[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10798-H10803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE TOM EWING ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodling). Under the Speaker's announced
policy of January 6, 1999, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I come to
the floor tonight to spend some time to think about a good friend and
colleague who is also leaving, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing).
I have been joined by a couple of my colleagues that because of the
lateness of the hour I would like for them to have the opportunity to
address the House and then I will pick up.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from upstate Illinois (Mr.
Porter) whom we have heard a lot about tonight already.
Mr. PORTER. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding to me. I
am very pleased to be able to participate in this tribute to our
colleague, Tom Ewing. Mr. Speaker, I was elected to the Illinois
General Assembly in 1972. Tom Ewing was elected to the Illinois General
Assembly in 1974. I had the privilege of serving with Tom for 4 years,
1974 to 1978 in the Illinois House of Representatives. He roomed with
another Illinois representative elected in his class of 1974, Lee
Daniels of Elmhurst, and I sat next to Lee Daniels. Now, I was a one-
term member when Lee Daniels and Tom Ewing arrived in the chamber and
the first order of business because the Democrats had achieved in 1974
a very large majority in the Illinois House as a result of the
Watergate problems and the first order of business was the election of
a Speaker of the House. Two Democrats vied with one another, and Bill
Redmond, who was from Lee Daniels' area, had not quite enough votes to
be elected Speaker. The balloting went on for 14 days with 88 ballots
being cast without a result, and no Speaker having been chosen, when
Lee Daniels, a Republican, finally broke the tie, or broke the impasse
and cast a Republican vote for his Democratic colleague, Bill Redmond,
to become Speaker of the House, and that caused Bill Redmond's
election. Now, I sat there pleading with Lee Daniels not to cast that
vote. I assumed it would be the end of his political career. It is
fascinating that Lee later became the Illinois House Republican leader
and Speaker of the Illinois House and is today the minority leader of
the Illinois House. But Lee Daniels was kind of the glue that brought
Tom and I together. The three of us became very close friends, and
others I might add became very close friends in the Illinois General
Assembly, and I was very privileged to have the opportunity to serve
with Tom for those 4 years.
In 1977, I felt that I was conducting two full-time jobs. I was
practicing law, which seemed to take my full time, and I was also in
the general assembly; and that seemed to take my full time. And so I
said to myself, I am going to let my constituents decide whether they
want me to become a lawyer or a legislator full time, and I am going to
run for Congress. I took on the incumbent Democrat in my district and
after one of the really truly classic elections I think fought on the
issues, I lost that election by 650 votes out of 189,000 cast. My
constituents decided they wanted me to be a lawyer. Actually, I then
gave them another chance when my opponent immediately was appointed to
the Federal bench by President Carter, and I was elected in a special
election and left the general assembly. I came here to Washington.
Mr. Speaker, frankly it was lonely here without Old Tom. I like to
call him Old Tom because he and I are exactly the same age. Actually, I
am 4 months older but I do not admit it. And for 11 years I waited for
Tom to come to Washington, and he finally arrived in July of 1991 when
he was elected in a special election. In the meantime, he served as one
of the outstanding representatives in the Illinois General Assembly,
heading the revenue committee, acting as assistant Republican leader
under Lee Daniels from 1982 to 1990.
Finally, after all that time, Tom came and joined us here in
Washington. He brought with him, Mr. Speaker, his great commitment to
fiscal responsibility. He brought it here to Washington where it was
really, really needed. And from the very first time when he arrived
here in 1991, he worked to ensure that we attempted to balance the
budget, to protect Social Security, to promote economic growth, and he
has during his time in Washington been repeatedly recognized for his
commitment to balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility by the
Citizens Against Government Waste, by the Watchdogs of the Treasury, by
Americans for Tax Reform, by the American Taxpayers Union, by the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, by the National Federation of Independent
Business.
Over and over again, all of the organizations who watch this very
closely have recognized Tom's commitment to fiscal responsibility, and
he has been one of the great leaders here in bringing that about.
Today, we enjoy balanced budgets because of legislators like Tom Ewing.
