[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1906]]
   TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE TOM EWING ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I have served with Tom Ewing since he was 
elected in a special election on July 2, 1991. Tom is one of a handful 
of members who serve on four committees: Agriculture; Transportation 
and Infrastructure; Science; and Administration. He is also a member of 
the President's Export Council. Tom represents the 15th District of 
Illinois, which covers the east central portion of our great state. 
Before his election to Congress, Tom served 17 years in the Illinois 
House of Representatives. He was the Assistant Republican Leader of the 
House from 1982 to 1990 and was named Deputy Minority Leader in 1990. 
During his tenure in the Illinois General Assembly and as a member of 
the U.S. House of Representatives, Tom has received numerous state and 
national awards from business, education, environmental, senior 
citizens and agricultural organizations. He has been recognized for his 
leadership in the areas of crime prevention, welfare reform, economic 
growth and health care.
  Tom's emphasis on fiscal integrity and personal responsibility has 
earned him praise from such groups as the United States Chamber of 
Commerce, the 60/Plus Senior Citizens Association, the United Seniors 
Association, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, and 
Americans for Tax Reform. In Congress, Tom has made balancing the 
budget, reducing the national debt, preserving Social Security, sending 
more money directly to the classroom and healthcare his top priorities. 
I know first hand from visiting with farmers in Tom's district that he 
has been a stalwart champion of agriculture issues and the opening of 
new, foreign markets for United States agriculture products. I want to 
wish Tom and his wife Connie all the best as they head toward their 
golden years.

                          ____________________