[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E55]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PAYING TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR JOHN LOVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise 
today to pay tribute to and recognize the passing of a great statesman 
and national leader. On January 21, 2002, former Colorado Governor John 
Love, a leader and pillar of the State of Colorado and this nation, 
passed from us during the night at the age of 86. To many Coloradans, 
Governor Love will be remembered as a great statesman, but to those who 
knew him best, he will be remembered as John, a caring and kind soul 
always willing to lend a helping hand. I would like to take this 
opportunity, before this body today, to highlight Governor Love's many 
years of service to this nation.
  Born in Illinois, John Love's family came to Colorado in 1919, 
settling in the city of Colorado Springs. Following high school, he 
entered the University of Denver, earning a bachelors and law degree by 
1941. While the escalation of World War II waged on, John answered his 
country's call to service and joined the armed forces as a naval 
aviator. His exemplary service and courage in battle were rewarded with 
several Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the highest 
award bestowed to aviators in the arena of flight. Following the war, 
John returned to Colorado with his wife Ann, whom he married in 1942, 
and opened a private law practice.
  In the years following the war, John stayed active in local politics, 
served as a member of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the 
GOP Central Committee. Dissatisfied with Colorado's chief executive, 
and having no political office experience, John considered a bid to run 
for governor. In 1962, John entered the Colorado gubernatorial race and 
ran as the ``citizen's governor'' with a platform of growing the state 
economy and increasing educational opportunities. He defeated incumbent 
Steve Nichols, and became Colorado's 36th Governor.
  During his three terms as Governor, John was responsible for 
increasing public support for secondary and higher education, improving 
health care, reducing state income taxes, eliminating the state 
property tax, and implementing economic policies that resulted in 
record growth for the state economy. His efforts drew national 
attention, resulting in an appointment to Director of the Energy Policy 
Office for the Nixon Administration, an office that would later become 
the Department of Energy.
  Mr. Speaker, John Love was a great servant and patriot of this 
nation. His tenure as Governor, role as energy director, and self-
sacrifice to defend his nation clearly deserves the recognition of this 
body of Congress and the thanks of a grateful nation. It has always 
been known that his greatest passion was his love and dedication to his 
family. John Love is survived by sons Dan and Andy, and daughter Becky. 
Ann, his wife and companion for over fifty years, passed from us in 
1999. It is with a solemn heart that we say goodbye and pay our 
respects to a great statesman, and a patriarch of the State of 
Colorado. John Love dedicated his life to improving the lives of his 
fellow Americans, and he will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________