunity to go with him on a human rights and
health mission to China and Cambodia and Hong Kong and other places,
and I not only watched how he was able to speak to the people of those
countries and in a knowing way he had been there before or he had
talked to them or they had been to America and he had visited with them
there and he was an outstanding spokesman. The chairman of the CODEL,
as we call it, always leads the introduction and always gives the
acceptance to the welcome in each country and he was an outstanding
ambassador for our country. I mean, he was so well spoken and calm and
did such a good job representing what we consider the best of our
country, and that is our concern for people who are suffering and who
need care.
Some of the things that we worked on besides the NIH was TRIO, where
we rescued the program from a cut. TRIO is a program that encourages
kids who are not from a family whose parents are college graduates and
which says if you want to stay after school, if you want to stay on the
weekends, if you want to come back and have extra work in the summer,
we will match your ambition with assistance. Money has been added for
the TRIO program year after year after year.
AHEC, which is a program providing for health care to rural areas,
has seen a dramatic increase. Head Start has seen a dramatic increase
in our committee. All of this shows what John Edward Porter was doing
as a leader.
There are some problems that I have had with him, of course. In the
early days, a chairman just kind of controls things. He is kind of
upset about it so I was always badgering him and keeping him with
amendments and he was having to deal with my activist type of approach.
He is completely different in that respect, and he is always well
prepared, always thinks out his product and it is kind of hard for him
to see some of us who were just firing off in several different
directions at once. One time in particular it was late at night, I can
remember, like 11:00 or 12:00 at night and everybody was talking in the
committee and I just stood up kind of kiddingly and said, Mr. Chairman,
I think you have lost control of this meeting, and he said one reason I
have lost control is you are standing up. Why do you not sit down?
He had that way of doing it. So I sat down and we got on with the
business, but he got a kick out of that.
I think one of the reasons, and he will not admit it, but one of the
reasons he is leaving is because we have term limits in the
chairmanships. We have imposed that on ourselves in the House rules. He
has a term limit. He knows that he could not go to another committee
that would be as satisfying in his heart and his soul as this one. He
knows if he went to another committee he could be chairman, but that he
might want to stay here and not being chairman is a factor. I think
this might be laid at the feet of term limits, the term limits program;
but he probably would not say it. He is too much of a gentleman to say
something like that.
I am going to miss him. It might surprise him for me to say that
because we have really fought hard on several different issues and
compromised and worked out our differences as we have had them, but he
is such a fine gentleman. It is a pleasure for me to participate in
this special order for John Edward Porter. We will miss you, John.
Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Dickey) for
his comments. It is nice to hear from somebody who has worked so
closely with Mr. Porter and had such a wonderful experience from it.
I would like to enter into the record, as I said before I had some
statements, and this is from Governor George Ryan the governor of the
State of Illinois. I am going to read some of it. I will not read the
whole thing but that will be
[[Page H10246]]
submitted for the record. This letter says,
Dear John, on behalf of the State of Illinois please accept
our heartfelt gratitude for your extraordinary contributions
during a lifetime of public service. On the occasion of your
retirement from the U.S. Congress, it is fair to recognize
and applaud what you have accomplished for your constituents,
for people within Illinois and throughout the United States.
It is also not an exaggeration to highlight the fact that
your leadership in human rights and on environmental issues
has benefited people around the world. You are a strong
advocate for a thoughtful Federal appropriations process, a
clean environment and adequate funding for the arts.
You have earned an influential role among the green
Republicans to fight for the Nation's environmental interests
in Congress. And you are only one of five House members ever
to be appointed to the board of directors of the Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts. Your service in Illinois
began in the Illinois House of Representatives during 1972
and I am proud that we served together in the State House
before you were elected to Congress in 1980. Those of us who
were fortunate to work with you then have not been surprised
by what you have accomplished since. As a champion and
supporter of the National Institutes of Health, your efforts
have helped the Institute bring about numerous medical and
health advances. You have successfully advocated Federal
funding to expand the Metro commuter rails into the northern
suburbs of Illinois, including many towns in your district.
The 290 acres of open space at Fort Sheridan is an outgrowth
of your creative determination and ability to persuade the
Federal Government to transfer the land to the Lake County
Forest Preserve District when Fort Sheridan was closed. That
this land transfer occurred without cost to the district and
continues to exist as an open space for all to enjoy is among
your most special contributions. The Great Lakes Naval
Station remains open, viable and an economic anchor in
Illinois because of your efforts. Among the critical military
missions conducted here is Navy and Coast Guard training.
Your commitment and effectiveness as an advocate of free
trade continues to produce immeasurable economic benefits for
the people of Illinois. Our farmers have more markets in
which to sell their crops and livestock. Our business
community has additional opportunities to positively impact
their bottom line. Our workers enjoy a more stable work
environment with better compensation.
Additional contributions that will not be forgotten include
your efforts for comprehensive flood control measures for the
north branch of the Chicago River; the enhancement of safety
and operational capacities at Waukegan Airport, including new
instrument landing equipment and runway improvements.
Waukegan Harbor has been cleaned up with Federal resources
and payments you helped secure from the firm who did the
polluting.
On behalf of my family and our shared constituents within
all walks of life in Illinois, thank you for all you have
accomplished. Your ideas and experience and voice in Congress
will be sorely missed. We wish you the very best in your next
endeavor and hope that it brings you all the joy and
happiness that you deserve. Please extend our very best
regards to your entire family and especially your children,
John, Ann, David, Robin and Donna. Sincerely George H. Ryan,
Governor.
State of Illinois,
Washington Office,
Washington, DC, October 11, 2000.
Hon. John Edward Porter,
Chairman, Labor, Health & Human Services and Education
Appropriations Subcommittee, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear John: On behalf of the State of Illinois, please
accept our heartfelt gratitude for your extraordinary
contributions during a lifetime of public service.
On the occasion of your retirement from the US Congress,
it's fair to recognize and applaud what you have accomplished
for your constituents, for people within Illinois and
throughout the United States. It's also not an exaggeration
to highlight the fact that your leadership in human rights
and on environmental issues has benefited people around the
world.
You are a strong advocate for a thoughtful federal
appropriations process, a clean environment and adequate
funding for the arts. You have earned an influential role
among the ``Green Republicans'' to fight for the nation's
environmental interests in Congress. And you are one of only
five House members ever to be appointed to the Board of
Directors of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Your service in Illinois began in the Illinois House of
Representatives during 1972 and I'm proud that we served
together in the State House before you were elected to
Congress in 1980. Those of us who were fortunate to work with
you then haven't been surprised by what you have accomplished
since.
The National Institutes of Health and biomedical research
have been huge beneficiaries of your legislative skills and
your leadership as Chairman of the Labor/HHS Appropriation
Subcommittee. As a champion and supporter of the NIH, your
efforts have helped the Institute bring about numerous
medical and health advances.
You have successfully advocated federal funding to expand
the METRA Commuter rails into the northern suburbs of
Illinois, including many towns in your district. The METRA
extension into these areas via the Wisconsin Central tracks
has stimulated wide ranging economic expansion. The passenger
rail service this expansion made possible connected the
northern suburbs to O'Hare International Airport and
Chicago's Union Station.
The 290 acres of open space at Fort Sheridan is an
outgrowth of your creativity, determining and your ability to
persuade the federal government to transfer the land to the
Lake County Forest Preserve District when Fort Sheridan was
closed. That this land transfer occurred without cost to the
District and continues to exist as open space for all to
enjoy is among your most special contributions.
The Great Lakes Naval Station remains open, viable and an
economic anchor in Illinois because of your efforts. Among
the critical military missions conducted here is Navy and
Coast Guard training.
Illinois is among the first tier of states benefiting from
new opportunities to market our products, produce and ideas
internationally. Your commitment and effectiveness as an
advocate of free trade continues to produce immeasurable
economic benefits for the people of Illinois. Our farmers
have more markets in which to sell their crops and livestock.
