[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4232-H4233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cole). The Chair will remind all Members 
not to refer to occupants of the gallery.
  Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, Larry Combest is a good friend. I will miss 
him and his wife Sharon very much.
  All of his friends who remain in the House of Representatives wish 
him happiness in his new endeavors.
  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues on the House 
Agriculture Committee in saying farewell to an old friend and 
statesman, retiring Congressman Larry Combest of Texas.
  I've known Larry since I first came to Congress and joined the 
Agriculture Committee in 1993 and I have the utmost respect for his 
continual dedication to the Nation and our farmers and ranchers.
  Larry Combest's long and distinguished career has included the 
chairmanships of the

[[Page H4233]]

House Intelligence and Agriculture committees. I had the pleasure of 
working side by side with Chairman Combest as he forged the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
  From holding ten historic nationwide Agriculture Committee field 
hearings, one of which he conducted in my state of Alabama, to 
personally securing a $73.5 billion funding commitment from the House 
leadership for the new Farm Bill, Larry Combest was largely responsible 
for the successful passage of the landmark legislation for farmers and 
ranchers.
  Chairman Combest's determination made it possible for the Committee 
to write a bipartisan, effective bill in a relatively short time and 
ensure its ultimate passage into law. This legislation restored a much-
needed safety net to production agriculture that has been missing for 
too long. And when agriculture funding was under attack earlier this 
year, Larry Combest once again stood up for farmers by standing fast 
against harmful proposed budget cuts.
  As we in the House say goodbye to Larry, I thank him for his service 
to America and wish he and his wife Sharon the very best as they pursue 
a future life outside of Washington.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to 
recognize the Honorable Larry Combest as he completes his final three 
weeks serving as a Congressman in the United States House of 
Representatives. In addition to representing the 19th congressional 
district of Texas for the past 20 years, Representative Combest has 
served the entire U.S. agriculture community as Chairman of the House 
Committee on Agriculture. His dedication to his country, his 
constituents and American agriculture should not go unrecognized.
  I commend Representative Combest for his hard work and fine 
leadership while serving as Chairman of the House Committee on 
Agriculture. Although I was elected to Congress in 2000 and only served 
under his leadership on the Committee for one term, I was honored to do 
so. Throughout the 107th Congress, Chairman Combest was diligent in his 
efforts to improve farm programs and to ensure the future of 
agriculture in America. Due in large part to his relentless hours of 
hard work and outstanding leadership, the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 was passed by Congress and signed into law by 
President George W. Bush. I applaud Representative Combest for the 
strides he made to strengthen agriculture in the United States.
  Congressman Combest has certainly contributed greatly to our nation 
and to our agriculture community, and I thank him for all of his 
efforts and congratulate him on his accomplishments while serving in 
the United States Congress.
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Congressman 
Larry Combest for more than 18 years of dedicated service to the 19th 
District of Texas.
  As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I have appreciated 
his leadership as the former chairman and his genuine desire to pass 
sound legislation for America's farmers and ranchers.
  Larry took an approach to crafting the 2002 farm bill that no other 
legislator took before--he began holding hearings around the country as 
well as in Washington, listening to the producers affected by farm 
policy, asking for concrete ideas and proposals which helped the 
Committee develop a farm bill that met the needs of our agriculture 
industry.
  His ability to work in a fair bipartisan manner allowed the committee 
to establish a bill that was balanced and supported by members 
representing many regions of the United States.
  Throughout the entire process, his tireless efforts did not go 
unnoticed by his colleagues or America's agriculture sector.
  When I go home to North Carolina, I hear from my own farmers how much 
the farm bill has helped their families stay on the farm, and because 
of the leadership that Larry provided, I know my producers have a 
safety net that they can count on.
  I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve with Larry and I 
wish him and his family the best in the future.
  His leadership will be missed but certainly his accomplishments and 
all of his efforts will not be forgotten.
  It is again my pleasure to honor congressman Larry Combest for a job 
well done. He is a great statesman and trusted friend.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the House Agriculture 
Committee, I would like to pay tribute to Representative Larry Combest, 
who has announced his intention to retire at the end of May. During his 
ten terms in Congress, Larry Combest has earned a reputation of being a 
friend of American Agriculture. As Chairman of the House Agriculture 
Committee, Representative Combest always worked in a fair and 
bipartisan manner to insure that all sides had an opportunity to make 
their voices heard. This was especially true when the Agriculture 
Committee developed what eventually became the 2002 Farm Bill. In order 
to hear from all interested parties, Chairman Combest held extensive 
hearings throughout the country, including one in my hometown of 
Peoria, Illinois. I believe that this level of inclusiveness was a 
major factor in Congress passing a Farm Bill that addresses the needs 
of America's farmers and ranchers.
  Representative Combest's mark on this Chamber will not only be found 
in the work he has done for our Nation's farmers and ranchers. 
Representative Combest also served with distinction as Chairman of the 
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. While I did not have 
the privilege of serving under his Chairmanship, as a member of the 
House Intelligence Committee, I know that his legacy of bipartisanship 
and integrity remains.
  During his tenure in Congress, Representative Combest always worked 
for the interest of his constituents, his State, his country, and the 
House of Representatives. Knowing that actions speak louder than words, 
Representative Combest joined me as co-chair of the House Bipartisan 
Retreat Committee to help instill civility and bipartisanship to the 
proceedings of Congress.
  Representative Combest will be sorely missed.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Walter Lippmann stated, ``The final test of a 
leader is that he leaves behind in other men the conviction and will to 
carry on.'' Congressman Larry Combest leaves not only conviction and 
will for others to follow but also an example of representational 
leadership. His unique style of leadership has brought about positive 
change for his constituency, for the state of Texas, and for each 
position he has held as a member of Congress.
  Serving as only the third Representative in history from the 19th 
Texas Congressional District, Congressman Combest has honored the 
statesmen who preceded him in office. Always accessible and a constant 
voice for the people, his guiding strength and influence have become 
standard signatures for his work in Congress, including the drafting of 
the 2002 Farm Bill, the advocacy of medical and scientific advances 
through Texas Tech University initiatives, and promotion of the Vietnam 
Women's Memorial.
  Congressman Combest leaves behind the conviction to distinguish the 
need of the people from the will of the people and the courage to carry 
on with the good of the people.
  He is a trusted colleague and a proven leader. Congressman Larry 
Combest will be missed.

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