[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN DOOLEY OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have had the opportunity to 
serve with such an outstanding Member of Congress over the past eight 
years. I would like to congratulate him on his retirement from the 
United States House of Representatives at the close of the 108th 
Congress. Serving with him in Congress has been an honor, and I hope to 
maintain our friendship in the upcoming years.
  Since coming to Congress in 1997, I have had the pleasure to work 
with Cal on numerous issues in addition to building and growing the 
influence of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC). If there is one word 
that best represents Cal, it is integrity. Upon my arrival in 
Washington, DC, I immediately turned to him as both a mentor and a 
friend. As founder and co-chair of the NDC, he was always a respected 
voice on critical issues.
  The NDC, through Cal's leadership, transformed how the Democratic 
party worked in the late 1990s. Intent on modernizing both the 
Democratic party and the country, New Democrats support policies that 
expand economic growth and see that all Americans have the opportunity 
to benefit from that growth; ensure a fiscally responsible and 
efficient government; secure the homefront; and advance a robust 
foreign policy that includes trade, constructive U.S. leadership 
throughout the world, and a modern and strong military. As a testament 
of Cal's leadership, the Clinton Administration frequently sought 
allies in the NDC. The Clinton Administration turned to the NDC for the 
critical support of the coalition's major legislation initiatives such 
as welfare reform and trade with China.
  Cal is a fourth-generation farmer and partner in his family farm, 
growing cotton, alfalfa and walnuts at his farm in California's San 
Joaquin Valley. Through his tenure in the House, Cal has concentrated 
heavily on Agriculture issues. During the last farm bill, I served on 
the Agriculture Committee and was able to see firsthand how 
knowledgeable he is when it comes to farm policy. I look forward to 
working with him again on the next farm bill in his new role as the 
President and CEO of National Food Processors Association (NFPA). The 
NFPA is extraordinarily lucky to get one of the top leaders in food 
policy today.
  Cal, in addition to his other accomplishments, is a great student of 
the big issues facing our country today. As long as I have known him, 
he has always had a willingness to dive into new subject matters and 
learn them as quickly as possible.
  I want to thank Cal for his leadership and his friendship. I wish him 
the best of luck on his new endeavors.

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