He brought, of course, his friendship with our Speaker, Dennis Hastert,
with him. Both served in the Illinois General Assembly together as
well. And he brought with him a commitment to agriculture so important
to central Illinois and to his district, to health care and to
education, and he has received award after award for his work in each
of those three areas.
Mr. Speaker, he also has brought a commitment to transportation. He
has served on the transportation committee. One of the things that
brings us together as we work as an Illinois delegation is our
commitment to the use of ethanol in American automobile fuels. And Tom
has been a great leader in respect to bringing agriculture and
transportation together in respect to ethanol. He has also, and this
has been the area of his greatest expertise, he has served the entire
time as a member of the agriculture committee. He is chairman of the
Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, and Specialty Crops of the
Committee on Agriculture, and as you may know, Mr.
[[Page H10799]]
Speaker, Tom's predecessor was Ed Madigan, a gentleman that you served
with many years here, a gentleman who chaired the agriculture committee
and became Secretary of Agriculture under President George Bush, and
very frankly, and I will admit to my downstate colleagues this at any
time, my district has no farms.
{time} 2245
If I receive a letter regarding an agricultural issue from one of my
constituents, it would be likely to begin, my uncle or father died and
left me his farm in Iowa and then the agricultural issue may be raised.
So my knowledge of agricultural issues, which is a very difficult
segment, a very deep part of American law, I always look to my
downstate colleagues for guidance. Whenever I had to cast a vote on an
agricultural issue in the House of Representatives invariably I would
look to see where Ed Madigan was when he was here, and when he became
Secretary of Agriculture and Tom replaced him in that seat I would look
to see where Tom Ewing voted because I knew that he would know that
issue backwards and forwards and I could count on him to exercise the
kind of judgment that I respected, and I always felt complete
confidence both in Ed Madigan and in Tom Ewing in casting those votes.
Mr. Speaker, Tom Ewing is the kind of person you want in a
legislative body of this type, an honest person, a smart person, a man
of very sound judgment, a conservative who is not necessarily
conservative in a philosophical sense but conservative intellectually.
You have to convince him that change is necessary and change is the
right way to go; conservative in his personal outlook but willing to
listen to sound arguments for change that may be needed.
Mr. Speaker, Tom has served in legislative bodies, the Illinois
General Assembly, from 1974 to 1991, and here in the Congress from 1991
to the present time, a total of 26 years. I was most fortunate to be
there at the beginning when his political career started in the
Illinois General Assembly and to be his colleague there. I have been
most fortunate to be here through the 9 years that he has served in
this body, and to be his colleague here as well. Our two careers have
been exactly parallel in time and in place in large measure, at
different times in the same place, but we have served together and it
has been a wonderful, wonderful part of my service in Congress to be
able to call Tom Ewing my colleague and my friend. He has earned the
accolades of his colleagues and constituents for his work. He has
earned a deserved retirement with his wonderful wife, Connie. I cannot
tell you what it has meant to me to be a friend and a colleague of a
gentleman like Tom Ewing. I wish him well in his retirement, in all
that he undertakes in the future. He has been a true credit to American
politics, to public service and to the Illinois General Assembly and
this esteemed institution.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record the
following statements, a statement from Congressman Ewing's staff, a
letter by the Governor of the State of Illinois, and a letter by Eric
Nicoll, former staff director for Congressman Ewing and now an industry
representative in Washington.
As members of Tom Ewing's staff, we have a unique
perspective on what makes Tom such a great person and
Congressman. He is a man who is straightforward and honest, a
solid, upstanding, good-hearted person--a true Midwesterner.
Tom is one of the hardest workers in Congress, setting an
example we could never meet, being the first person in the
office in the morning, and the last to leave.
Tom's quiet leadership, friendly manner, gentle guidance
and terrific sense of humor created a great working
environment. He made sure that we all worked hard, but never
took ourselves too seriously, constantly joking with and
teasing us all. Staff always had a lot of latitude to work on
their issues and projects, and the door to Tom's office was
always open. He was always interested in our opinions and
input, and tolerant of mistakes. We will always remember him
as the ideal boss--a mentor, friend, and someone we could
look up to and on whom we could depend.
