[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO RETIRING MEMBERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute today to three men 
with whom I have had the privilege of serving in the House and all of 
whom unfortunately are ending their service in Congress this year.
  Terry Everett, Ron Lewis, and Jim Walsh, listed in alphabetical 
order, have all become very close friends of mine. They are 
unquestionably three of the finest men I have ever known, and this 
Nation is a better place because of their work in the U.S House of 
Representatives.
  Terry has been a leader on three very important committees: Armed 
Services, Intelligence, and Agriculture. Not only have we enjoyed many 
meals together, but he has been kind to me even when I voted against 
some of the bills about which he cared the most.
  Ron became very influential on the powerful House Ways and Means 
Committee and also enjoyed his service on the Oversight and Government 
Reform Committee.
  We not only enjoyed meals together, but also often sat on the floor 
and discussed many, many votes. Ron is one of the kindest men I have 
ever met and has a humility that is rare in high-level Washington 
political circles.
  Jim became one of the senior and most respected members of the House 
Appropriations Committee. In that position, he not only did amazing 
things for his own district, but he helped people all over the Nation 
including me several times. Jim was a really effective member, but much 
more importantly, a really good man.
  I have humorous stories about each of these men (but certainly 
nothing scandalous), and I will save those for other times. I realize 
it is popular to bash down on politicians. But these three men 
exemplify all that is good about this country.
  I am sad that they are leaving the House, but I am sure that each of 
them will have many years and much great service ahead in whatever they 
end up doing.

                          ____________________