Our business community has additional opportunities to
positively impact their bottom line. Our workers enjoy a more
stable work environment with better compensation.
Additional contributions that will not be forgotten include
your efforts for comprehensive flood control measures for the
North Branch of the Chicago River. The enhancement of safety
and operational capabilities at Waukegan Airport, including
new instrument landing equipment and runway improvements.
Waukegan Harbor has been cleaned up with federal resources
and payments you helped secure from the firm who did the
polluting.
On behalf of my family and our shared constituents from all
walks of life within Illinois, thank you for all that you
have accomplished. Your ideas, experience and voice in
Congress will be sorely missed. We wish you the very best in
your next endeavor and hope that it brings you all the joy
and happiness that you deserve. Please extend our very best
regards to your entire family and especially your children--
John, Ann, David, Robin, and Donna.
Sincerely,
George H. Ryan,
Governor.
I think it is amazing all of the correspondence that we have had. The
praise from several fellow Illinoians for John Porter's service in
Illinois include a couple of members from the Illinois delegation that
I would like to summarize what they have submitted. The gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) points out that not only has John's work
resulted in millions of dollars going to fund biomedical research but
his legacy will be saving lives. While they have not always agreed on
every issue, he commends John for his conservative stance on fiscal
issues and his unwavering commitment to eliminating deficits and
balancing the Federal budgets. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Costello) touts John's efforts to ensure funding for the National
Institutes of Health, and his dedication to human rights issues. He
expresses his admiration for John's work in the Illinois delegation and
on the Committee on Appropriations. He states that his friendship will
be missed.
A couple of comments from former chiefs of staff to John Porter. Mark
Kirk states that America is not great because we are rich or field the
most powerful military. We are great because our Nation has been the
largest force for good on this earth. John Porter and the Human Rights
Caucus made our values and respect for human rights an essential part
of our country's mission to the world. We here in Illinois will miss
John Porter's calm, intellectual and dignified service to the Nation.
At this point, I would like to submit his letter.
Mark Steven Kirk
Glenview, Illinois, October 18, 2000.
Congresswoman Judy Biggert,
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Congresswoman Biggert: I want to applaud you for
leading today's Special Order for John Porter.
Our country and future generations owe a real debt to
Congressman Porter. he led our nation's commitment to double
funding for medical research. It was his decision that laid
the foundation for the mapping of the human genome, finding
the cause of Alzheimer's disease and a cure for some types of
diabetes. John Porter's legacy is one of longer, healthier
lives, not just for our nation but the world.
John Porter also embodies the values we hold most dear.
America is not great because
[[Page H10247]]
we are rich or field the most powerful military. We are great
because our nation has been the largest force for good on
this Earth. We enshrined our values in the Bill of Rights and
exported them through the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. John Porter and the Human Rights Caucus made our
values and respect for human rights an essential part of our
country's mission to the world.
After 21 years of John Porter's service to the nation,
human freedom has spread throughout Eastern Europe and the
former Soviet Union, turning enemies into allies. The new
leaders in many of these countries were once prisoners of
conscience whose best friend and advocate was John Edward
Porter. The bond they formed in prison cells with their voice
and friend in Congress will reap a permanent reward to the
United States.
We here in Illinois will miss John Porter's calm,
intellectual and dignified service to the nation. He served
us all in the highest tradition of public service and
commitment to the greater good.
Sincerely,
Mark Kirk.
Another chief of staff, Robert Bradner, who worked for John for 13
years, cites a specific example of John's foresight. Fifteen years ago,
before anyone saw it as a problem, John began pointing out the
potential problems with Social Security. While many thought it to be an
act of political suicide, he had the courage to take on the issue of
Social Security reform. Popular wisdom has finally caught up with him.
{time} 2215
Robert further states, ``John's belief in a fair process and his
ability to work on the basis of mutual respect with colleagues of
widely divergent views allowed him to shepherd difficult legislation
through the House over the past 6 years that he has been the chairman
of the Labor-HHS Committee, in a manner that confirmed to all the true
measure of his policy making talent.''
I continue with Robert Bradner. ``Ultimately, I regard John Porter as
a teacher. He taught me and a number of others who passed through his
offices about the honor of public service and the importance of
ideas.''
October 18, 2000.
Hon. Judy Biggert,
Member of Congress,
Washington, DC.
Dear Judy: I am delighted that you have organized a special
order on the eve of John Porter's retirement from the House
of Representatives to commemorate his many years of public
service.
I had the great honor to work for John Porter for a total
of thirteen years, both during the time that he served as a
member of the minority party in the House, and later when he
rose to an important chairmanship in the majority. A litany
of all that he accomplished in that time would run many
pages. However, I would like to share a few observations.
During the 1980s, John Porter distinguished himself as a
tireless advocate for human rights and the environment, as a
defender of the rights of women and an advocate for a common
sense approach to family planning, and as a fierce opponent
of federal budget deficits. One accomplishment deserves
particular note, for it is emblematic of both his
intelligence and his political courage. Fifteen years ago,
John began pointing out the dangerous growth of unfunded
liabilities in the Social Security system and, soon
thereafter, he began introducing legislation to provide for
individual social security retirement accounts. At the time,
such behavior was considered an act of political suicide. But
John had the courage to take on the issue, and a constituency
that trusted and valued sound judgment over demagoguery. He
was well ahead of his time in seeing this problem for what it
was. Today, the popular wisdom has finally caught up with
where John was well over a decade ago: recognizing this as a
serious problem and beginning to come to grips with
solutions. Indeed, a very closely related proposal to John's
original legislation is playing a very prominent role in the
current Presidential election.
Later in his career, John had the opportunity to accede to
the Chairmanship of the Labor, Health & Human Services and
Education Subcommittee. This was no easy assignment. In
recent years, the Labor-HHS bill has been a place where some
of the most passionately held beliefs of conservatives and
liberals about the shape and size of government and a myriad
of emotional social issues collide headlong. And it is the
place where, on an annual basis, those disagreements must
somehow be resolved. I would argue that John Porter was
almost uniquely qualified for this most difficult assignment.
This capability stemmed not from his views on any particular
issue but rather from the innate decency that he has always
shown to his co-workers and his strong belief that the
process by which issues are resolved in a democracy is of
equal, if not greater, importance than the particular outcome
achieved on a particular issue on a particular day. John's
belief in a fair process and his ability to work on the basis
of mutual respect with colleagues of widely divergent views
allowed him to shepherd this most difficult legislation
through the House over the past six years in a manner that
confirmed to all the true measure of his policy making
talent.
Ultimately, I regard John Porter as a teacher. He taught
me, and a number of others who passed through his offices,
about the honor of public service and the importance of
ideas. He encouraged intellectual discourse and vigorous
policy discussion within the office toward the goal of
developing a better understanding of the issues and a sounder
approach to policy. And he showed me that, on the most trying
and emotional issues facing the Congress--such as the
resolution to authorize hostilities against Iraq--there is no
substitute for a member of Congress that exercises, to the
best of their ability, independent judgment to ascertain the
best course of action and the courage to support that course.
I thank you again for your efforts in organizing this fine
tribute to John Porter, and join with you and so many others
in wishing John all the best in his future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Robert H. Bradner.
Another Chief of Staff, Gordon MacDougall, cites John's motivation
for reducing Federal budget deficits as being ``based on his conviction
of public service as a responsibility for perpetuating our free and
democratic society.'' He also praises John as being a champion of the
ideals upon which our system of governing was originally based. He
states that ``today's young Americans and their children will be better
off for Congressman Porter's 20 years of devoted service in Congress.''
October 18, 2000.
Hon. Judy Biggert,
U.S. Representative,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congresswoman Biggert: I understand that you have
organized a ``Special Order'' to celebrate the career of
Congressman John E. Porter, and that you have invited former
staff to Congressman Porter to contribute sstatements.
I was fortunate to have been introduced to Congressman
Porter in 1983, during his second term in Congress. I was
subsequently offered a position as Legislative Assistant in
his office beginning in January, 1984. I was promoted to the
position of Administrative Assistant in 1995, and served on
his staff until early 1997. Since leaving his office I have
had the opportunity to continue a professional and a personal
relationship with Congressman Porter.
