[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 158 (Wednesday, October 28, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12034-H12041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING SECRETARY JOHN McHUGH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Pingree of Maine). Under the Speaker's 
announced policy of January 6, 2009, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
King) is recognized for 60 minutes.
  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise on the House 
floor tonight to manage a Special Order on behalf of our former 
colleague and the present Secretary of the Army, former Congressman 
John McHugh, now Secretary John McHugh.
  Madam Speaker, before I begin my formal remarks, I would like to 
yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) who does have to 
leave, and I would recognize him for 2 minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from New York for 
giving me this time and allowing me to go promptly.
  Everybody loves John McHugh, an honorable man. We have a great 
history in this country that a lot of people take for granted which is 
civilian control of the military. That is honorably being served by 
Secretary Gates as Secretary of Defense, and we are honored to have our 
colleague and friend, John McHugh, accept and hold the position of 
Secretary of the Army.
  John is no stranger to being involved in military affairs, especially 
the Army, serving as I know people will talk about in Upstate New York 
and the Fort Drum area, the 10th Mountain Division, where some of our 
best military fighters are stationed, in a tough environment, and have 
been deployed, like many U.S. Army forces around the world, in 
difficult environments.
  John has always been concerned not just about their training and 
morale and welfare, but the post issues, housing issues, morale and 
welfare. You name it, John McHugh was a leader in that area.

                              {time}  1730

  So it was a great pleasure, and many of us were thankful that 
President Obama looked down to the ranks of the Republican minority to 
find a highly qualified individual who would ascend to the position of 
the senior civilian leader of our Army.
  John also served many years on the West Point Board of Visitors, a 
position now that I get to take and assume his spot on that board, but 
I know a position that he loved, at West Point where we are training 
our young men and women of the future to be future leaders of the Army. 
He took that job very, very seriously.
  I thank my colleague and friend from New York, Peter King, for 
allowing me this time to come down and congratulate John, to put some 
words into the Record, to say we miss him here, and that we know he 
will serve our country well in the position that he is so well trained 
and prepared for.
  And with that, I thank my colleague.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman from Illinois.
  Madam Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Burton).
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I thank the gentleman for taking this time 
tonight for our colleague, Mr. McHugh.
  John is not only a nice guy, he really is a hard worker. I think he 
has earned

[[Page H12035]]

his place in the administration with the Secretary of the Army 
position.
  When I was chairman of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee, 
he was a subcommittee chairman that dealt with the postal service. He 
did an outstanding job. It was a very thorny issue, solving a lot of 
the problems that we had with the private sector and the postal 
service, and it was John who got the job done. It took several years, 
but I've never seen anybody work harder than he did.
  I would just like to say as I depart tonight that we miss you, John. 
You were a heck of a Congressman, and I know you're going to do a great 
job as Secretary of the Army.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman from Indiana.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York, who actually 
served in the State legislature with John McHugh back when John was a 
senator and the gentleman was an assemblyman, Mr. Tonko from Upstate 
New York.
  Mr. TONKO. Thank you, Representative King.
  The opportunity to share some thoughts about Representative McHugh 
here this evening is something I relish.
  Our work partnership goes back several, several years, starting back 
in 1984 when Representative McHugh--then as State senator McHugh--was 
elected to serve for four terms. He obviously understands the needs of 
the North Country. He was returned to office several times over, not 
only in that role as State senator, but then to go on here to the House 
of Representatives and serve with distinction many terms over.
  The importance of interacting with people in a bipartisan fashion was 
something that was always easily done with John McHugh. He understood 
that we in government have the opportunity to empower our communities, 
various organizations, and individuals. Certainly, in his role in the 
North Country, he represented several higher ed institutions, like the 
SUNY center at Plattsburgh, the SUNY campus at Potsdam, St. Lawrence 
University, the Ag and Tech Campus in the North Country in Canton, and 
then the campus of Clarkson University, my alma mater. So we always had 
opportunities to work on great things for these campuses, and in 
particular, to focus on some of the science and tech activities over at 
Clarkson University.
  Here in the House, John McHugh had served for over 16 years as a 
Member of Congress representing that northern and central portion of 
what is deemed Upstate New York. During his service, he forged these 
very strong ties with Fort Drum, and it's there that I think he created 
this strong record of staunch advocacy on behalf of veterans and on 
behalf of soldiers and their families, working tirelessly to ensure 
that they had the necessary resources for proper facilities for 
training and for quality of life to carry on with their mission, and 
then to also make certain that he provided for those loved ones who 
remained at home.
  As a Member of this august body, John McHugh served as the ranking 
member of the House Armed Services Committee, which has been mentioned 
here this evening. I think it is there where he earned the opportunity 
to now be appointed as Secretary of the Army, by having worked with the 
Department of Defense and each of the Armed Forces. Certainly, his love 
for the North Country is very much defined by the work that he has 
done.
  In closing, I would like to just cite two of the accomplishments that 
I thought spoke near and dear to my heart because of my work on science 
and tech as a committee and my work as the former Energy Committee 
Chair in the New York State Assembly. And being over at NYSERDA, being 
president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development 
Authority, I was happy to include John McHugh as one of those eight 
from the minority ranks in this House who voted for H.R. 2454, the ACES 
Act, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
  As we know, H.R. 2454 still looms out there as a measure to be 
completed by action that's required in the United States Senate, but 
there is no denying that if we can go forward with this legislation, it 
will help create millions of clean-energy jobs and save billions of 
dollars for consumers with utility bills that are ever on the rise.
  This new economy and the new jobs generated by H.R. 2454 can spark 
that innovation economy, which would be key and premiere to New York 
State's economy and this Nation's economy. I have to applaud 
Representative McHugh for his work in that regard.
  Secondly, as a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, and after serving as Chair for some 6 years, I 
believe, of the Subcommittee on the Postal Service, John had done 
tremendous work on H.R. 22. I had the pleasure to help cast a vote in 
favor of the United States Postal Service Financial Relief Act of 2009. 
H.R. 22 will provide that sort of stability for our Postal Service 
system. And this House, with some 388 votes, voted in favor of the 
legislation that Representative McHugh had worked on so diligently.
  In final comment, I just want to wish Representative John McHugh--
former New York State Senator John McHugh--the very best as he assumes 
his new duties. I have no doubt that he will serve the President's 
administration with distinction, and that he will provide a great 
service in a new capacity to this great country and to the military.
  As we go forward, I know the partnerships with John McHugh will 
continue as we work in this House to make certain that those needs, 
those essentials are there as he continues in this new capacity.
  So John, we wish you well and Godspeed as you serve this Nation now 
in yet another capacity.
  I yield back to Representative King.
  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York for his very gracious remarks.
  In your remarks, you demonstrated the same bipartisan spirit that 
personified John McHugh's career here in the House of Representatives, 
and I thank the gentleman for his remarks.

