[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1331-E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING CONGRESSMAN JOHN BAYARD ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2002

  Mrs. MINK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our distinguished, 
former colleague John Bayard Anderson who represented the 16th District 
of Illinois for ten terms with great distinction.
  I remember him well. John is bright, articulate, and thoughtful; a 
pleasure to have served with and an honor to know. He worked diligently 
not only for his constituents, but for the Nation as a whole.
  In 1964, John was assigned a coveted seat on the Rules Committee. He 
introduced numerous bills on establishing better communication between 
and oversight of the various standing committees. He also diligently 
worked on campaign and election reform. In 1968 John was faced with a 
very difficult decision. His party, to which he had been very

[[Page E1332]]

faithful, wanted his support in the gutting of the civil rights bill. 
He switched his committee vote, and instead supported this critical 
piece of legislation. On the House floor, John stated ``I legislate 
today not out of fear, but out of deep concern for the America I 
love.'' I still remember these strong and moving words from my 
honorable colleague, and I am sure they echo in the minds of others as 
well.
  In 1980 John made another tough decision: he was going to join the 
race for the White House. He began the race as a Republican, but ended 
it as an Independent. There were many who thought that John's decision 
to run was a very foolish one. But John was willing to take the risk 
because he firmly believed that he could do a better job than the 
others. Six million voters across the Nation believed in him.
  I am sure that John is enjoying his tenure as Chair of the Center for 
Voting and Democracy. I am sure that as a former third-party 
Presidential candidate, John is able to provide a unique point-of-view. 
This race that he entered against all odds must serve as fuel to the 
fire in the campaign for runoff voting and forms of proportional 
representation as alternatives to winner-take-all plurality elections.
  I would finally like to wish John a very happy belated birthday. May 
you enjoy many more.

                          ____________________