[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2229-E2230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JULIA CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Ms. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to a great 
American, a colleague and most importantly, a friend. Lane Evans has 
served this body with his full heart and soul for the past 24 years and 
for his service and friendship I thank him so much.
  Lane is an amazing man in every sense of the word. His tireless work 
as Ranking Member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee has set the bar 
for which future Chairmen should strive to achieve. As a young Marine 
serving in Vietnam, he saw firsthand the rigors of war and it helped 
him to realize that our soldiers must be treated for all the symptoms 
of war and that some of the worst battle scars are visible but below 
the surface. His fight to get fair treatment for those suffering from 
Agent

[[Page E2230]]

Orange in Vietnam ensured he would be one of the first to recognize and 
push for treatment of Gulf War Syndrome and post-traumatic stress 
disorder.
  Physical and mental health were not the only fights that he entered 
into on behalf of Veterans. He also led the battle to get equitable 
treatment for female veterans and worked tirelessly to combat the 
plight of homeless veterans across America. His work to ensure a high 
quality of life for those who have served us with honor will be one of 
his most noted legacies in this body.
  Lane, I thank you for your friendship, your leadership and all of 
your service to our Nation. I know you have forever left your mark on 
your Nation, the House of Representatives, and all the veterans who 
have received better treatment because of your work.
  Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to enclose with my statement the 
remarks of my predecessor and friend who also served this body with his 
full heart and soul, the Honorable Andy Jacobs, former Congressman for 
the 10th Congressional District of Indiana.
                                                 December 8, 2006.
     Hon. Lane Evans, MC,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Lane: The time has come for me to put on paper what I 
     have fervently entertained in my mind through the years of 
     our acquaintance.
       To begin, you are one of my authentic heroes. British Lord 
     Chesterton said, ``Sometimes it takes less courage to die for 
     one's country than to tell her the truth.'' On many more than 
     one occasion you have displayed that greater courage in the 
     profoundly patriotic performance of your chores as a member 
     of Congress, service quite literally ``above and beyond the 
     call of duty.''
       In your effective opposition to the mindless, gratuitous 
     and vicarious militarism of some national leaders, you have 
     helped save the lives of hapless public spirited young 
     Americans. Thus, you have done God's work most nobly.
       For the young Americans who have been forced into 
     unnecessary permanent combat disability, you have been a 
     major national factor in achieving justice in terms of 
     veterans' benefits.
       You have also given our Nation bright lessons of prudence 
     with the public purse. Thank you for being my friend and 
     friend to all peace-loving freedom-loving Americans.
           Sincerely,
     Andy Jacobs, Jr.

                          ____________________