John Porter is an individual of high integrity and deep
intellect. He has an unwavering commitment to our open system
of representative democracy. I believe that he is one of the
finest Members of Congress to serve during the last quarter
of the 20th Century.
During the first eighteen years of his career, Congressman
Porter devoted the majority of his time to efforts to reduce
federal budget deficits. In my view, his motivation was not
simple or myopic fiscal conservatism, his motivation was
based on his conviction of public services as a
responsibility for perpetuating our free and democratic
society. Congressman Porter remained focused for the majority
of his tenure in Congress on adopting fiscal policies to
enable future generations to avoid being burdened with
federal debt. Coming generations of Americans will benefit
from his steady and deliberate effort to help balance the
federal budget. I am pleased for Congressman Porter that he
has been able to stay in the House long enough to see a
balanced federal budget.
With federal fiscal policy coming into balance during the
past two years, Congressman Porter has refocused his efforts
on federal programs of significance to future generations of
Americans. He has led an effort in the House to increase
funding for medical research, an investment which will
improve the quality of life for future generations of all
mankind. Also during this period he has conscientiously
worked to forward proposals to stabilize a Social Security
system which, without changes, will not last to serve our
children.
John Porter has been a champion of the ideals upon which
our system of governing was originally based. He is a unique
individual, and his character and demeanor will be missed in
future Congresses. Today's young Americans and their children
will be better off for Congressman Porter's twenty years of
devoted service in Congress. I wish him well.
Sincerely,
Gordon P. MacDougall
We also heard from former Illinois officials, Mr. Speaker. Former
Illinois State Representative David Barkhausen from John Porter's
district states that ``one has only to look at the example of John
Porter to recognize that in him we have truly had an exemplary leader
and representative in the mold that our Founding Fathers envisioned.
The impact of his many contributions will endure, as will the high
standards of public service that he has held high for others to
follow.''
[[Page H10248]]
Lake Bluff, IL,
October 18, 2000.
Re ``Special Orders'' tribute for John Porter.
Hon. Judy Biggert,
U.S. Representative,
Washington, DC.
Dear Judy: It is my pleasure and privilege to participate
in this special tribute to Congressman John Porter from his
colleagues and friends.
I am fortunate that my service in the Illinois General
Assembly from 1981-1997 (2 years in the House and 14 in the
Senate) coincided with most of John's years of service in
Washington. He was both a great leader and team player. He
also recruited and maintained a staff that was second to none
and that was always extremely courteous, cooperative, and
effective.
John Porter has been an extraordinarily thoughtful and
conscientious Congressman and a model servant. He has
combined the characteristics that everyone could hope for in
a Congressman from our kind of district. He is a deep and
original thinker who has greatly influenced important
policies in such areas as health care research. He has
reflected and continuously sought the views of his
constituents while maintaining an admirable independence of
judgment. And he has been extremely attentive to problems and
projects of local interest and influential in offering
solutions.
In the final Presidential debate last night, the candidates
were asked at the end what might help to overcome the cynical
and negative views that so many citizens have of their
government and its leaders. Cloning John Porter might be one
effective solution. One has only to look at the example of
John Porter to recognize that, in him, we have truly had an
exemplary leader and representative in the mold that our
Founding Fathers envisioned. We owe him our deep thanks for
the many good years of service he has given us. The impact of
his many contributions will endure, as will the high
standards of public service that he has held high for others
to follow.
I am confident that we can look forward to additional,
important contributions from Congressman Porter in the
service of his country. For now, I want to join all of you in
this heartfelt, if inadequate, praise for his job
extraordinarily well done as a member of the United States
Congress for the past 21 years.
Sincerely,
David N. Barkhausen.
Illinois State Senator Kathleen Parker worked on John's campaign for
state representative, how many years ago was that, and remembers that
he once tracked down a cabinet member in an airport to resolve a
problem for a constituent. She further states that he was a man of
integrity and, above all, a true friend.
Illinois State Senate,
Springfield, IL, October 18, 2000.
Hon. Judy Biggert,
Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Biggert: Thank you for the opportunity
to be included in a Congressional tribute to John Porter.
It's hard to believe that John will have served for 22
years in Congress. It seems like yesterday when I worked on
his campaign for State Representative!
I can tell you that through the years Congressman Porter
has been loved by his district. He has never forgotten his
constituents. While in Washington John has been ever mindful
of local views and issues.
Congressman Porter's staff is, if not the best, tied with
the best in the country. They work hard, are always
responsive and are a pleasure to work with. They work closely
with John enabling him to take personal interest in helping
his constituents. In one case that I know of Congressman
Porter even went as far as to track down a cabinet member in
an airport to resolve a problem for an individual in his
district.
Out of the four ways to leave office John is leaving the
only good way! He has served the Northshore area of Illinois
well. He leaves us with the memory of a true statesman and
Congressman that we can always admire and be proud of. A man
of integrity and above all a true friend.
We will miss John as our Congressman. However, we are
hopeful that there is a future ahead in some capacity he may
serve our country again. We will all be better off if that
occurs.
Sincerely,
Kathleen K. Parker,
State Senator, 29th District.
Illinois State Representative Jeff Schoenberg recounts the first time
he met John Porter was when he was working in his first paid political
job for John's election opponent, then Congressman Abner Mikva. Despite
these beginnings, Jeff has had an extremely good working relationship
with John, and states their offices have maintained a ``seamless
cooperation'' in serving the residents of Chicago's North Shore. He
agrees that John will best be remembered for his commitment and
diligence in bettering the lives of millions of Americans.
His words commending Congressman Porter follow:
Please allow me to join the many others in offering my best
wishes to my colleague and constituent, Congressman John
Porter, in his future endeavors.
I must concede that I first became acquainted with John
when I was hired in 1978 for my first paid position in
politics, as a young field organizer for his election
opponent, then Congressman Abner Mikva. Nonetheless, despite
that less than auspicious beginning to our working
relationship, it has been an extraordinary pleasure to work
with Congressman Porter to address our mutual constituent
concerns and district needs.
For the past ten years, our offices have maintained a
seamless cooperation in serving the residents of Chicago's
North Shore. And on the issues that matter most to those who
we serve--whether it has been funding for health care and
medical research, deficit reduction and greater fiscal
accountability in government, or most recently, when we
worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the United Power for Action
and Justice coalition to increase the availability of funding
for affordable housing and health insurance for lower-income
women and children--John Porter will always be remembered for
his commitment and diligence in bettering the lives of
millions of Americans.
I wish Congressman Porter the best of luck and hope his
tenure in the Illinois legislature and the United States
Congress will continue to inspire young people to public
service.
May you continue to go from strength to strength, John, in
your pursuit of just causes.
Sincerely,
Jeff Schoenberg.
Illinois State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis appreciates how responsive
John always was to her constituents, and states how much he will be
missed.
Illinois State Senate,
Springfield, IL, October 18, 2000.
Congresswoman Judy Biggert,
13th Congressional District.
Dear Judy: I worked with John Porter in the Illinois House,
and he became my Congressman. He was always very responsive
to my District and to my people, and he did a great job for
the 10th District.
I wish him the best that life has to offer and I shall miss
him.
Sincerely,
Adeline J. Geo-Karis,
Senator--31st District,
Assistant Majority Leader.
Illinois State Representative Elizabeth Coulson states that she will
always remember the lessons she learned from John, and that his work on
environmental issues was second to none.
Elizabeth Coulson,
State Representative,
Springfield, IL, October 17, 2000.
Hon. John Edward Porter,
Congressman, 10th District,
Deerfield, IL.
Dear Congressman Porter: Congratulations on eleven terms in
the United States House. We will miss your compassion and
good judgment in our 10th District.
As a State Representative, I have often looked to your
leadership as an example. I watch with great interest your
lead on the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
Subcommittees. Your work on environmental issues is second to
none. Again, we will miss you.
