[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CONGRESSMAN BOB STUMP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I learned of 
the passing of recently-retired Arizona Congressman Bob Stump. Bob was 
not only a senior statesman and a great patriot, but he was a good 
friend.
  Bob was tough and hard working, always willing to do more than his 
share. The day after his sixteenth birthday, he enlisted in the Navy 
and later joined American forces in the World War II liberation of the 
Philippines and the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, he 
came home to attend Arizona State University and try his hand at cotton 
farming. His work ethic and humble nature served him well in politics.
  Bob's long and distinguished career of public service spanned 40 
years beginning with the Arizona State House of Representatives and 
Senate and ending as a senior member of the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Despite becoming the ``dean'' of Arizona congressional delegation and 
chairing the House Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services Committees, Bob 
preferred a low-key style. He was often seen opening constituent mail 
and answering the phone.
  Nevertheless, Bob was effective. No member of the House Armed 
Services Committee could have performed as well as he in shepherding 
critical funding increases for our military after nearly a decade of 
neglect by the Clinton Administration. The 2003 defense budget 
appropriately bore his name: ``The Bob Stump National Defense 
Authorization Act.''
  One of the highlights of my career was serving as the chairman of the 
House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations 
while Bob was full chairman of the House VA Committee. Under his watch, 
we made great strides in overseeing the protection and well-being of 
the nation's 26 million veterans.
  Bob was not afraid to take a stand when he knew it was in the 
nation's best interest. I'm reminded of the time he took to the floor 
to sternly defend the American flag in the face of court protection of 
desecration. ``Anyone who burns a flag will have to deal with me,'' he 
warned.
  As someone who regularly joined Bob for dinner, I was aware that he 
was suffering health problems which led to his retirement decision last 
year. I, and many others in the House, will miss his friendship. My 
condolences go out to Bob's family, friends, and former constituents.