[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JOHN JACOB RHODES WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 
                                 MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, April 12, 2003

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to announce that John 
Jacob Rhodes, former Republican Leader of the House of Representatives, 
is one of the first recipients of the Congressional Distinguished 
Service Medal. Together with Leader Gephardt, I established this award 
to recognize former Members of the House who served the American people 
with extraordinary distinction and selfless dedication. Leader Gephardt 
chose to honor Louis Stokes as his first award recipient, and I can 
think of no better person than John Rhodes to share this first tribute.
  John Rhodes was born in Council Grove, Kansas, attending public 
schools and eventually Kansas State University. After moving east and 
graduating from Harvard Law School in 1941, he practiced law in Mesa, 
Arizona. He started his service to our Nation early as a member of the 
U.S. Army Air Corps and a staff judge advocate of the Arizona National 
Guard. These experiences served him well during his thirty year career 
in the United States Congress.
  First elected as a Republican to the 83rd Congress, John Rhodes went 
on to serve in fourteen succeeding Congresses. After twenty years in 
Congress, he had earned the respect of his peers and was elected 
Minority Leader of the House for the 93rd through 96st Congresses. 
These years saw John Rhodes lead his party from the dark days of 
Watergate to the resurgent presidency of Ronald Reagan.
  And through it all, John Rhodes was considered a man of exemplary 
values, a true leader, a great listener, and steadfast peacemaker. 
Those who know him best would say he has a quiet dignity, an implicit 
trustworthiness, and a tireless devotion to the people of America. 
Pulitzer prize-winning columnist George Will said it best:

     One glance tells you. God had a Congressman in mind when he 
     made John Rhodes. And he is just what the Founding Fathers 
     had in mind when they designed the House of Representatives, 
     the body intended to be the closest to the common man.

  I can think of few equals to John Rhodes whose life and legislative 
careers merit the Congressional Distinguished Service Medal. We cannot 
thank him enough for his service to this Chamber and to our great 
country. I am truly honored to be able to present him with this award.

                          ____________________