[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H528-H529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING THE HONORABLE BEN CHANDLER TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  (Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, in the same bipartisan spirit of 
cooperation that has characterized Kentucky delegations to this great 
body, it is my privilege tonight, as dean of our delegation, to present 
to you our newest Member and America's newest Congressman, Ben 
Chandler.
  Ben won the special election a week ago tonight to fill the unexpired 
term of our colleague and now Governor, Ernie Fletcher.
  The Chandler name in Kentucky is legendary. Ben's grandfather, the 
late Albert ``Happy'' Chandler, was a twice-elected Governor; U.S. 
Senator; and baseball commissioner, who, by the way, presided over the 
integration of Major League Baseball.
  But young Ben has earned his own stripes. He has just completed two 
terms as Kentucky attorney general, and before that the elected State 
auditor, and was nominated by his party for Governor last year.

[[Page H529]]

  Ben Chandler follows in the seat held by a long list of national 
leaders, including our own Governor Ernie Fletcher. One of the greatest 
Speakers of this body held this seat, Henry Clay, twice Speaker, three-
time candidate for President, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, the 
Great Compromiser of pre-Civil War years; Kentucky's greatest national 
legislator, that is until recently, of course. In fact, Henry Clay made 
history very early in his congressional career. He was elected Speaker 
immediately upon being sworn in as a freshman from this very Kentucky 
district.
  Mr. Speaker, I like Ben Chandler, but maybe you and I had better keep 
an eye on him.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lucas), our 
colleague from Kentucky's Fourth District.
  Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Rogers). It is indeed a pleasure for me to welcome my 
colleague Ben Chandler here this evening.
  Ben, it has been kind of lonely up here from Kentucky for us 
Democrats, and now we have doubled the amount of Democrats from 
Kentucky, and that is really great.
  In Kentucky we are known for thoroughbred racing, and of course Ben 
comes from the heart of the thoroughbred country. And the success of 
thoroughbreds are based on bloodlines. If one has great bloodlines, 
they are successful in racing. And Ben comes here with great 
bloodlines.
  And I am sure you are really going to be successful, and I am happy 
to share this moment with you and all your friends and your family, 
Jennifer and your three kids. It is great for you to be here, Ben. 
Thank you.
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply honored to welcome 
Kentucky's new Member of Congress from the Sixth District, Ben 
Chandler, and I am proud to present him at this time to the body.

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