[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE LARRY COMBEST

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Larry Combest on 
his nearly twenty years of service for the people of Texas. He has had 
a wonderful career helping others at the local level, helping others as 
a Congressman and helping others as the Chairman of the House 
Agriculture Committee. He has served this House of Representatives and 
our country well. He will be truly missed.
  As a freshman member I had the pleasure of serving with Larry on the 
Agriculture Committee. During this time, I found him to be a wealth of 
information regarding agriculture policy and I relied on him heavily on 
many issues that were debated in the committee. As Chairman of the 
Agriculture Committee, Larry made great efforts to consider the 
diversity of America's agriculture, which helped us to create a broad 
and sensible agricultural policy.
  Larry has traveled to southwest Missouri to meet with students and to 
seek advice from farmers where I live. He has worked tirelessly for the 
future of agriculture in America.
  One of the best examples of this effort is found in ``The Farm 
Security Act of 2002''. In developing this landmark legislation, Larry 
organized numerous field hearings throughout the country in an attempt 
to understand what America needed in sound farm policy. He also felt 
that it was necessary to talk to farmers and local people seeking 
grassroots advice. As a result of this Chairman Combest helped develop 
a road map that will improve agriculture policy and help secure the 
future of our Nation.
  I stand here today to congratulate Chairman Combest on his years of 
service and to wish Larry and Sharon the best as they begin a new 
chapter in their lives.

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