[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H5617-H5618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HON. TONY HALL

  (Mr. SAWYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, this is a happy-sad day that Tony brings to 
us. For the last 33 years, the genuine gentleman from Ohio has been 
serving the people of his community and our State and our Nation in 
remarkable ways, first in the Ohio House and then in the Senate, then 
it was as a Member of the United States Congress.
  I first met Tony, although he probably will not remember it, in 1974 
when I was working on behalf of a gubernatorial candidate all over the 
State and he was all running all over the State seeking to become 
Secretary of State. Fortunately he did not succeed in that because he 
may never have gotten to the United States Congress and to the 
threshold of the enormous opportunity and responsibility that lies 
before him today. I am confident that he will continue to be a tireless 
voice for alleviating global hunger.
  Tony has been nominated for the Nobel Prize three times. One of these 
days the recognition that that will bring, people will understand the 
value of what he has done and can do with that recognition, and we will 
not be talking about nominations anymore. I have got much more written 
here, but I know you are trying to get as many people onto the floor as 
you can, Mr. Speaker. I will put much of this in the Record.
  I just want to say that his service to his constituents has been 
remarkable as well and his work on behalf of Wright-Patterson Air Force 
Base and the whole history of aviation in Ohio has been a signal to the 
rest of the Nation of what the Miami Valley has meant in the course of 
this past century in going from the dune to the moon. It has been an 
amazing contribution.
  But above all and more important than anything else, Tony Hall sets 
the standard for decency and integrity among us in the House. He models 
the behavior he expects of ally and adversary alike, and of each, he 
seeks to make a friend by being one.
  Thank you, Tony. It has been an honor for all of us to serve with you 
as a Member of this House and for us from Ohio, in particular, as a 
member of your delegation. I hope we all will join in wishing Tony Hall 
the very best in his future endeavors because it will make our lives 
and our world a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, for the last 33 years, Tony Hall, the Gentleman from 
Ohio, has been a true public servant for the people of Ohio, first, as 
a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, then as an Ohio State 
Senator, and for the last 24 years, as a member of the United States 
Congress. Through his dedication to improving human rights and ending 
hunger, he has served this institution, the Nation, and the world in 
exemplary fashion. I am confident that in his new position as the U.S. 
ambassador to the food and agriculture organizations in Rome, the 
Gentleman from Ohio will continue to be a tireless voice for 
alleviating global hunger. He will also bring honor and dignity to his

[[Page H5618]]

new position, just as he has done in the House.
  With the Tony Hall leading our government's effort to promote food 
security across the globe, the United States will be well represented 
in the international community. Most important, those who face each day 
with hunger will have his talents and energy focused on addressing 
their burden. He has always had passion for ending hunger. Now, as the 
ambassador, he can be single-minded in his efforts and fight for this 
cause with the full support and authority of the United States 
government.
  Nominated for the Nobel Peace Price three times, Mr. Hall's 
humanitarian efforts abroad are well known. However, I believe it is 
important to highlight the important work he has done on behalf of his 
constituents throughout his tenure in Congress. He has been a staunch 
supporter of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, his district's largest 
employer, and has been a leader in the House in support of the Air 
Force Science and Technology program, which is headquartered at Wright-
Patterson.
  He also drafted legislation that was enacted in 1992 which created 
the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and established 
the Park as a unit of the National Park System. The law also 
established the Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission to assist federal, 
state, and local authorities in preserving and managing the historic 
resources in the Miami Valley that are associated with the Wright 
brothers and aviation. This park will serve as a reminder for 
generations of Dayton residents and visitors from around the world 
about the importance of Dayton as the birthplace of aviation.
  More important and above all else, he sets the standard for decency 
and integrity among us in the House. He models the behavior he expects 
of ally and adversary alike. And of each he seeks to make a friend by 
being one.
  Thank you. Tony.
  It has been an honor to serve with you as member of the Ohio 
delegation and as colleagues in this House for the past 16 years. I 
hope we will all join in wishing him the very best in his future 
endeavors.

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