[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2119]]
RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE BUD CRAMER AND THE HONORABLE TERRY EVERETT ON 
                     THEIR RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend and 
colleague Congressman Bud Cramer, who is retiring from Congress after 
spending the past 18 years representing the Fifth District of Alabama.
  I have had the immense privilege of serving with Bud on the 
Appropriations Select Intelligence Oversight Panel and on the 
Intelligence Committee, where he acts as the Chairman of the Oversight 
and Investigations Subcommittee. Bud has demonstrated true leadership 
in his role as Chairman and has created a legacy that will outlast us 
all. He has pursued all oversight matters vigorously, always in a 
bipartisan fashion and always in the interest of national security. His 
input has been thoughtful, even-handed, and precise. And I can say that 
I have always appreciated his well-timed sense of humor, which often 
lightens the load when we all start to take ourselves too seriously. In 
short, Bud has set an amazingly high standard on the Committee, and I 
will miss him greatly.
  Bud never does anything half-heartedly, and I would like to tell the 
people in North Alabama that it's going to be difficult to replace him. 
A true son of Alabama, Bud has been a relentless champion of the 
Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. He guided a 
community through the base realignment and closure process twice and 
has been a vocal advocate for North Alabama's growing defense and 
aerospace industries. In fact, Bud's leadership and efforts are 
responsible for bringing jobs and further economic development to his 
district.
  Finally, I would do Bud a great disservice if I failed to mention his 
big heart and his work on behalf of abused and neglected children. 
During his tenure as the Madison County District Attorney, he 
endeavored to create a cooperative relationship between the social 
service and criminal justice systems and an effective, secure 
environment for children who were suffering. Bud's initiative has 
developed into Huntsville's National Children's Advocacy Center, a 
nationally-renowned child advocacy group that trains communities to 
successfully and compassionately integrate the services essential to 
child abuse victims.
  I wish Bud all the best as he moves from one remarkable phase of his 
life to another. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve 
with such a committed, passionate, and just man. His presence and 
leadership will be greatly missed by the House and on the Committee.
  Thank you for your service, Bud.

                          ____________________