[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING ARTHUR ``PETE'' SINGLETON

  (Mr. McCRERY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the 
passing of Arthur ``Pete'' Singleton, former chief of staff of the Ways 
and Means Committee, who died this past Saturday. Pete was a great guy 
who served this country in a variety of ways, beginning with his Marine 
service and ending as the staff director of the majority Ways and Means 
Committee for Chairman Bill Archer.
  Pete retired for the second time in 2000. Upon his retirement, 
Chairman Archer summarized Pete's contributions. He said, ``It was he 
who, in 1977, drafted the minority Social Security proposals, most of 
which later became law. Most recently, he oversaw the committee's 
intensive efforts during action on the historic 1997 Balanced Budget 
Act and Taxpayer Relief Act, as well as legislation to repeal the 
Social Security earnings limit.''
  Chairman Archer went on to describe the quality of Pete's service to 
the committee and to our country: ``Pete Singleton is one of the most 
loyal people I have ever known. His first thought has always been: How 
does this impact the committee? He is one of the hardest working staff 
persons I have known and has sacrificed much of his personal life for 
the committee. He possesses a sharp wit and a quick mind. He is a true 
gentleman in every sense and a wonderful human being.''
  It was my privilege to serve on the committee when Pete served as 
chief of staff. I came to rely on Pete as a steady and trusted leader 
and often utilized his counsel based on his vast expertise and 
experience.
  On behalf of the current and former members of our committee, we 
commemorate Pete's outstanding contributions to the committee that he 
so loved and to our Nation. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his 
devoted wife, Libby, and all Pete's family, friends and colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the passing of 
Arthur ``Pete'' Singleton, former Chief of Staff of the Committee on 
Ways and Means, who died this past Saturday.
  Pete began his service to his country as a Marine in World War II. He 
joined the Republican Committee staff in 1970 as Deputy Staff Director, 
following two successful careers, one in journalism as a reporter and 
editor and one for the former U.S. Steel Company.
  Pete soon became expert in the complex issue areas of Social Security 
and international trade. In 1981, Pete was appointed as Republican 
Staff Director. He served in that position until 1988, when he retired 
for the first time.
  After spending time writing, along with serving on the Social 
Security Advisory Board, 8 years later Chairman Bill Archer of Texas 
asked Pete to return to the Committee on Ways and Means to serve as 
Majority Chief of Staff, a position which he held until his second 
retirement in October of 2000.
  Upon his retirement, Chairman Archer summarized Pete's contributions 
as follows:
  ``It was he, who in 1977, drafted the Minority Social Security 
proposals, most of which later became law. Most recently, he oversaw 
the Committee's intensive efforts during action on the historic 1997 
Balanced Budget Act and Taxpayer Relief Act, as well as legislation to 
repeal the Social Security earnings limit.''
  Even more poignant, however, was what Chairman Archer said about the 
quality of Pete's service to the Committee and our country.
  ``Pete Singleton is one of the most loyal people I have ever known. 
His first thought has always been ``How does this impact the 
Committee?'' He is one of the hardest working staff persons I have 
known, and has sacrificed much of his personal life for the Committee. 
He possesses a sharp wit and a quick mind. He is a true gentleman in 
every sense, and a wonderful human being.''
  It was my privilege to serve on the Committee when Pete served as 
Chief of Staff. I came to rely on Pete as a steady and trusted leader, 
and often utilized his counsel based on his vast expertise and 
experience.
  On behalf of the current and former members of our committee, we 
commemorate Pete's outstanding contributions to the Committee that he 
so loved, and to our Nation. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his 
devoted wife Libby, and all Pete's family, friends, and colleagues.

                          ____________________