[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H2798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE HON. JACK METCALF

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight, along with 
my colleagues from Washington State, to pay homage to our friend and 
colleague who passed away last Thursday, Jack Metcalf.
  Jack Metcalf represented the Second District of Washington from 1995 
to 2001, and I have known Jack personally since 1968. I first met Jack 
when he first ran for the U.S. Senate. I was contacted by some people, 
and they said that he was coming into town and asked if I would meet 
with him, which I did, he ended up spending the night at my house and 
slept on the couch.
  I only say that from background because that was typical of Jack. He 
was totally unpretentious. In fact, his history, electoral history, as 
a representative of northwest Washington goes back for many years. He 
first ran for office in 1958, unsuccessfully, I might add. Two years 
later he ran and was elected to the State legislature and served there 
for two terms and left. Then he got elected as State senator and served 
for 8 more years as a State senator, and left to run for the U.S. 
Senate again, and got beat and then came back and served as a State 
senator for 12 more years. He left that time to run again 
unsuccessfully for the U.S. House. But he was successful when he ran in 
1994.
  I point that out because that was four times that he ran for office 
in an endeavor to serve his constituents of northwest Washington. And 
it never bothered him, at least he never said it to me, that he was 
unsuccessful in the past. In fact, after he had lost in 1992 and was 
contemplating running in 1994, he was approached by the then Republican 
Central Committee chairman and suggested that maybe Jack ought not run 
because he was 68. And Jack replied to him, ``Well, I think I can 
win.'' And I can just hear Jack say that because that was so typical of 
him. He was totally unpretentious.
  So I am here simply to say that he was a friend for many, many years. 
He was somebody that served his constituents well, and he was somebody, 
I think, that was really very, very true to his beliefs. And I think 
that is an asset that a lot of people probably don't have, but 
certainly Jack did. And I am very, very proud to have called him a 
friend for all these years.
  And I can say that our thoughts and prayers are with Norma and his 
family, and he will be greatly missed.
  With that I would like to yield to the individual that succeeded him 
in the Second District, my friend from Washington (Mr. Larsen).
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
eastern Washington for yielding.
  I rise today to pay tribute to the Honorable Jack Metcalf, who was my 
predecessor in Washington State's Second Congressional District.
  Before Jack was a Congressman, and we have heard about his running 
for office, but he was a teacher for 30 years. Public service was more 
than a profession for Jack. It was very much a passion. He placed a 
premium on honesty and hard work, and he was admired for being a person 
of his word. He built relationships not only with traditional allies, 
but with anyone concerned with improving the quality of life for his 
constituents.
  Jack forged a bipartisan alliance with Senator Patty Murray to 
protect our marine habitat in Washington State. The work done by the 
Murray-Metcalf Commission continues today to benefit the people of 
Washington State. Jack's dedication to protecting our marine resources 
stands as a challenge to his successors and as a legacy to our State.
  I personally had the pleasure of working with Jack on flood issues 
when I was a local elected official. Flooding had created terrible 
problems for Snohomish County, and Jack brought people together and 
harnessed Federal, State, and local resources to find solutions.
  We will miss ``Gentleman Jack'' Metcalf. He had no need for 
partnership or grandstanding, and he stood out for his commitment to 
the people that he represented. And certainly tonight our hearts go out 
to Jack's wife Norma and to their children.

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