Tom considers his staff an extension of his family, and
takes great interest in all that is happening in our lives.
He is first and foremost a family man, and when members of
our staff faced family emergencies, Tom made sure that our
families came first.
In short, Tom Ewing reminds us all that public service can
and should be an honorable profession--he is a shining
example of why citizens could get involved in their
government. Tom has said that in politics, ``it is always
best to leave with your hat in the air.'' That he has done.
We will miss Tom greatly, and wish him every success and
happiness as he moves into the next chapter of his life.
____
State of Illinois,
Washington Office,
Washington, DC, October 11, 2000.
Hon. Thomas W. Ewing,
House of Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Tom: On behalf of the State of Illinois, please accept
our profound appreciation for your tireless efforts and
myriad contributions for people throughout the State of
Illinois and our nation.
As the 106th Congress of the United States nears
adjournment, we understandably pause to reflect on the
benefits for all of us from your 17 years of service in the
State Legislature and nearly a decade in Congress. As a
family man, farmer, business owner, lawyer and a devoted
public official, your unassuming, yet effective leadership,
in both the Illinois and the US House of Representatives will
not soon be forgotten.
Those of us who have had the good fortune to work closely
with you know how important your family has been to you
throughout your years of public service. You and your wife,
Connie, have six wonderful children and five very special
grandchildren. Your mother, Harriet, is justifiably proud of
your many awards and accomplishments. Hopefully one of the
benefits of the days to come will be more relaxed moments
with your family. In any event, you have earned and will be
able to savor a host of memories--including more election
nights then you care to remember, along with the Ewing for
State Representative signs on the back of your father's horse
trailer!
Since our days together in the Illinois House of
Representatives, nearly 25 years ago, you have remained an
esteemed colleague, and more importantly, a dear friend. Side
by side, we weathered debates when our views did not easily
prevail. Whether in the majority or the minority, you always
advocated common sense solutions and fought effectively and
wholeheartedly for your constituents.
Your deep commitment to sound fiscal policy, quality
education, free trade, along with your dedication to farmers
and their families are but a few of the reasons why your
constituents value your lifetime of public service so very
much. You have known when to speak out and when to listen.
You have earned a national leadership role among those who
have unselfishly provided future generations with so much.
Your friends at home, in the Illinois General Assembly,
among Members of Congress and admirers of yours from around
our state and nation join Lura Lynn and me in communicating
an enthusiastic thank you, in wishing you and yours the very
best of health and happiness, and in expressing our hope that
we will find new and creative ways to work together with you
in the future!
Very truly yours,
George H. Ryan,
Governor.
____
October 3, 2000.
Hon. John M. Shimkus,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Shimkus: Thank you so much for sponsoring
a Special Order to honor Congressman Ewing on his retirement
for the House. Congressman Ewing hired me as his Legislative
Director on the day he was sworn in on July 10, 1991 and I
worked in his office for over six years.
I know that I speak on behalf of dozens of current and
former staff and interns over the years in saying that we are
proud to have had the chance to work for Tom Ewing. He is one
of the most decent persons I can think of--in or out of
Congress.
Congressman Ewing helped many of us start our careers in
politics and gave us opportunities to grow professionally.
But more importantly, he looked out for us personally and
acted as a second father to many of the staff--listening to
our problems and giving us helpful advice. In fact, he helped
me buy my first home and even gave me pointers in negotiating
my first job off the Hill!
Congress will be losing a fine man when Tom Ewing retires.
And, you'll be losing that cutting Midwest human! Thanks for
recognizing him with this Special Order.
Sincerely,
Eric Nicoll,
Director of Government Relations.
Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, now I would like to turn to one of the great
agricultural leaders of the country and in the Congress, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), showing the bipartisan aspect of this period
of time to reflect on Congressman Ewing. I appreciate him coming down.
Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), very much for yielding, and I thank him for his
extra kind remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I would say to the previous speaker, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Porter), I have not known Tom as long he has, but I can
say that
[[Page H10800]]
evidently he learned his trade well in the Illinois legislature because
he carried that over into the House of Representatives.