You will always be remembered for your independent
thinking. As I continue my career in Government I will
remember the lessons that I learned from you. I wish you the
best of luck in your future endeavors!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Coulson,
State Representative, 57th District.
I would like to take a moment to highlight one of John's most notable
achievements, and that is his commitment to biomedical research. He is
truly a champion in this field, as has been noted by so many who I have
quoted. His work on the National Institutes of Health deserves
particular mention.
When he became chairman of the Labor-HHS appropriations subcommittee
in 1995, NIH had been appropriated $11.3 billion for the previous
fiscal year. While that is hardly small chump change, John recognized
that NIH is responsible for so many of our country's scientific
advances and could be responsible for so much more with additional
funding.
As a Congress we set out a few years ago, with the guidance of John,
to double the funding for the NIH, and John has done this almost all by
himself during his tenure. In the long-awaited conference report for
Labor-HHS bill, he has set aside $20.5 billion for NIH. That is a 15
percent increase over last year, and an astounding 81 percent increase
during his chairmanship.
These increases in funding for NIH mean good things for so many
people. It will, we hope, lead to cures for cancer, AIDS, heart
disease, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's and so many others. In fact,
earlier this year in the Wall Street Journal, Al Hunt wrote that this
funding increase ``may be the
[[Page H10249]]
most significant achievement of this GOP Congress.''
The chairman of Research America, a former representative, Paul
Rogers, said in the same article that achieving the consensus necessary
for this increase ``would have been very difficult without John Porter.
He has been the main purpose in this effort.'' With that praise, Mr.
Rogers perhaps understated John Porter's role: He was the single
motivating force.
This, of course, is not the only praise that John has received, and I
could use up the entire hour reciting the organizations that have
honored John for his support for biomedical research. Suffice it to
say, it is a long and noteworthy list, from the American Medical
Association, to the American Society of Microbiology. So, on behalf of
the American public who benefits from this critical research done at
the NIH, I know we thank John Porter.
I would also like to take a moment to pay tribute to John Porter's
outstanding human rights record. In 1983, after witnessing the severity
of human right violations in the former Soviet Union, John helped to
form the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. He knew that applying
Congressional pressure on foreign governments could be a significant
step towards ending human rights abuses around the world.
I doubt that even John Porter anticipated how successful the caucus
would ultimately turn out to be, with a bipartisan membership now
totaling 257 Members. Under John's solid leadership, the Human Rights
Caucus thoroughly reviewed the actions of and subsequently condemned
Chinese authorities for the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. Under
John's leadership the caucus has held regular briefings on important
human rights issues, including religious freedom in China, the
oppressive regime of the late Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha, the plight
of North Korean refugees living in China, and the abhorrent use of
children soldiers, just to name a few.
In addition to his work with the caucus, John has been heavily
involved personally in human rights work. He has provided a clear and
loud voice for the oppressed, and has strongly supported human rights
and democratic reform all over the world.
John also cosponsored a Congressional fast and prayer vigil in which
numerous Members of Congress fasted on behalf of specific oppressed
individuals. Because of his leadership in this area, Representative
Porter received the Anatoly Shcharansky Freedom Award from the Chicago
Action for Soviet Jewry, who described him aptly as ``a champion of
human rights and a powerful ally in the struggle against oppression and
the fight for basic human freedoms.''
John introduced legislation to create a Radio Free China, a
broadcasting service to bring uncensored news reports directly to the
Chinese people without government intrusion. He then jointly introduced
Radio Free Asia to serve China, North Korea, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia
and Laos. Congress authorized the program and John quickly secured
funding for the new service.
A Member of Congress who has served more than 20 years can amass a
great deal of influence. John Porter as chairman of an influential
appropriations subcommittee is certainly no exception. However, John
has bucked the trend and has not used his power and influence for his
own personal gain or enrichment. He has used his influence to help
those less fortunate than himself, those less fortunate than most
Americans.
Gerald LeMelle, Deputy Executive Director for Amnesty International
USA, eloquently summed this up when he said of Representative Porter at
a recent farewell reception, ``Whether from your keynote speech at the
Latin American Ambassadors Colloquium in 1991, or your steadfast
support on issue after issue, you have always been there for us and for
human rights, with integrity and principle.''
I agree. John Porter has always been beside those who could not fight
for themselves. For this I admire him.
John Porter has been a leader in so many areas, and in the middle of
our testimonies to him on health care, human rights and health
research, it is also important to emphasize his active interest and
leadership on issues involving the environment. His record is clear
enough on this point and long enough to document his strong and
consistent support for major environmental legislation, including the
Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Wilderness Protection Act, the
National Park Protection Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
But the fine print of his record also reflects his love of animals
and his love of the outdoors. For instance, he voted for the Endangered
Species Act and against the inhumane use of animals in product testing
and the use of cruel leghold traps. Ten years ago John successfully
stopped the radical destruction of tropical rain forests in developing
nations by tying future lending to conservation efforts to protect the
forests and the wetlands.
Today he is fighting for the protection of the American bear with
legislation to stop the illegal poaching of bears for their paws and
gallbladders, which has garnered the support of 142 other Members of
Congress. For these and many other efforts, he has received awards,
honors and accolades from national and international environment groups
like the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, the United Nations
Environmental Program and Conservation International.
John is even the recipient of the prestigious Lorax Award from the
Global Tomorrow Coalition, a group representing over 100 environmental
organizations. But, most important to the people of the Tenth District
of Illinois, have been John's efforts to protect human health and the
environment at home.
He orchestrated an agreement between the government and the polluters
of Waukegan Harbor on Lake Michigan to clean it up. He led an effort to
preserve the 290 acres of open space on the northern part of Fort
Sheridan and make it available for recreation by transferring it from
the army to the Lake County Forest Preserve District at no cost.
He sought and found effective solutions to help area residents and
businesses along the North Branch of the Chicago River who suffered
from flood damage. Thanks to his efforts, flood waters are now diverted
from people's basements to a number of large reservoirs.
John also has been a leading supporter of environmental projects that
benefit all the residents of northeastern Illinois. He obtained funding
to study Lake Michigan's shoreline erosion and to stabilize it. He
introduced legislation to alleviate high water levels in Lake Michigan
by increasing water diversion down the Illinois River and secured
additional funding for wetland preservation.
So whether you are a resident of John Porter's district, the City of
Chicago and any of its suburbs, or the tropical rain forests of any
developing nation, your environment has been positively impacted by the
efforts of a great environmental advocate, our friend, John Porter.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to add that I also have received a
statement from the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), and I
would like to just say that he also applauds his work to increase
funding for the National Institutes of Health and biomedical research,
and says that believing that more funds would lead to more cures for
disease and other medical advances. Chairman Porter embarked on an
ambitious program to double the NIH budget.
I would like to also say that he particularly remembers his work with
John Porter as a Member of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations. In
particular, he recalls one battle that was waged with Mr. Porter. They
worked together, in 1997, when they opposed certain provisions of the
fiscal year 1998 foreign operations appropriation bill that they
thought should not have been included. He says the one thing that he
could say about John Porter is that he always he always stands up for
his principles, and, in this particular case, like so many others, he
prevailed in the end because he knew the facts and he knew the cause
was just.
The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) says that she had had
the privilege of working with Mr. Porter on such a wide variety of
issues; women's rights, health care, human rights, family planning, the
environment and many, many more.
[[Page H10250]]
{time} 2230
He was always a tremendous advocate for bipartisan cooperation. Over
the years, they often worked together to forge common sense solutions
to important issues facing our Nation. She says that she knows that
there are many Members of Congress who would join her in this
sentiment, and she believes that that alone is an outstanding tribute
to any Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In the case of
Congressman Porter, it is an exceptionally fitting tribute.
She had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Porter on
international family planning issues and stood together in opposition
to any antidemocratic gag rules which would interfere with the
availability of family planning around the world.
On this issue, as with so many others, Congressman Porter has touched
so many lives; it is hard to measure the full impact of his efforts.
