[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2328-E2329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WES WATKINS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH LAB AND POST OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2009

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to honor my

[[Page E2329]]

friend and former colleague, Wesley ``Wes'' Watkins. H.R. 1713 would 
name the United States Department of Agriculture's South Central 
Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma, and the facility of the U.S. 
Postal Service in Bennington, Oklahoma, in honor of the former 
Congressman Wes Watkins, who represented Oklahoma for 20 years.
  Throughout Congressman Watkins's career, he devoted his life to the 
people of Oklahoma. He began his career of public service in 1974 when 
he was elected to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate. After U.S. House 
Speaker Carl Albert announced his retirement after 30 years in office, 
Congressman Watkins was elected to Congress in 1976. During his time in 
office, Wes would become the only Oklahoma Congressman to serve on all 
three major House financial committees, including Appropriations, 
Budget, and Ways and Means, where he used his influence to increase 
funding for rural economic development and education programs in the 
Third District of Oklahoma.
  Wes is a man of principal. I am honored to know him and to have 
worked with him in Congress. He served the great state of Oklahoma and 
America proudly. I ask that you all join me in supporting H.R. 1713 
which recognizes and honors a great public servant to Oklahoma and our 
Nation.

                          ____________________