[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE NORMAN 
     SISISKY, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

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                               speech of

                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2001

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, the death last week of our friend and 
colleague Norm Sisisky claimed one of our great leaders, and took away 
one of my respected and personal friends in Congress.
  Norm symbolized the very best there is in public service. A good 
family man, Norm was widely respected for his honesty and integrity. He 
was also one of the most wonderful, witty and funny people I have 
known.
  On the Intelligence Committee, where I had the privilege to serve 
with Norm, you could always count on him to give everyone a hard time. 
Whether he was grilling the director of the FBI, or just kidding around 
with staff, Norm was relentless when it came to dispensing good humor 
and well-intentioned grief. But he always did so in the most embracing 
and engaging way. With a sparkle in his eye, Norm always had the unique 
ability to say the right thing to break the tension and put a human 
face on our work.
  But there was so much more to Norm Sisisky than just his great sense 
of humor. When it comes to military and national defense matters, there 
was no one more knowledgeable or more committed than Norm. His 
expertise in military affairs enabled him to serve both his district 
and our nation well.
  As a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence 
Committee, Norm led the fight to improve our nation's military 
readiness, enhance our national security, and ensure America's 
leadership in the world. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Norm for 
his persistent and visionary leadership on defense matters. Clearly, 
our military and intelligence communities have lost a great friend.
  Norm came to Congress after a long and successful career in the 
private sector. He put his business skills and knowledge to work in 
many productive ways, especially helping lead the fight for a balanced 
budget and smaller government. Norm epitomized the kind of public 
servant our founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the 
Constitution: a skilled and successful businessman giving back to his 
community, and leading Congress with his thoughtful and pragmatic 
advice.
  We will miss Norm's knowledge, his leadership and his wonderful sense 
of humor. Our friend from Virginia made a huge impact in Congress, both 
as a leader and as a friend. My sympathies go out to Norm's wife Rhoda, 
their four sons Richard, Mark, Stuart and Terry, and their entire 
extended family.

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