As a Texan, I cannot say that Tom and I have always agreed on every
aspect of agriculture, our States being a little different, the
rainfall, climate being a little different, but I believe it would not
be an overstatement to say that in the 9 years that I have served with
him on the Committee on Agriculture that I cannot think of a time in
which we have not been able to find a constructive middle ground. For
the last 6 years, Tom has chaired the Subcommittee on Risk Management,
Research, and Specialty Crops, and that has been a challenge. Consensus
building, though, has been the hallmark of Tom's leadership. His legacy
is well established through some very difficult pieces of legislation.
Soon after he became chairman, he brought together administration and
industry officials to develop a compromise that broke a long-lasting
stalemate over the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. His work
for peanuts, tobacco and sugar farmers have made this Northerner a
welcome and well-known guest in rural communities throughout the South.
When it comes to promoting agricultural exports, again Tom Ewing has
been a leader. Whether it was NAFTA, whether it was attempting and
ultimately getting the permanent normal trade relations with China, Tom
recognized for his farmers, as most of us who represent rural areas
recognize for our farmers, the absolute necessity of increasing trade.
Ninety-six percent, for example, of all of the world's consumers live
outside of the United States and Tom recognized that and he was a great
ambassador for American agriculture.
Research is another area of Tom's hallmark, where he has been a very
forward thinking member. The promise of our future food and fiber
production system depends on having solid research foundation and Tom
has been a dedicated member of the House Committee on Agriculture,
ensuring that innovations and efficiencies continue to bring forth from
our research system.
Tom Ewing also deserves a great deal of credit for the enactment of
the Agricultural Risk Protection Act earlier this year. He understands
the risk that our producers face and his mark on our risk management
policy will be long lasting.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, Tom made some previously unimaginable strides
this year in driving agreements that no one thought could be reached
with regard to the Commodities Exchange Act, having fought for that
particular piece of legislation for years, but under Tom's leadership
the House last week passed by a vote of 377-4 the Commodities Exchange
Act, a remarkable achievement. I hope the Senate acts quickly to make
this work complete so that it can be a true legacy to Tom Ewing's
leadership here in the House.
One other comment, as so many of us readily admit that we have over
married as far as the better half of our family, certainly Connie and
the friendship that Cindy and I have had with Tom and Connie over the
years is very indicative that behind this good leader there has been an
even better woman, and that is something that many of us appreciate,
and I certainly do in Tom and Connie.
I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for
yielding me this time tonight to say how much this Texan has
appreciated, Tom, your leadership in serving in the House and we will
truly miss you.
Mr. SHIMKUS. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) for
taking the time out late to honor our friend and colleague.
General Leave
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on the subject of my special order tonight.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodling). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield time to the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), for taking the
lead on this tribute to Congressman Tom Ewing tonight.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few moments to recognize and
reflect on the outstanding public service record of our friend and
colleague from Illinois, Tom Ewing. Tom is retiring after devoting more
than 25 years, including 9 years in this House, to serving the people
of Illinois and the people of this Nation. Over that time, I think that
Tom has established himself as one of the most valuable, well liked and
well respected Members of the House, and I think I speak for all of us
to say that it has been a pleasure to serve with him. He did begin his
public service in 1974 as a member of the Illinois House of
Representatives which we have heard reference to several times, and he
served there with distinction for 17 years. While in Springfield, Tom
served as the assistant Republican leader of the Illinois House from
1982 until 1990, when he was named deputy minority leader. I too served
in the Illinois House and as assistant Republican leader, but to my
regret we never served there together. As ships that pass in the night,
Tom left the General Assembly in 1991 and I was elected to serve there
in 1992.
In a way, it was agriculture that brought Tom to this House, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to be exact. When President Bush named the
late former Congressman Ed Madigan as Secretary of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Tom ran in the 1991 special election for the seat and
won handily. In fact, he won so handily that he turned around and ran
again during the next year, 1992, and won again handily.
So there are many reasons, I think, why this body will miss this
Member in particular, and will sorely miss this Member Tom Ewing.
