[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE SERVICE OF TONY HALL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. WES WATKINS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Mr. WATKINS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay 
tribute to Tony Hall--a good and selfless man who has devoted his 
career to helping the world's poor and forgotten people. I also want to 
wish God's speed to Tony as leaves us to take up his new post as U.S. 
Ambassador to the United Nations food and agricultural agencies in 
Rome.
  It has been my privilege to know Tony for almost 25 years. We both 
came to Congress in the late 1970s. Since that time, Tony has worked 
tirelessly on behalf of his constituents in Dayton--helping to bring 
good jobs to the community, working to provide health insurance to the 
poor, and strengthening scientific research at Wright-Patterson Air 
Force Base. In these and many other ways, Tony Hall has been a forceful 
and successful champion for the people of Dayton.
  But that is not why the history books will remember Tony Hall. His 
service has been about much more than the normal duties of an active 
and successful Member of Congress. Tony has been one of the most 
visible and tireless spokesmen for the poor, the disadvantaged, the 
hungry--not just here at home, but all around the world. He has lived 
the social gospel. He has helped his brothers and sisters in need. He 
has not sought personal gain or recognition for his actions. He has 
striven to make us all aware of the almost unimaginable poverty that 
lingers in the Third World. He has sought to use our astounding 
abundance to relieve the suffering of others. This is why Tony Hall 
will be remembered. This is what I will remember most of all about my 
friend.
  Mr. Speaker, others will list the list of honors and accomplishments 
that Tony has compiled. Three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, a 
co-founder of the House Select Committee on Hunger, service in the 
Peace Corps--the list is long and impressive.
  But to me, Mr. Speaker, the most impressive testaments to Tony Hall 
are his family, his love and respect for this institution, his respect 
for his colleagues, his passion for advancing the ideas he believes in, 
his love for his fellow man.
  I want to thank Tony Hall for the pleasure of his company and his 
friendship during our service together. I know that he will do much to 
make us proud in his new position as an ambassador to the United 
Nations. I am already proud of him.

                          ____________________