I would like to then turn to some remarks which I think are very
fitting, and that is a thank you to Mr. Porter from his staff. And they
have said that the House of Representatives and the 10th District of
Illinois will not be the same next year as Congressman John Porter sets
off on a new career path. Members of his staff would like to take this
opportunity to express their gratitude for the journey that they have
traveled with him over the past 21 years.
Mr. Speaker, I will quote:
Some of us have worked for the Congressman almost his
entire time in office. Our longevity is a testament to the
respect and appreciation we have for his honesty, integrity,
and leadership. The Boss, as we affectionately called him,
has been the one constant amidst the hectic pace of a
congressional office caught in a whirlwind of issues,
including a government shutdown and impeachment hearings.
He has vigorously pursued those issues of greatest interest
to him, including biomedical research, human rights, and
environmental conservation. He has never wavered from his
duty to fairly represent the people of Illinois' 10th
Congressional District.
Congressman Porter rarely lets an occasion go by without
acknowledging his appreciation for what he calls ``the best
congressional staff in America.'' However, leadership and
success come from the top.
Congressman Porter has set service to his constituents as
the highest priority. From his impeccable manners, to his
insistence that no constituent request goes without response,
he has taught us that everyone is to be treated equally.
The honor of working for Congressman John Porter has
enriched our lives in more ways than we can ever express.
In the communities of Illinois' wonderful 10th
Congressional District, it is a name that commands respect.
We know this because we hear his praises sung daily. Even
constituents who disagree with his vote respect his judgment
and his courage to vote his conscience.
So as you move on, Boss, we wish you the great success in
your next endeavor. We know that you will continue to
contribute your many talents to helping the people of this
great Nation. Thank you, Congressman Porter for setting the
standard that others follow. Thank you for giving us the joy
of working in this exciting environment that allows us to
learn something new each day and be of service to others.
Thank you for standing by us during the ups and downs we
have experienced in our personal lives over the past 21
years. Most of all, thank you for letting us be members of
the Porter family, to work for you and be with you. We have
loved every minute.
Signed Linda Maneck, Dee Jay Kweder, Ed Kelly, Ginny
Hotaling, Carol Joy Cunningham, Mary Jane Partridge, Nancy
Johnson, Linda Mae Carlson, Jerri Lohman, Katharine Fisher,
Spencer Perlman, Jeannette Windon, Michael Liles, Erik
Rasmussen, Jori Frahler and David Fabrycky.''
Is that not a nice tribute to have from the members of your staff?
Mr. Speaker, much has been written during this presidential election
year of legacy of what a public servant bequests to his succeeding
generations, not just on his last days in office, but over the entirety
of his career.
Let me close tonight's special order by summing up the sentiments
expressed by my colleagues regarding the legacy of our esteemed
colleague, John Edward Porter.
What we have heard tonight is that John Porter has not sought out
glory or tried to advance his name at any cost. John is the kind of
Congressman that will leave a long record of accomplishments when he
walks out of this Chamber as we adjourn sine die.
First, John leaves a great legacy to the 10th District in the State
of Illinois. As our governor, State senators and representatives
mentioned in their letters and as my colleagues from Illinois
attested tonight, John's contributions are without equal. Among the
many projects for which he will be remembered, his funding for the
METRA Commuter rails that link the northern suburbs of Illinois with
downtown Chicago and O'Hare Airport.
Second, John leaves a great legacy to this country. His crusade to
increase NIH funding will no doubt lead one day to the cures for the
diseases that will save millions of lives. His work on behalf of
women's and children's health issues, it is unparalleled.
John leaves a great legacy for our world community. He has
represented those around the world who are not able to represent
themselves. John fights not only for the most popular crusades, but
also for the countries and people forgotten by the glare of CNN. This
is a proud legacy.
Perhaps most importantly, John leaves a great legacy for the people
whose lives he has personally and directly touched. The thoughtful and
loving testimony shared here tonight by his staff and former staff
members speak out volumes on the quality and decency of this fine man.
Tonight we heard of the legacy that John has created during his years
of service in this body. We heard but a small part of the large impact
he has made on his district, his State, his country, and the world.
But tonight is not a leave-taking. It is the exciting commencement of
the next stage of John's career. We will all watch with great pride and
interest the new challenges that John will decide to tackle in the
months and years to come. We all will know that whatever cause or
causes he chooses to take on in his next career will be benefited and
blessed by his fine touch.
They say there is no limit to the amount of good that a man can do in
this world if he does not care who gets the credit. Well, John never
cares and never has cared who has gotten the credit, and John can never
be credited sufficiently for the great good he has done in this world.
We will all miss John Porter a great deal, but we are all honored to
have been able to serve with a leader of such integrity, dedication,
and commitment to principle.
Tonight we celebrate his legacy, we delight in his friendship, and we
wish John Edward Porter the very best that life has to offer.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the following speech:
Speech Delivered by Gerald LeMelle, Deputy Executive Director for
Amnesty International USA, on the Occasion of a Farewell Reception for
Representative John Porter, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Human
Rights Caucus, October 3, 2000
Distinguished members of Congress, distinguished staff,
dear friends and colleagues, it is my bittersweet pleasure to
be here to bid farewell to our dear friend and Co-Chairman of
the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Congressman John
Porter.
Chairman Porter has been a key leader in ensuring that the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus did not just survive the
abolition of caucuses, but has managed to thrive--even
``thrive'' might be an understatement! Today, the Human
Rights Caucus has an almost frantic pace of briefings--
Guatemala, Burma, Sudan, Algeria, East Timor, Turkey--it
matters not the range of countries or even issues, all these
countries are covered in a week, with recognized experts or
with the activists who are on the front line of these issues!
But the Caucus does not cover only countries in the headlines
but countries and peoples forgotten by the glare of CNN. The
Caucus is here to ensure that human rights around the world
remain a focal point for congressional activity--even when
Congress gets caught up in other business. And for that, sir,
we salute you.
But Chairman Porter has gone beyond the Caucus in his
pursuit of human rights. When Native American leaders
converged on Washington earlier this year to call for the
release of Leonard Peltier, they found a receptive ear in
Chairman Porter who hosted an important briefing in which we
in Amnesty International were honored to participate. When
the Turkish government has gone on a public relations
offensive, or when the Administration despite its wiser
counsel has decided to pursue arms transfers to that NATO
ally, it is Congressman Porter who has been publicly on the
side of human rights.
In 1995, at a briefing organized by the Congressional Human
Rights Caucus, when Nigeria was suffering under the
oppression of the late dictator Sani Abacha, Chairman Porter
was one of the few voices calling Abacha what he was--a
dictator--and one of the lone voices blasting the
Administration's policy.
And of course we cannot talk about the Chairman without
talking about Kathryn Porter, a human rights activist in her
own
[[Page H10251]]
right. While her work on behalf of the Kurdish people and
Afghani women is widely recognized and celebrated, we also
remember the singular courage she exhibited when she spent
some time with Jennifer Harbury in Guatemala, on a lonely
stretch of rural road outside an Army base.
While a politician might boast of the state dinners he or
she has attended, Chairman Porter attended a ``stateless''
dinner on behalf of Chinese dissidents. While politics is
well tuned to the powerful and the popular, Chairman Porter
has stood by the underdogs, supporting the rights of
religious and ethnic minorities throughout the world,
including the Armenians and the Ba'hais. While many in
Congress have shunned the challenge of confronting the
violations by powerful allies such as Saudi Arabia, Chairman
Porter seems to embrace such opportunities. While governments
and their representatives tend to have relationships with
other governments, we can safely say that Chairman Porter has
built relationships with peoples.
We in Amnesty International USA with its 300,000 members in
the United states and more than a million members worldwide
can say that we are a grateful people for your leadership and
your support. I should also add, if I want my staff not to
kill me, that your staff has also been fabulous, including
Rachel Helfand, Karen Davis, Heidi Gasch, Katharine Fisher,
Kelly Currie, and Jeannette Windon. We have grown to respect
and rely on them as well.