I would like to address the four top reasons that I will miss him.
First and foremost is his invaluable expertise on all things relating
to farms, farmers, farm financing, agriculture commodities and
agriculture in general. In fact, before I actually met Tom Ewing, I
thought of him as ``Mister Illinois Agriculture.'' That was not because
of his impressive leadership role in this body but, frankly, for his
weekly interviews on WGN's radio farm report with Orion Samuelson and
Max Armstrong. Each week as I commuted from Chicago to Springfield,
Illinois, for the Illinois General Assembly legislative session, the
road that took me through this rich farmland of Tom's district, I-55,
as I drove along I would hear these discussions with Orion and Max
which enlightened me on the farm policy.
So now as one whose suburban Chicago district has seen acres of rows
and rows of corn replaced by rows and rows of single family dwellings,
I must admit that it was Tom that I turned to for advice on issues
relating to agriculture. He was always patient, always insightful and
always frank.
The second reason that I will miss him is that together he and I
represent two-thirds of the Illinois Delegation on the Committee on
Science, and together we have fought many a battle to ensure continued
funding for two of the world's premier research institutions: The
University of Illinois at Champaign and Argonne National Laboratory
located in our respective districts. I cannot say that I rely as
heavily on Tom's advice in the Committee on Science as I do on
agricultural issues, however, but on occasions that he was sighted at a
committee meeting I was always confident of his advice and always
confident that we would be voting on an issue of interest to the
University of Illinois at Champaign.
The third reason that I will miss Tom is for his devotion to the
principles of free and fair trade, and his leadership in pressing open
markets for our products and services abroad. Together we served on the
whip team for permanent normal trade relations with China and together
we spent a lot of time locked down in Seattle during the WTO
ministerial last year. Tom's district exports the farm products that
feed the world, just as my district exports the manufactured products
and services that the world demands.
{time} 2300
His efforts to open markets, not just for American farm products, but
for all products and services will long be remembered. His council on
agricultural trade, not to mention his insights into the issues that
have dominated the
[[Page H10801]]
past decade's trade negotiations are without compare.
Last, but not least, I will miss Tom for his candor, his humor and
his joy in life. Tom will be remembered for the great things he
accomplished during his service here, from drafting and guiding passage
of the Freedom to Farm Act of 1996, to fighting for the repeal of the
unfair death tax, to leading the way in reforming and reauthorizing the
Commodities and Exchange Act.
But for those who of us who have had the privilege of serving with
him, Tom will be remembered the best and missed the most for his warm
friendship, his ready humor and his generosity of spirit and time. So I
join my colleagues tonight in wishing Tom and his wife, Connie, and
their wonderful six children all the best that their future life has to
offer. So I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for
allowing me to participate in this tribute.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs.
Biggert).
Mr. Speaker, I am now joined by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Hoekstra), and we are glad to have him and please entertain us with
your reflections of Congressman Ewing.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. I thank my colleagues from Illinois for pulling
together the special order to recognize the accomplishments of our
colleague, Mr. Ewing. Before I do that, I cannot help but acknowledge
the contributions of the gentleman sitting in the chair this evening,
who has been my chairman for the last 6 years, who was my ranking
member for the 2 years before that, who still every once in a while
pulls me aside for a couple of words of wisdom, especially on one
project that we remember so fondly from 1993 where he continues to say
I told you so, in a very good-humored way, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, (Mr. Goodling).
Thank you for the contributions that you have given to this Congress,
to this House, to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, to me
personally for the last 8 years and trying to keep me under your wing,
sometimes being successful, sometimes wishing you had a little bit of a
tighter rope to pull me back. But we have had a great colleagueship and
a good friendship over the last 8 years, and I want to again express my
appreciation to you for that, and to wish you Godspeed as well as you
move into your retirement, which probably will include some work,
probably will commit some time to the passion that you have for
education and public service, and probably will continue some time for
your passion with the horses and that side of your business, and the
orchards, the apples and those types of things, and the peaches, I
think.
Thank you very much for the contributions that you have made. I could
not start talking about another friend of mine without recognizing your
service and seeing you in the Chair tonight. So thank you very much.
