[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E576]]
                TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVE SONNY CALLAHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the achievements 
and life of our former colleague, Herbert Leon Callahan, universally 
known as Sonny. I appreciate the invitation by our colleague, Jo 
Bonner, Sonny's worthy successor, to express my thoughts about Sonny.
  Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Sonny graduated from McGill 
Institute High School in Mobile, and went to serve his country 
honorably in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1954. Later, he 
attended the University of Alabama, Mobile.
  Following a successful career in business, and terms in the Alabama 
state House of Representatives and state Senate, Sonny was elected to 
the 99th Congress. He went on to serve his district and his state with 
distinction for the next 16 years. During this time, he developed into 
a key authority on foreign aid matters in the House, and he rose to 
become one of the ``Cardinals,'' the Appropriations subcommittee 
chairmen.
  His involvement with foreign aid allowed him to do great good deeds 
to help those in need, and it allowed him to develop friendships with a 
unique cast of characters. I laughed at Sonny's quip about his efforts 
with the rock star, Bono, which he described as the ``Sonny and Bono 
show.''
  Also, first as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign 
Operations, then as Chairman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, 
Sonny always honored every appropriations request with fairness and a 
much-appreciated willingness to work with members. Sonny helped me 
personally in my efforts to improve the conditions of my district in 
rural West Virginia, and I want to publicly and personally thank him 
for his efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that we are greatly privileged to serve our 
constituencies and our Nation during our time in office. The ``People's 
House'' in which we serve is a monument to the American people, and it 
is a symbol of our country's sustained democracy. Let it be known that 
during his time in office Sonny Callahan served the People's House with 
distinction.
  I wish Sonny well in his retirement. As I have said elsewhere, our 
loss is a clear gain for his family and friends.