[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVES AMORY HOUGHTON AND JACK QUINN

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                         HON. SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, as the 108th Congress comes to a close, I 
would like to honor two of New York's greatest legislators--Rep. Amory 
Houghton (NY-29) and Rep. Jack Quinn (NY-27), for their outstanding 
careers in Congress. Unfortunately, Mr. Quinn and Mr. Houghton have 
decided to retire at the end of the 108th Congress. As Dean of the New 
York Republican Congressional Delegation, I would like to express my 
gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and commitment to their 
constituencies.
  Mr. Houghton, a nine-term Member of Congress and founder of the 
influential Republican Main Street Partnership, has a legacy of 
supporting moderate social programs, while encouraging fiscal 
responsibility and much needed tax relief for hard-working Americans. 
Houghton is also the founder of the John Quincy Adams Society, an 
issues forum that brings together moderate officeholders with top 
business leaders, which has been instrumental in strengthening the 
moderate movement.
  I have had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Mr. Houghton 
for the past 18 years, and his vision for a less partisan and more 
effective Congress is truly inspiring. Mr. Houghton worked diligently 
on more equitable tax and health politics, in his role on the Ways and 
Means Committee. His counsel and fair-minded manner were always so 
valuable to myself, and all Members of Congress.
  As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee, I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Mr. 
Quinn. Mr. Quinn, a six-term Member of Congress and Chairman of the 
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on 
Railroads, has worked tirelessly on a variety of transportation issues, 
the largest of these being Amtrak and its preservation as part of our 
Nation's infrastructure.
  Mr. Quinn also served as co-chair of the House Labor Working Group, 
advocating on behalf of organized labor with the Republican Leadership. 
Possibly the most important task to Mr. Quinn was ensuring a fair wage 
for all workers, as a leader and supporter of sensible labor policy. As 
a fellow New Yorker, I see the invaluable contribution of organized 
labor's representation of working men and women, and commend Mr. Quinn 
for his unwavering leadership on this issue.
  As Members of Congress, we are judged on our records, and I can say 
with great enthusiasm that Mr. Houghton and Mr. Quinn are men of 
honesty and integrity. Their work ethic and inspiring ideas, as well as 
their leadership, will be sorely missed. I am proud to not only call 
them colleagues, but also friends.

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