[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO JACK POLLARD--A LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding 
individual who has served this House for as long as I have--more than 
26 years. Jack Pollard, who has worked on my personal staff and as a 
staff member on the House Armed Services Committee staff, recently 
retired from Federal service to pursue new opportunities in the private 
sector.
  It's fair to say that I have known Jack for his entire life. Jack was 
born in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in Lexington, Missouri, 
which is also my hometown. Our fathers were great friends from way 
back, so the Pollard family has always been a part of my life.
  Jack graduated from Lexington High School and attended the University 
of Missouri at Columbia where he earned A.B. and J.D. degrees. 
Following his graduation from Law School, he worked in Jefferson City 
as a research analyst and legislative counsel for the Missouri General 
Assembly's Committee on Legislative Research.
  Jack served on active duty with the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. His 
service included 13 months in Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne 
Division. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Bronze 
Star (Meritorious Service) during his Vietnam tour.
  After I was elected to Congress in 1976, Jack came to Washington to 
work on my staff as legislative director, and he has been with me ever 
since. He was my longtime chief of staff and most recently served as 
Democratic counsel on the House Armed Services Committee.
  I believe that I must be one of the most fortunate people ever to 
serve in the U.S. Congress because I have been blessed with a staff 
member and a friend like Jack--a man who is not only talented and hard 
working, but who has also demonstrated his extraordinary loyalty time 
and again through the years. I have come to rely upon his sound 
judgement, his policy recommendations, and his broad expertise on 
matters both large and small.
  For me, Jack epitomizes all that is good about the thousands of 
Americans who dedicate their lives and their considerable talents to 
public service. I will miss his daily advice, counsel, and calm 
demeanor, but I wish him, as well as his wife Beth and children Leslie 
and Michael, the very best as Jack begins his next career. I know my 
colleagues join me in thanking Jack for his years of distinguished 
service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

                          ____________________