Mr. Speaker, Tom and I kind of developed a special friendship over
the years that I have been here. Tom came in to the Congress in a
special election in the Congress before I did. I got elected in 1992.
Tom had served here a short period of time prior to me coming here. We
came here in different routes. Tom having had experience of 25 years,
26 years, or at that point in time 17 years, 18 years in the State
legislature, and before I came here, I came directly from the private
sector.
When I came here, Tom, I think, still regrets the day that he came to
his office on the third floor of the Longworth and found out that he
had this freshman Republican from Michigan next door, and for the next
2 years, I constantly would just kind of move. I would come into my
office. As I faced an issue or whatever or just had a little bit of
extra free time, we just kind of meandered and roamed over to that guy
next door and to his staff. And we really developed a very good and, I
think, a very unique friendship that I cherish over the last 8 years.
Tom was a great neighbor. I have gotten to know at least part of the
family having met them here in Washington or having spent some time
with them back in the district. I have had the opportunity to go back
into Tom's district a few times and spent some time with Connie and
also with their son Sam. I have not had the opportunity to meet all the
other children. But it is a great district that has been very, very
well represented, and the time that I spent going back through the
district, recognized that he is as well liked in his district as he was
here by his colleagues. I think that is a great testament to the work
that he has done.
I also recognized that his golf game is not a whole lot better than
mine, it is not a whole lot better than the Chairman of the Committee
on Education and the Workforce. I think what we all have in common is
we have a pretty mediocre game of golf. That is the thing that I have
cherished most in the 8 years that I have gotten to know Tom, is the
hospitality, the friendship, some of the other things that the
gentleman has talked about, just a great fun spirit, always an open
heart and a willing hand to help a new Member to the political process
get done what we needed to get done.
Mr. Speaker, it is more than just about friendship. It was also about
mentorship. Tom took the time, the energy and the effort, sometimes the
tremendous effort that it would take to teach me the ropes, explain to
me how things worked here, explain to me how things would not work
here, and how some of the things that I thought might be important in
the way that I might want to get them done, was very willing to provide
some minor suggestions on how I might modify some of the things that I
would do to maximize the impact that I could have in here, that I could
have here in Washington, taking the time to introduce me to his
friends, both the staff here in the House, his friends in the Congress
that he knew, and also friends outside of the Congress who are very
knowledgeable about the issues that Tom and I would have to work on.
The second thing I remember is the mentorship and the caring that he
took, not only with me, but I think with a lot of other new Members who
were coming into the House. Recognizing that we had a huge class that
came into the House in 1992, I think we ended up with 47 new Members on
the Republican side of the aisle in 1992, joined by another 80-plus
Members in 1994. So there was a tremendous need for the friendship and
the mentorship that someone like Tom Ewing could provide.
Then the tremendous background. I think some of the other Members
tonight have talked about his background and his depth of experience on
some of the issues, his depth of experience on the Committee on
Agriculture, the way that he dealt with those issues, and the
effectiveness with which he would take ideas and move them through the
political process. The same type of depth and background that he has on
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
He and I spent a short period of time together on the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure. I then moved off of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and had been on the Committee on the
Budget for 5 years out of the last 6 years. But again he had the same
kind of depth of background and experience again that he was very, very
willing to share, and again with something that he has in common with
the gentleman who is presiding tonight, the gentleman tonight of course
presiding with his experience and the whole area of education.
So they in their background and experience were very willing and are
willing to lead us through the maze and the complexity of the issues
that they had to deal with in those areas. So in closing, I would just
say, Tom, you will be missed. We have had a great time here together. I
appreciate the friendship, the mentorship, the colleagueship, and the
experience that you have shared with me and that you have shared with
other Members in the House.
I wish you Godspeed on your retirement. I recognize that your
retirement will include some work. I bet it will include some overseas
trips. I know how much Tom likes to travel, how much Tom and Connie
like to travel, and I am sure that it will include some work on that
pretty mediocre game of golf that you have at this point in time. You
will be missed. Thanks to Tom. Thanks to Connie, and thanks to the
family for sharing him with us here in Washington for the last 8 years
to 9 years.
