[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          HONORING RON HASKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM McCRERY

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 28, 2000

  Mr. McCRERY. Mr. Speaker, as the 106th Congress draws to a close, I 
would like to join my colleagues in paying tribute to Mr. Ron Haskins, 
the Staff Director of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human 
Resources. Much to my regret, Ron will be leaving the Subcommittee at 
the end of the year. I know he will be sorely missed by this Member, 
and by the many other Members and staff who have had the opportunity to 
work with him during his time on Capitol Hill.
  Over the years, Ron has been a key asset on the Ways and Means 
Committee. As a member of the Human Resources Subcommittee, I have had 
the honor of working closely with Ron on some of the major social 
policy issues affecting our country. His in-depth understanding of the 
issues, combined with his keen ability to digest the diverse 
perspectives of Committee Members, have allowed him to help identify 
areas of compromise and agreement on difficult issues.
  As the Subcommittee's new Staff Director in 1995, Ron immediately 
employed his strong grasp of the nation's welfare system by working 
with then-Chairman Clay Shaw, and other Members of the Committee, to 
craft the 1996 Welfare Reform Act--the most significant change in 
social policy in this country in the last 60 years. Thanks to Ron's 
tireless efforts, millions of American families are breaking a cycle of 
dependency and are working and gaining independence in our nation's 
economy.
  As Ron moves on to other opportunities in his life, I join my 
colleagues in thanking Ron for his service to the Committee and to the 
country, for his good counsel, and for his energetic presence. I wish 
him all the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________