[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 157 (Wednesday, November 14, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H8161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
    PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN ROBERT ECKHARDT

  (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring the news that 
former Member of Congress Robert ``Bob'' Eckhardt passed away yesterday 
in Austin, Texas. He was 88 years old, and is survived by three 
daughters.
  Bob Eckhardt actually was in District 8 from Texas, which is now 
represented by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), but I represent 
most of the population in the geographic area that in the 1970s was 
part of Congressional District 8.
  Bob Eckhardt served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 
1981, representing the Eighth Congressional District. He was born in 
Austin, Texas, and he graduated from the University of Texas Law 
School, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and prior to 
his election to Congress he served in the Texas House of 
Representatives.
  I can say it best, I guess, with quoting the Houston Chronicle 
editorial in this morning's paper about Bob Eckhardt:
  ``Known in Congress as a serious scholar and a fervent ideologue, 
Eckhardt immersed himself and associates in complicated formulas and 
details that made him a master of the legislative process. Articulate 
and loquacious, irreverent and eccentric, Eckhardt customarily traveled 
by bicycle wearing his trademark bow tie, white suit and Panama hat, 
even years after he left Congress. He could incorporate a quote from 
Shakespeare or the Constitution in almost any debate. . ..
  ``His anti-pollution initiatives for air and water sometimes chafed 
the oil and chemical business,'' industries in the district I now 
represent. ``The toxic Substance Control Act, a landmark for 
occupational health and safety, was one of his proudest achievements.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in expressing our sincere condolences to the family of 
Congressman Robert ``Bob'' Eckhardt, and we pay tribute to his very 
distinguished life.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I was very distressed to hear about the 
passing of our former colleague, Bob Eckhardt. I am probably one of the 
few Members today serving that served at the same time with him.
  He was a member of the Committee on Commerce. I must say he was a 
unique Member. He was a scholar, a man of enormous integrity, an expert 
in areas like the War Powers Act and the energy issues. He was a man 
you could always go to and get a clearheaded point of view. He was 
very, very thoughtful and highly regarded. He was eccentric, which made 
him even more beloved by those of us who knew him.
  I want to join the gentleman in extending my condolences to his 
family, and my regrets to the people of Texas and to the House of 
Representatives and the American people for our loss of Bob Eckhardt.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
California. I know the gentleman served with him. I was a State 
Representative in the seventies when he was my Member of Congress.
  He was a man of integrity, honor, commitment, and service. He was a 
great man who gave himself selflessly for the betterment of others.

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