[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16092-S16093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DELBERT LATTA

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, this afternoon I pay tribute to a dear 
friend and beloved Ohioan, a man who has been a great public servant 
for the last half century, a man who I served with in the House of 
Representatives for a number of years. I am talking about 
Representative Delbert Latta. Representative Delbert Latta devoted 30 
years of distinguished service to Ohio's 5th Congressional District in 
the House of Representatives. In his honor, earlier this year, 
President George Bush signed into law a bill that renamed the Bowling 
Green Ohio Post Office the Delbert L. Latta Post Office Building. This 
is a well-deserved tribute to a man who inspires all around him to 
strive to be a better public servant.
  This afternoon I will take a few minutes to explain to my colleagues 
why Del is so revered by the citizens of the 5th District and all the 
citizens of Ohio. Del was raised in McComb, OH. He graduated from 
McComb High School and later worked in a shoestore and put himself 
through Ohio Northern University from where he received his 
undergraduate and then his law degree.
  Del practiced law in Bowling Green for several years before he 
successfully ran for an Ohio State Senate seat. After serving three 
terms in the Ohio State Senate, Del Latta decided to serve his 
community at the Federal level and was elected to the House of 
Representatives in 1958.
  Before retiring from the House of Representatives in 1989, 
constituents of Ohio's 5th District showed Del their appreciation by 
electing him and reelecting him 15 times. He was the dean of the Ohio 
Republican delegation and as dean of the delegation was deeply 
respected for the leadership role he played for fellow Ohio 
Representatives as well as for the party. He was the person to whom, 
frankly, we all went.
  I remember when I was first elected in 1982. I remember driving north 
to Bowling Green and going to see Del in his office and talking to him 
about committee assignments. I told him I wanted to be on the Judiciary 
Committee if that were possible. I remember Del sitting behind his desk 
talking to me about that and telling me he would see what he could do 
about it. It was not too long after that I was on the Judiciary 
Committee in the House of Representatives. Del was the person you went 
to. Del was the person you went to for advice, for counsel, and to get 
things done.
  Del served as leader of the Rules Committee. Del was the ranking 
Republican in all the House on the Budget Committee. Del was not only 
recognized as a key leader of the Republican Party, he was a consensus 
builder who also earned the respect of Members on both sides of the 
aisle. The Honorable Democrat Senator and Representative Claude Pepper, 
of Florida, had this to say about Del:

       Del's conduct as a Member of the [Rules] Committee and a 
     Member of the House has exemplified the best and noblest 
     traditions of this House. His integrity has been exemplary. 
     His kindliness, gentleness and graciousness of manner have 
     endeared him to all of his colleagues. I shall always honor 
     the service Del Latta has rendered to the Rules Committee, to 
     the Budget Committee and the House because what he did, he 
     did as an able, honorable patriotic American.

  Del Latta had a significant impact on so many pieces of legislation 
and events over his 30-year tenure in the House. One notable example is 
the leadership he demonstrated during Watergate, but perhaps he is best 
well-known as a champion of balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility. 
In 1981, Del spearheaded President Reagan's economic recovery program 
in the House by sponsoring and helping to pass the Gramm-Latta bill. 
This bill is often cited as the single most influential measure in 
stimulating America's economic recovery in the 1980s. Del Latta was 
there. Del Latta led. It was Del Latta who got it done.

  Expressing his admiration for Del's humility and work ethic, the 
Honorable Chip Pashayan, Jr., of California, said this about a dinner 
experience he had with Del after the passage of this momentous bill 
that bears Del Latta's name.

       No gloating, no bragging, no brandishing. To [Del] Gramm-
     Latta was just another bill, just another day's work for the 
     American people. . . . As usual, we finished dinner by 8:30 
     or 9 p.m. because Del had to get back to his office to do 
     some constituent work. No constituency ever had a harder 
     working Member that I ever saw.

  I could not agree more. In 1982, when I first came to the House of 
Representatives, as I said, Del was instrumental in teaching me the 
ropes. What I admired most about Del was his ability to work with an 
unwavering commitment and passion for his constituents. He never forgot 
who sent him to Washington. He never forgot who he worked for. In 
everything he did, you could see how much he cared for the people he 
represented, the people of northwest Ohio. He understood how much he 
cared about our great country.
  People have always come first for Del Latta. It is what drives him. 
He has said his greatest satisfaction comes from helping people find 
solutions to their problems, whether it is big problems or small 
problems, helping people find solutions to their problems, especially 
problems they could not solve on their own.
  At his retirement Del said this:

       Being a representative [of Ohio's 5th district] has given 
     me and members of my family the opportunity to make untold 
     thousands of wonderful friendships which we shall always 
     treasure. I will also cherish the many friendships I have 
     made over the years with my congressional colleagues.

And to be sure, Del Latta has not finished giving of himself, certainly 
not. To this day, he continues to do everything he can for his 
community. From local businessmen to neighborhood schoolchildren, Del 
Latta is there for them.
  The dedication of the Bowling Green Post Office in Del's name--a post 
office that Del once helped secure funds to build--is simply a reminder 
that although it has been 15 years since he has retired from the 
Congress, Del has continued to work tirelessly for his community. The 
renaming of this post office, in many ways, is a symbol--a great 
symbol--of the civic spirit Del stood for as a U.S. Representative and 
still stands for today.
  So I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Del for this great honor. 
He has done so much for the Fifth District, for the State of Ohio, and 
for our Nation. I have the highest regard for the example Del has set 
as a leader and public servant. My wife Fran and I cherish his 
friendship, and we wish him and his wife Rosemary and their children 
Bob and Rose Ellen and their families all the best in their future.
  Del Latta is a great man. I said that he has worked tirelessly for 
his constituents, and it is always fun to watch him do that. But there 
has been one thing for me that has been even more fun, and that is to 
watch Del Latta with his grandchildren and to hear Del Latta talk about 
his grandchildren because this is a man who is also a great family man; 
he has never lost sight of the importance of family.
  So, Del Latta, congratulations. You are a man who has served our 
country well. You are a great family man. You are a good friend. We 
appreciate all you have done for our country.
  Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Dole). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sununu). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for up to 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FITZGERALD. I thank the Chair.

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