[[Page H10802]]
Mr. SHIMKUS. I thank my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for
taking the time out tonight to speak about my colleague and friend and
a person who we are going to miss here in Washington.
And I finally will rise to pay tribute to my dear friend, Tom Ewing.
Tom was elected in 1991 to replace Ed Madigan who was appointed
Secretary of Agriculture. Since that time, he has been overwhelmingly
reelected by the constituents of the 15th District in Illinois.
During his 9 years in Congress, Tom has worked tirelessly for our
Nation's farmers, whether it has been to increase the use of ethanol,
rewrite our Nation's outdated farm laws or work to open new foreign
markets.
Tom has been a champion for U.S. agriculture, especially with MFN
status for China, or as we know it now NTR, and as we now know as PNTR.
Tom saw the huge market potential for our farmers in China and fought
hard to make it a reality. Being a farmer himself, Tom knows the
importance farmers play in our national economy.
Before his election to Congress, Tom served 17 years in the Illinois
House where he was assistant Republican leader from 1982 to 1990, and
was named deputy minority leader in 1990. Prior to that, Tom was the
assistant State's attorney in Livingston County, Illinois. Like myself,
Tom also served in the United States Army, and as I always like to say,
go Army. Beat Navy.
My connection with Congressman Ewing goes back to 1991, during my
first unsuccessful campaign for Congress. And, of course, there are
always good stories that occur on the campaign trail, Mr. Speaker. But
even though I had Tom's help and he traveled around my district, I was
not successful. But in 1994, I was being courted to run again.
I met with Congressman Ewing in his office in Bloomington, Illinois
one cold February morning. I was concerned about running, understanding
the great challenge of a large rural district and just having had my
first son, we sat down and talked about it. And the political history
of this Nation will mark 1994 as a very, very important year for
especially the change in the House of Representatives.
There was a great pressure to continue to bring good candidates to
the floor, and I asked the question that I think many Members who run
for Congress ask who are concerned about their family, and I asked now
that I have a young son, how is this going to impact my family. And
Congressman Ewing looked at me and he said, John, if you ever think
Congress is going to be family friendly, if you ever think that that
job is going to be family friendly, forget it, because no matter how
they restructure it, no matter what they try to do, the basic aspect of
working in Washington, representing the large district is not, by
nature, by definition family friendly.
He was concerned more about my family than he was concerned about
recruiting a viable candidate to win in a congressional district. He
put my family and his recommendation about my family to the forefront.
And for that, I will always thank him. History now shows that in 1996,
I did have a chance to run again. Tom was there at my side again,
helping me negotiate the environment issue, helping me negotiate the DC
environment, and with his help and the help of many other people, I had
the fortune to represent the 20th district, which is south and west of
Congressman Ewing's district.
Since that time, it has been my honor to serve Tom these past 4
years; and he was my mentor and advisor as a candidate. He quickly
became a mentor and advisor to me in Washington. He has been someone I
have been able to look up to since I have been here. He will listen to
every argument before making a final decision, and he will make sure he
listens to opposing views.
While that may not seem like a big deal to most Members, it has meant
a lot to me. Oftentimes we meet with people or groups who are opposed
to a particular stance we may take. Instead of working against these
groups, Tom has listened and tried to find areas of compromise and
agreement; that is why the people of the 15th district sent him back to
Washington time and time again.
Aside from Tom's work in support of agriculture on the House
Committee on Agriculture, he has also served on the House Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Science, and the
Committee on House Administration.
{time} 2315
On the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he has been a
champion for the transportation needs of rural areas in this country,
especially in downstate Illinois. As a member of the Committee on
Science, Tom has worked diligently for increased funding for university
research. With two major universities in his district, he realizes the
importance of university research and the impact it has on our country.
During our reorganization meetings for the 106th Congress, Tom Ewing
placed a name as a nomination to be a majority leader. Some people
forget that this occurred. Another young Member from the Illinois
delegation seconded that motion. That motion was for the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hastert) to become the majority leader. The vote was
taken, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) had committed his
vote and, of course, the gentleman did not get elected to the majority
leader's position and stayed in his role initially as chief deputy
whip. But history now shows another conclusion of that time in the
history of this House.