Whether from your keynote speech at the Latin American
Ambassadors Colloquium in 1991 or your steadfast support in
issue after issue, you have always been there for us and for
human rights, with integrity and principle that is second to
none. Dear Chairman Porter, it's not just staffers who voted
you number one Congressperson who will be missed most--we
also read Washingtonian magazine--we too will miss you
deeply.
Thank you sir for your wonderful example and contribution
to human rights. You are a real hero to us.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, today we salute the very
distinguished gentleman from Illinois, Mr. John Edward Porter, as he
prepares to retire after 20 years of dedicated service in the House of
Representatives, to the people of Illinois, and to our Nation. I rise
to join my colleagues in paying tribute to him and the legacy he leaves
behind.
Mr. Porter embodies a unique blend of fiscal conservatism and social
moderation. He is known as a most thoughtful, articulate, and
responsible member of the Appropriations Committee, a consistent
advocate for human rights for all people, a protector of volunteers to
encourage their greater participation in their communities, and a
supporter of programs that help men, women, and children in need to
have full and productive lives.
It has been my honor to serve with Mr. Porter as a member of the
House Appropriations Committee for the past six years. As Chairman of
its Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee, he has
had the Herculean task of shepherding the largest domestic spending
bill through our committee and this Chamber. Not only does this bill
contain a substantial amount of money, it also contains a substantial
amount of controversial policy issues. Mr. Porter has done an excellent
job of balancing all the competing interests as he worked to craft his
annual bill.
In this regard, I applaud especially his work to increase funding for
the National Institutes of Health and biomedical research. Believing
that more funds would lead to more cures for diseases and other medical
advances, Chairman Porter embarked on an ambitious program to double
the NIH budget over five years. Against all odds, and under tight
budget constraints, he has managed to increase NIH funding by 15
percent a year for the past three years. At this rate, Congress would
meet his goal of doubling that budget in five years. I hope that my
colleagues would continue toward that objective and that his leadership
with the NIH will be remembered as one of his greatest legacies.
On a more personal note, I particularly remember our work as members
of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. In particular, I recall one
battle we waged together in 1997 when we opposed certain provisions of
the Fiscal Year 1998 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that we
thought should not have been included. One thing you can say about John
Porter, he always stands up for his principles. In this particular
case, like so many others, he prevailed in the end because he knew the
facts and the cause was just.
My work with Mr. Porter was not just confined to the Appropriations
Committee, as both of us have been members of the Tuesday Lunch Bunch.
Here we consumed a lot of pizza and discussed issues facing us in
Congress that deserved extra attention and deliberation.
While we are saddened to see Mr. Porter retire, we join in wishing
him well in the future and thanking him for the high standard he has
set for all of us.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Illinois
delegation for organizing this Special Order tonight, and I want to
thank my friend Judy Biggert for coordinating this particular effort
honoring Congressman John Edward Porter.
I am here to honor my friend, Chairman John Porter, who is retiring
at the end of this session of Congress. Mr. Porter has been a good
friend, he has been a terrific legislative partner, and he has been a
superior legislator.
I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Porter on such a wide
variety of issues--women's rights, health care, human rights, family
planning, the environment, and many, many more. He has always been a
tremendous advocate for bipartisan cooperation. Over the years, we have
often worked together to forge commonsense solutions to important
issues facing our Nation. And I know that there are many Members of
Congress who would join me in this sentiment. I believe that alone is
an outstanding tribute to any Member of this House. In the case of
Congressman Porter, it is an exceptionally fitting tribute.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Porter on
international family planning issues. We stood together in opposition
to any anti-democratic gag rules, which interfere with the availability
of family planning around the world. On this issue, as with so many
others, Congressman John Porter has touched so many lives, it is hard
to measure the full impact of his efforts.
He is a leader on protecting the environment. As co-chair of the
Human Rights Caucus, he has been a leader on human rights. As Chairman
of the Labor-HHS Subcommittee, he has been a leader on biomedical
research.
This year, I am proud to serve as the co-chair of the Congressional
Caucus for Women's Issues. And every year, the Women's Caucus testified
before his subcommittee.
Congresswomen would line up to testify about a whole host of issues--
family planning, women's health, title IX, biomedical research,
education funding, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, long-term
health care, breast cancer, teen pregnancy, mental health, AIDS,
osteoporosis, STD's, child care, homelessness, Head Start, pediatric
asthma, violence against women, and many more subjects.
Chairman Porter often said it was his favorite day in the
subcommittee. Mr. Porter was always interested, attentive, informed,
and compassionate. We always knew we had a real advocate and friend on
so many of these important issues in Chairman Porter. He will be sorely
missed by the Women's Caucus, he will be missed by the entire Congress,
and his leadership will be missed by countless Americans whose lives
have been touched by his work.
Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I know John Porter as a friend and as a
member of the Appropriations Committee. We have served together on the
committee during his entire twenty year tenure in Congress.
John Porter will be remembered as one of the most consistent fiscal
conservatives on the Appropriations Committee during his service in
office. During his first fourteen years as a minority member of the
Labor-Health-and-Human Resources Subcommittee, John worked tirelessly
to assure strict oversight of the agencies under his jurisdiction.
During that period, we looked to his leadership to hold the line on
excessive spending by that subcommittee.
Also during our period together in the minority, John worked hard to
reform a budget process which he thought contributed to excessive
Federal spending. As a member of the majority, John has continued
fighting to reform the budget process during the past six years. He has
argued throughout his career that adopting a bipartisan budget
resolution in March of each year would help restrain domestic spending
at the end of each year. We will remember his thoughtful and wise
counsel on how to use the budget process to control Federal spending.
As Chairman of the Labor-HHS Subcommittee John has worked closely
with the minority. He is respected equally by both Republicans and
Democrats on the committee for his bipartisan approach. John has worked
effectively with the minority to manage and control Federal
appropriations, and to establish and impose performance measures on
Federal agencies. He has gained the respect of all of those who have
worked closely with him.
Some of our colleagues will remember John for his strong commitment
to medical research. John has championed medical research because of
his belief in a better society for our children. His leadership on
funding for medical research reflects his concern for the well being of
all people.
He has used his position on the Appropriations Committee to make the
Federal Government more accountable to taxpayers. John has insisted,
like his subcommittee predecessor Bill Natcher, on attending every
oversight and public hearing. In order to ensure that all of his
colleagues have a chance to amend the Labor-HHS bill, he has insisted
on bringing the bill to the House floor every year. John has managed
the Labor-HHS in a manner which reflects the principles of our
representative democracy.
[[Page H10252]]
We will miss John's integrity and his independence. John's work in
Congress during the past twenty years will contribute to a stronger
democracy for future generations. We will miss him as a leading member
of the Appropriations Committee, and we hope that he will stay in close
contact with all of his former colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an
outstanding Member of Congress and an individual who has helped make
this Nation a better place for families, our veterans, and our armed
forces.
Mr. Porter first came to Congress in 1980. Since that time he has
become a recognized leader in health care issues. He has always done a
commendable job in working in a bipartisan manner to fund valuable
programs through the most difficult of situations. His keen interest in
supporting health care, education and labor issues, has helped set
Federal priorities in those critical areas which further the best
interests of our country.
Mr. Porter and I share an interest in health care issues, which I
developed in my days in the Ohio State Senate. I have always
appreciated Chairman Porter's leadership in supporting needed programs
in the Labor/Health and Human Services bill to benefit pediatric care,
physician training, mental health services, and other important health
programs.
As a former Army Reservist, Mr. Porter has approved a valued member
of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, where I serve
as Chairman. Mr. Porter has always been a strong advocate for improving
the living and working conditions for our military personnel and their
families and he will be missed on our subcommittee.
Today, as we honor Mr. Porter, I am pleased to join with his friends
and colleagues, his wife, Kathryn, and his children, in wishing him all
the best in the years to come and to thank him for his years of
dedicated service to our Nation.
