[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 101 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       REGARDING THE RETIREMENT OF HENRY JAMES ``JIM'' SCHWEITER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 22, 2005

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, change is a constant here in the House, and 
I suppose that's a good thing. It keeps fresh ideas and energy coming 
in. But sometimes it sure is hard to say farewell to trusted friends.
  As you know, I never miss an opportunity to quote my fellow 
Missourian Harry Truman. In this case, the occasion is bittersweet.
  Harry Truman minted one of the axioms of Washington. ``It is amazing 
what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.''
  To many in Washington, Mr. Speaker, that phrase may sound quaint.'' 
After all, so much of service in Congress is about credit. We issue 
press releases every day to make sure the folks back home know we're 
working for them. Much of what we are able to do is tied to the credit 
we get for our achievements.
  Let me tell you about someone for whom that's not true.
  Jim Schweiter has lived Harry Truman's words, not only during his 
service here but throughout his career. Jim is retiring from the Armed 
Services Committee staff at the end of next month. Thanks to our 
bipartisan structure, he has the official title of counsel. But for the 
last five and a half years, he has been, in effect, the minority staff 
director. And he has been my close and trusted friend.
  Jim came to the Armed Services Committee from the Air Force in 1988. 
He brought with him a law degree and experience as a trial lawyer and 
judge advocate. But he also brought some things you can't learn.
  Jim brought sound and mature judgment, informed by the kind of strong 
moral compass that informs both what should be done and how it should 
be done. When confronted with a difficult policy question, Jim 
frequently asks ``What is in the best interest for the Republic?'' I 
believe the Republic is the better for many of the policy issues on 
which Jim has had a hand. Jim has been involved in many aspects of the 
committee's work, serving with the Personnel and Investigations 
subcommittees, and later as General Counsel and ultimately as Minority 
Staff Director. In these roles, Jim has never done just what was 
required of him. He has always sought creative and sound legislative 
solutions when he saw a way of improving a situation. Though the 
Reserve Office Personnel Management Act in which he played a key role 
and the future management and professional development of Judge 
Advocates are just two examples of the legislation he has helped enact, 
Jim has frequently been directly involved in improving the lives of our 
military men and women.

  The Armed Services Committee is near unique in the House for its 
integrated staff and the degree of its bipartisanship. In this, Jim 
could stand as the exemplar. He served as General Counsel to both 
Chairman Ron Dellums and Chairman Floyd Spence and provided exceptional 
advice to both. He embodies what we mean by professional bipartisan 
staff.
  He also exemplifies a spirit of service to this House and to the 
Nation. When I asked him to return to the Committee after his 
distinguished service in the Department of Defense as Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Jim did not hesitate. In the 
time since he has returned, he has not only provided wise counsel at 
every turn, he has demonstrated strong leadership to the rest of our 
staff. They are a true team because of that leadership.
  Beyond all his other attributes, Jim brought an unwavering patriotism 
to his position. That might have something to do with Jim's late 
father, Major General Leo Schweiter, who jumped into Normandy on D-Day 
and continued distinguished service through Korea and Vietnam. It might 
have had something to do with growing up in the shadow of the Army War 
College. But mostly, I think it's just Jim.
  While Jim is retiring, there is no doubt that he will continue to 
have an active career. To the Armed Services Committee, Jim has brought 
a fierce intellect, an encyclopedic knowledge of House procedure, and 
an outstanding rapport with both members and staff. Jim's skills could 
easily carry him through many more careers--as a parliamentarian, a law 
professor, or a professional hunter--to name just a few. I hope he gets 
a chance to try them all.
  I suspect Jim's heart may be most in the last of these pursuits. Like 
so many who grow up in central Pennsylvania, Jim is a dedicated 
outdoorsman. He hunts with his close friends and he has hunted with 
members of Congress, including our current Chairman Duncan Hunter. He 
is no more at home than walking the woods. While Jim's new home of 
Minneapolis won't give him much opportunity to watch his beloved 
Baltimore Orioles play at home, it will continue to give him many 
chances to be where he wants to be during hunting season.
  Mr. Speaker, as this good servant of the people moves on, and as this 
invaluable friend gets a little farther away, it is a time of sadness 
for me. But it is also a challenge to the House. I hope that we can 
remain the kind of House that continues to inspire and attract people 
the caliber of Jim Schweiter, people who know that the good of the 
nation and the merit of ideas come before all else. He is an example 
for us of what the House should be--and what America deserves.
  I know I speak for everyone on the Armed Services Committee in 
thanking Jim for his years of service and extending my best wishes to 
Jim and his wife Donna on the next phase of their lives together.

                          ____________________