[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2055-E2056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REGARDING THE RETIREMENT OF GEORGE O. WITHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, this is the time of year that we say 
farewell to some old friends. That's never easy. But it is even harder 
when the friend in question spent considerable time and energy helping 
make us all look good.
  George Withers, who is leaving the Armed Services Committee staff at 
the end of this year, came to Capitol Hill in 1978. He had served his 
country in the Navy during Vietnam. But he has spent twenty-four years 
proving that national service doesn't end when you take off the 
uniform. As legislative director on a personal staff, then press 
secretary and a professional staff member of the committee, George has 
made America better every day.
  A lot of young go-getters come to work on the Hill, Mr. Speaker. But 
George proved that you don't have to be obnoxious to get things done. 
His real sense of decency and values have provided a reference and 
example for not only the Armed Services Committee staff, but all of us 
who worked with him.
  George has been the conscience of the committee staff. He is a 
devoted advocate for those Americans who most need and deserve 
Congress's protection. Discussions of national security can get pretty 
esoteric, but George makes sure that we keep our focus on people, both 
those in uniform and those our military exists to protect, As a former 
enlisted man and NCO, he never lets the former officers on the staff 
forget who the real troops are.
  Mr. Speaker, while our staff works in a non-partisan way, George is a 
determined, thoroughgoing, old-school Democrat. But look at the 
pictures on his office walls. Yes, he has photos of himself with our 
former colleagues Ron Dellums and Silvio Conte. But there's John 
Kasich, too, and President Bush. All of which speaks to the fairness 
and openmindedness with which George approached his job. He lets his 
political beliefs inform his work, but never get in the way of doing 
what was right for the country.
  To my way of thinking, George has only one flaw. The B-2 bomber is 
the pride of Whiteman Air Force Base, in my district. George led the 
fight at the staff level against the B-2, and succeeded for quite some 
time. In gratitude for George's exemplary service, I promise not to 
have one named for him.
  In recent years, George's primary duties have concerned the military 
construction budget. Every member of this body whose district has 
received military construction funds--and that's most of us--has George 
Withers to thank.
  But he was also our committee's driving force on policies concerning 
Latin America. Whether the question was the naval bombing on Vieques or 
the United States' role in Colombia, George fought for a sensible, 
humble foreign policy.

[[Page E2056]]

  George's decency doesn't stop at the Capitol door, either. When he 
isn't here--during the few hours each year we let the staff out--George 
actively supports charities. He loves riding his bike, and he loves it 
even more when he's getting contributions for every mile he rides.
  While he will tell you that he loves his work here, just ask him 
about his children, Sam and Lizzie. You'll see what love really means 
by the sparkle in his eyes. And we were all thrilled when George 
married Donna earlier this year. His departure from our little world 
means that he will have even more opportunities to love and care for 
them, and even his cat, Tom. But I warn you, George, cats don't always 
love you back.
  I will miss George Withers cheerful counsel personally. The Congress 
will be poorer for his departure. But the real accolade is that people 
around the world who will never know his name have better lives today 
because George Withers was part of this House.
  I yield back the balance of my time, noting that the House should be 
honored that George O. Withers yielded so much of his time to us.

                          ____________________