As Ohio's Seventh District Representative to the Congress of the
United States, I take this opportunity to join with members of the Ohio
delegation and other members of the Appropriations Committee to honor
the efforts and the many outstanding achievements of Representative
John Porter. His many contributions as a member of the House of
Representatives and leadership as a valued Committee Chairman will be
remembered.
____
Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great
Illinoisan and a dedicated Congressman. My colleague, Congressman John
Edward Porter, dedicated 20 years of his life to serve as the
Representative from Illinois' Tenth Congressional District. At the helm
of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations
Subcommittee, Congressman Porter worked diligently to forge
bipartisanship in the appropriations process.
Over the course of Congressman Porter's tenure in the House of
Representatives, he has taken a leadership role on health care issues.
As Chairman of the Labor, HHS and Education appropriations since 1995,
he was successful in making biomedical research one of our Nation's
highest priorities. This is evidenced in the fact that during his
tenure as Chairman, Congressman Porter doubled funding for the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). Congressman Porter understands the great
promise that NIH's research holds for saving lives and conquering
diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease,
and many others. In addition, he worked tirelessly to provide more
funding for community health centers that serve the indigent poor.
I can speak endlessly on Representative Porter's accomplishments, but
I would be remiss if I did not point out that beyond his stellar
accomplishments, he is a man of honor and integrity. And as Congressman
Porter enters into retirement, I am grateful to have served with a
Member of such high esteem.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise today to
join my colleagues in paying special tribute to my good friend and
colleague from Illinois, Mr. John Porter. Mr. Porter and I have worked
on many bipartisan issues to improve our nation and home state of
Illinois including many health care initiatives. Since coming to
Congress, I have appreciated his friendship and admired his work within
the Illinois delegation and on the House Appropriations Committee.
Mr. Porter began his distinguished career as an attorney, having
graduated from the University of Michigan in 1961. John Porter has
represented the 10th District and the State of Illinois well. He has
dedicated himself to representing the citizens of the Great State of
Illinois and has been tireless in his efforts to ensure medical
research at NIH will continue and is adequately funded. In addition, he
has helped countless people in the United States and around the world
in an effort to resolve human rights issues.
Mr. Speaker, John Porter has served this institution well and he will
be greatly missed. I wish Mr. Porter and his family well in the years
to come.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to give this tribute
to my good friend and colleague John Porter. John has served with
distinction and honor with me for nearly 22 years in the United States
House of Representatives.
John is retiring this year as a senior member of the House
Appropriations Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Operations
Subcommittee, and Chairman of the Labor, Health & Human Services and
Education Subcommittee. He also serves on the Military Construction
Subcommittee.
Like all Congressmen, he on occasion has had things happen to bring
him back down to earth. Several years ago when flying into O'Hare he
stopped to freshen up before leaving the airport. After washing his
hands he went to dry them. The hand dryer had a note attached to it
that read: ``Press here for a message from your Congressman.''
On a more serious note, John is founder and co-chairman of the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus, a voluntary bipartisan association
of members of Congress working to identify, monitor and end human
rights violations worldwide.
John also has nearly as large a kennel of bulldogs called Watchdogs
of the Treasury from the National Taxpayers Union as I have in my
office.
But John has a record we should all be envious of--in 1992, he was
one of only six out of 435 House members named a ``Taxpayer Superhero''
by the Grace Commission's Citizens Against Government Waste.
In 1994, he was one of only 35 members of the House to be cited by
the Grace Commission for his votes against higher spending and taxes.
In 1997, John had the best score of any House member in the
bipartisan Concord Coalition's analysis of spending votes, earning him
a place on the Coalition's ``Honor Roll'' of members with the strongest
commitment to eliminating deficits and balancing the budget. The
Concord Coalition placed him on its ``Honor Roll'' again for his 1998
voting record.
John is regarded as one of the leaders of the ``Green Republicans''
in the House. A supporter of the Clean Air and Clean Water Act, he has
enacted landmark legislation to stop destruction of tropical
rainforests, fought to prevent unregulated export of waste, and has
advocated new standards for recycling and energy efficiency.
A strong supporter of the arts and humanities, John was appointed to
the Board of Directors of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in
1999, one of only five House members to receive this honor.
We all know John loves golf almost as much as politics. John will now
have more time to spending working on his swing on the golf course. It
is indeed an honor for me to salute Congressman John Porter.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to say good-
bye to one of my dearest friends in this Chamber. I know that the
entire House shares my sense of loss in the departure of one of the
truly great legislators who has served this body for now over 20 years,
the gentleman from Illinois, my friend John Edward Porter, I know that
not only the 10th District of Illinois will miss him sorely.
Mr. Speaker, when I was a very junior Member of this House, I one day
received a request from a young but already distinguished Republican,
who wanted to meet with me. As you can imagine, I was impressed and
honored to receive such a request, and I happily agreed to this
meeting. I still remember vividly that day in my office with John, his
wife Katharine Cameron Porter, and my wife Annette. What resulted from
this meeting was not only the start of our long friendship with John
and Katharine Porter, but also that John and Katharine suggested the
creation of what I consider one of the most important entities in this
body--the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. John and Katharine both
experienced government harassment first hand, when the female members
of their congressional delegation to the former Soviet Union were strip
searched.
Mr. Speaker, John and I have proudly co-chaired the Congressional
Human Rights Caucus since its inception in 1983, and have seen it grow
into easily the most active working group on any issue on the Hill with
currently over 257 Members from both sides of the aisle. No one can
ever measure how many countless people John Porter has helped, how many
people he has given hope, how many times he has spoken out in the
defense of human rights, how often he has fought human rights
violations wherever they occurred. The Caucus Mandate states, that the
purpose of our organization is to ``focus bipartisan attention on the
most fundamental American values: the sanctity of the individual and
the inalienable rights on which the Founders created our country,'' In
doing that, and in continuing to do that, John Porter is a true
American hero.
I am grateful that John Porter invited me to serve with him as co-
chairman of the
[[Page H10253]]
Human Rights Caucus. Annette and I are proud and honored to be his
friends, and I know that he and I will continue to work on human rights
issues. Farewell and Godspeed, and good luck in all your future
endeavors.
Mr. Speaker, a few days ago the Congressional Human Rights Caucus
formerly said good-bye to our outstanding Co-Chairman in a moving
reception. Let there be no mistake, John Porter is still needed, and I
know that he will always be closely involved with the human rights
community in whatever capacity. For those Members of the Caucus who
unfortunately could not attend our farewell to John, let me just say
that it was one of the most moving events the Caucus has held. Leaders
of the human rights community representing organizations from around
the world came to pay tribute to his outstanding leadership. Mr.
Speaker, I submit for the Record two of the most moving tributes.
The first one is by our outstanding Assistant Secretary for
Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Harold Hongju Koh, and the second by
Gerald LeMelle, Deputy Executive Director for Amnesty International
USA.
Statement for the Record by Assistant Secretary Harold Hongju Koh
I am honored to join Members of Congress in this special
tribute to the remarkable Rep. John Porter. A friend and ally
to human rights activists and survivors, John has used his
extraordinary talents and his time in Congress for decades to
bring human rights issues and concerns to their rightful
place on the national agenda. The work of John and the
brilliant Tom Lantos in forming the Congressional Human
Rights Caucus captures everything we seek in an American
human rights policy: bipartisan, principled, global, executed
by a genuine partnership between the executive and
legislative branches, and deeply committed not just to
addressing broad policy questions, but to improving the
plight of individual people.
Those of us in the Department of State, in particular at
the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, are blessed
because our work receives such strong bipartisan support on
Capitol Hill. There are many Members, on both sides of the
aisle, who care deeply and passionately about human rights
and fundamental freedoms. But passion needs a leader. And
John, along with Tom Lantos, has been more than their
leader--he has been their inspiration. Let me also take this
occasion to pay tribute to John's own inspiration--Katharine
Porter--who by her own witness, has given so much of herself
for so many years to improving human rights for so many.