One cannot really talk about Tom Ewing and his role in the House of
Representatives without also talking about the great friendship and
working relationship between Tom Ewing and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. They roomed together, they worked together, they
fought on issues for Illinois together, and I am sure of the comments
that will be submitted in this Record, along with those will be a
submission in the Record by the Speaker of the House to remember his
great friend and colleague, Tom Ewing. So the record would not be
complete without mentioning that dynamic duo that brought so much to
the State of Illinois and to this Nation.
I would also like to thank Tom and his wife, Connie, for the years of
service to this Congress. Connie has been a great friend to my wife,
Karen. Tom and Connie will be greatly missed and not easily replaced.
The people of the 15th district should be proud to have had a man like
Tom serving in Congress. We thank you, Tom.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to my
friend and colleague, Congressman Tom Ewing. Tom Ewing is retiring from
the U.S. House of Representatives after almost a decade of service to
the people of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Illinois. Tom
will be missed by the Members of this House and by the Members of the
Illinois delegation in particular.
Tom and I both serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. We worked together to help make sure that the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century, the massive highway and transit
funding bill that passed in 1998, provided increased funding for
transportation infrastructure in the State of Illinois. Due in part to
Tom's efforts, Illinois received a $200 million increase in federal
highway funds under TEA 21. In addition, during this year's debate on
the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, Tom was a
tireless advocate for improved air service to small and rural
communities, such as those that he represents. In particular, Tom has
been particularly effective in advocating the Central Illinois Regional
Airport, which recently gained increased jet service by both United
Airlines and American Airlines.
Tom also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is the
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Risk Management, Specialty Corps and
Research. Because of his position on the Agriculture Committee, Tom is
able to look out for the interests of the soybean and corn growers in
his district. For example, Tom is a vocal supporter of the use of
ethanol, which is produced from Illinois prairie grain. In fact, in
1998, because of Tom's strong support and tireless efforts, the federal
subsidy for ethanol was extended to the year 2007. In addition to
protecting the interests of Illinois farmers, Tom has been an advocate
for farmers across our nation. Tom, a farm owner, knows firsthand the
needs and concerns of America's farmers and has successfully encouraged
Congress to help farmers in rural America.
Tom has served the constituents of the Fifteen Congressional District
of Illinois well. Tom has also served the nation well. Tom has been an
active leader on a number of national issues, ranging from crime
prevention, welfare reform, preserving Social Security, balancing
[[Page H10803]]
the budget, promoting economic growth, recognizing our nation's
veterans, improving education and improving health care. Personally, I
want to thank Tom for his work on changing the Health Care Financing
Administration's policy regarding Medicare coverage of insulin infusion
pumps. Because of Tom's efforts, many diabetics and senior citizens on
limited incomes will now be able to afford this needed device. The
American Association of Diabetes Educators reports that the use of the
insulin pump will result in a substantial reducing of many long-term
complications of diabetes. This is great news in the fight against
diabetes in this country.
Tom has an impressive record of service to this nation. Not only did
Tom serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms, but he
also served for 17 years in the Illinois House of Representative. In
addition, he is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. I want to
thank Tom for all of his service to the State of Illinois and the
United States. His leadership and valuable contributions on a number of
issues will be sorely missed. I wish him the best of luck in all of his
future endeavors.
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. Tom Ewing. Mr. Ewing and I have served
together on both the Science and Transportation and Infrastructure
Committees. We have worked on many bipartisan issues to improve our
nation and home state of Illinois including the promotion of ethanol
use and production as well as many transportation initiatives.
Tom Ewing has represented the 15th District and State of Illinois
well over the past decade. Mr. Ewing began his distinguished career as
an attorney, having graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1968. As
a member of the House of Representatives he worked hard to ensure his
constituents were well represented.
Mr. Speaker, Tom Ewing has served this institution well and he will
be greatly missed. I wish Mr. Ewing and his family well in the years to
come.
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