[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CARL T. CURTIS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MIDWEST REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS 
                                BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2003

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice in 
support of S. 703, the Carl T. Curtis National Park Service Midwest 
Regional Headquarters Building Designation Act.
  Carl Curtis served in Congress longer than any other Nebraskan--16 
years in the House followed by 24 years in the Senate. In those 40 
years, he built a strong legacy of legislative accomplishments. One of 
his greatest was the creation of the Pick-Sloan Plan for the Missouri 
basin, which was the blueprint for flood control and irrigation along 
the Missouri River. In addition, he came to be widely regarded as an 
authority on tax policy. He also transformed the Senate Republican 
Conference, making it the research body it is today, providing relevant 
information on national issues for the members of his caucus.
  Politically, he was a force to be reckoned with. Having defeated two 
incumbent governors, one former governor, one governor-to-be, and two 
former House members, Carl Curtis is known by many as ending or 
sidetracking many a political career. But for me, Mr. Speaker, it is 
just the opposite. I credit Mr. Curtis with having given life to my 
political career by virtue of the fact that he sponsored me as a Senate 
page. I served 4 years as a page, and have since gone on to serve in a 
number of political positions--in the Nixon Administration, Fairfax 
County Supervisor, and of course my current role as the Representative 
for the 11th District of Virginia. Along the way, though, we all 
remember the person who gave us our first break. For me, that person 
was Senator Carl Curtis.
  Senator Curtis passed away on January 24, 2000. I still owe him a 
debt of gratitude, and appreciate this opportunity to express my 
continuing appreciation.

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