[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H1941-H1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE HONORABLE GENE SNYDER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Altmire). Under a previous order of

[[Page H1942]]

the House, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Chandler) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the memory of one 
of our former colleagues who passed away on February 16th of this year. 
He was a former Member from my home State of Kentucky, and, among other 
things, had the unusual distinction of representing two different 
congressional districts in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
  Former Congressman Gene Snyder was a man of steadfast conviction. He 
could always be counted on to fight for his constituents, and you 
always knew where he stood on the issues. Congressman Snyder had a way 
with people and a memorable sense of humor. He loved to tell stories 
and he used those stories to foster close relationships with 
Republicans and Democrats alike.
  We often talk about a different time in Congress, when Members 
discussed policy over dinner with their families, when Washington was 
more cordial, and when there was a sense of kinship among fellow 
legislators. Gene Snyder was one of those Members committed to 
fostering that kinship, which is far too rare in these halls today.
  Most Kentuckians will remember Gene Snyder by the freeway that bears 
his name. And while one road certainly doesn't sum up a man, in many 
ways, it is appropriate. While Gene Snyder was never afraid to vote 
against what he thought was a wasteful appropriations bill, few Members 
have fought harder to provide the seeds of economic growth for their 
home region.
  Before Gene Snyder got to Congress, his district faced numerous age-
old problems; transportation deficits, traffic issues and flooding from 
the Ohio River to name a few. I can remember hearing stories about 
people floating through the streets of Louisville in boats during the 
historic flood of 1937.
  These problems, and many more, were tackled by Gene Snyder. He helped 
complete the Jefferson County floodwall. He showed great leadership in 
the construction of a new terminal at Standiford Field in Louisville. 
And he helped secure funding for the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge in 
Northern Kentucky, better connecting Covington and Cincinnati and 
helping to drive economic growth in that region.
  There were countless other projects that Congressman Snyder 
developed, and all the bridges he built, the highways he paved and the 
buildings he raised have helped provide jobs to thousands of our fellow 
Kentuckians.
  These jobs, and the opportunities that resulted from his efforts, 
will be Gene Snyder's lasting contribution to the constituents who he 
took such pride in serving. It is my honor this evening to celebrate 
Gene Snyder's life and his legacy.

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