To highlight John's many accomplishments would take the
rest of the evening. Let me say only that Congressional
leadership on human rights issues has largely been the result
of John's and Tom's joint vision, activism, and hard work.
John not only established himself as a leader in the struggle
for human dignity, by calling upon Colleagues to join the
Caucus, he has focused their combined energies on a range of
human rights issues that others said were losing
propositions. From East Berlin to East Timor, the positive
developments of the past seventeen years demonstrated again
and again just how wrong John's critics were. Together with
Katherine and their partners in this endeavor, Tom and
Annette Lantos, John has challenged all of us to season after
season of work on behalf of human rights victims. He
initiated briefings, speeches, letters, phone calls, prayer
vigils, and even fasts so that cause after cause was heard.
He challenged us to remain dedicated to the principle that
the cause of liberty is always worth the effort.
John Porter has been the conscience of the Congress on
human rights. Although he now changes venue, whatever path he
now chooses, he will surely remain a powerful ally in the
struggle for human rights. As the Assistant Secretary for
Democracy, however, I have half a mind to move to his
district and exercise my vote, repeatedly, to force him to
stay in office! Congressman Porter, Katharine: Good Luck and
Godspeed.
Speech Delivered by Gerald LeMelle, Deputy Executive Director for
Amnesty International USA
Distinguished member of Congress, distinguished staff, dear
friends and colleagues, it is my bittersweet pleasure to be
here to bid farewell to our dear friend and Co-Chairman of
the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Congressman John
Porter.
Chairman Porter has been a key leader in ensuring that the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus did not just survive the
abolition of caucuses, but has managed to thrive--even
``thrive'' might be an understatement! Today, the Human
Rights Caucus has an almost frantic pace of briefings--
Guatemala, Burma, Algeria, East Timor, Turkey--it matters not
the range of countries or even issues, all these countries
are covered in a week, with recognized experts or with the
activists who are on the front line of these issues! But the
Caucus does not cover only countries in the headlines but
countries and peoples forgotten by the glare of CNN. The
Caucus is here to ensure that human rights around the world
remain a focal point for congressional activity--even when
Congress gets caught up in other business. And for that, we
salute you.
But Chairman Porter has gone beyond the Caucus in his
pursuit of human rights. When Native American leaders
converged on Washington earlier this year to call for the
release of Leonard Peltier, they found a receptive ear in
Chairman Porter who posted an important briefing in which we
in Amnesty International were honored to participate. When
the Turkish government has gone on a public relations
offensive, or when the Administration despite its wiser
counsel had decided to pursue arms transfers to that NATO
ally, it is Chairman Porter who has been publicly on the side
of human rights.
In 1995, at a briefing organized by the Congressional Human
Rights Caucus, when Nigeria was suffering under the
oppression of the late dictator Sani Abacha, Chairman Porter
was one of few voices calling Abacha what he was--a
dictator--and one of the lone voices blasting the
Administration's policy.
And of course we cannot talk about the Chairman without
talking about Kathryn Porter, a human rights activist in her
own right. While her work on behalf of the Kurdish people and
Afghani women is widely recognized and celebrated, we also
remember the singular courage she exhibited when she spent
time with Jennifer Harbury in Guatemala, on a lonely stretch
of rural road outside an Army base.
While a politician might boast of the state dinners he or
she has attended, Chairman Porter attended a ``stateless''
dinner on behalf of Chinese dissidents. While politics is
well tuned to the powerful and the popular, Chairman Porter
has stood by the underdogs, supporting the rights of
religious and ethnic minorities throughout the world,
including the Armenians and the Ba'hais. While many in
Congress have shunned the challenge of confronting the
violations by powerful allies such as Saudi Arabia, Chairman
Porter seems to embrace such opportunities. While governments
and their representatives tend to have relationships with
other governments, we can safely say that Chairman Porter has
built relationships with peoples.
We in Amnesty International USA with its 30,000 members in
the United States and more than a million members worldwide
can say that we are greatful people for your leadership and
your support. I should also add, if I want my staff not to
kill me, that your staff has also been fabulous, including
Rachel Helfand, Karen Davis, Heidi Gasch, Katharine Fisher,
Kelly Currie, and Jeanette Windon. We have grown to respect
and rely on them as well.
Whether from your keynote speech at the Latin American
Ambassadors Colloquium in 1991 or your steadfast support in
issue after issue, you have always been there for us and for
human rights, with integrity and principle that is second to
none. Dear Chairman Porter, it's not just staffers who voted
you number one Congressperson who will be missed most--we
also read Washingtonian magazine--we too will miss you
deeply.
Thank you sir for your wonderful example and contribution
to human rights. You are a real hero to us.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I consider it a privilege to rise to honor
the retirement of a colleague who has been an outstanding leader of
this body.
I have had the opportunity to work with John Porter since he first
came to this Chamber back in 1980. He brought with him honor to this
job, and has shown great commitment and dedication to his country.
Prior to his election to Congress, John practiced law and served in
the Illinois House of Representatives for eight years. He brought with
him a great deal of legislative experience and has shown a rich
understanding of the legislative process. The leadership skills that
have allowed him to accomplish so much are inspiring.
John has accomplished a great deal while serving as Chairman of the
Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education. He has diligently worked to allocate funds for family
planning and for Medicaid.
John has worked to revitalize involvement in the political process,
trying to draw voters in, to take part in the legislative process. He
has been an advocate for education. He has also worked tirelessly to
increase spending on medical research, recognizing the need to find
cures for many life-threatening diseases.
As Chairman of the International Relations Committee, I am pleased to
note that John Porter co-founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus,
and has in that capacity worked to raise awareness of the injustices
that have been occurring in other countries.
John Porter has been a reformer who has crossed party lines on many
issues. He has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of
the aisle. His courage, and his dedication to his constituents is to be
commended.
To John's wife, Kathryn, and their five children, we wish you all the
best. I am sure you are as proud as we are of the many great years of
service John has given to his office, to his constituents, and to our
nation.
John Porter has been a great asset to this body, having fought hard
for the people of his Congressional district and our nation. We all
wish John good health and happiness in his retirement.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to my
friend and colleague, Chairman John Porter. John Porter is retiring
from the U.S. House of Representatives after eleven impressive terms.
Although I am sure that John will continue to be
[[Page H10254]]
active on issues such as health care, the environment, and human
rights, his presence will be missed by the House of Representatives as
a whole and by the Illinois delegation in particular.
As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
Appropriations Subcommittee, John has been a tireless advocate of the
Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health. In
fact, John has worked to increase funding for the National Institutes
of Health, with a goal of doubling spending from fiscal year 1997 to
2002. Because of John's efforts, Congress is on track to meet this
important goal. By increasing funding for biomedical research into
effective treatments and possible cures for diabetes, cancer, AIDS, and
other life-threatening diseases, John is helping to save lives. He is
also helping to save our nation billions of dollars in health care
costs. This is a proud legacy to leave behind.
In addition, John can be proud of his active involvement in
protecting and promoting human rights around the world. John is the
founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, a
voluntary bipartisan association of Members of Congress working to
identify, monitor and end human rights violations worldwide. I am proud
to be one of the 250 Members of Congress who participate in this
important caucus. John cares deeply about the plight of the persecuted
around the world and has regularly engaged in fasts and prayer vigils
to bring needed national attention to the issue of human rights.
Although John's leadership and active participation will be sorely
missed, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus will continue John's
crusade to protect and promote human rights around the globe. Again,
this a proud legacy to leave behind.
Finally, although John and I do not always agree on all issues, I
have always admired his conservative stance on fiscal issues. I also
consider myself a fiscal conservative and admire John's unwavering
commitment to eliminating deficits and balancing the federal budget. He
should be proud that he is leaving Congress in an era of balanced
budgets and record budget surpluses.
Again, although I am sure that John will remain active on issues like
health care, the environment, and human rights, he will be missed here
in the House of Representatives. He has served his constituents and the
nation well. I wish John the best of luck in all of his future
endeavors.
____________________