  Now I recognize the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I thank my good friend for the 
opportunity to join you tonight to recognize Congressman John McHugh.
  Unlike my colleague from New York, I didn't know Congressman McHugh 
when he served in the State legislature, nor previously prior to 
January, at my arrival here in Congress.
  I got a chance to know Congressman McHugh since January--and his 
leadership record. And I stand today not just as a Member of Congress 
to mark all of his contributions, but, frankly, as a father of a United 
States soldier in the U.S. Army. I am so appreciative of what 
Congressman McHugh's service has been as now he has been sworn in as 
the 21st Secretary of the Army, that swearing-in occurring on September 
21.
  Today, in his new role, being responsible for the Army's annual 
budget, more than $200 billion, what a tremendous responsibility that 
is, a workforce of more than 1.1 million active duty Army, National 
Guard, and Reserve, that includes 221,000 Army civilian employees and 
213,000 contracted service personnel.
  Additionally, in his new role, Secretary McHugh will be a steward for 
more than 14 million acres of land under the jurisdiction of the U.S. 
Army.
  He served more than 16 years as a Member of Congress representing 
northern and central New York. Over those last 8 years, McHugh had made 
10 official visits to Iraq and four visits to Afghanistan and other 
deployed locations to visit U.S. forces. And quoting at his 
confirmation hearing about wounded warriors, ``I've been so struck how 
these heroes, facing pain and loss and uncertainty, ask one question, 
`What else can I do to serve?' ''
  He served as the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee 
and previously was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's 
Military Personnel Subcommittee. As chairman of the Military Personnel 
Subcommittee, Congressman McHugh exercised leadership on overseeing our 
military forces, personnel policies, compensation, health care, morale, 
welfare, recreational activities, dependent schools, and other 
benefits. He advocated for the military's people and programs.
  When Congress passed the fiscal year 2006 National Defense 
Authorization

[[Page H12036]]

Act, H.R. 1815, Congressman McHugh had a role in developing a bill that 
does so much for the members of our Armed Forces. The measure provided 
the basis for our Nation's defense policies and programs. This 
legislation relieved the tremendous pressures placed upon our military 
services, active Guard and Reserve alike.
  The military personnel provisions aim to improve quality of life for 
active duty and Reserve troops through pay and bonus increases, 
improvements in living and working conditions, and enhancements in 
health care coverage. This legislation reflects Congressman McHugh's 
commitment and dedication to serving not just his constituents in New 
York, but the men and women serving as our heroes in the Armed Forces.
  During his nine terms in the United States House of Representatives, 
Representative McHugh has been a champion of fiscal responsibility and 
lower taxes, protecting Social Security and Medicare, providing 
stronger and better schools, and protecting America's farmers. We wish 
him well in his newfound role as the 21st Secretary of the Army.
  I thank my good friend for yielding.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his 
remarks.
  Madam Speaker, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania referenced, 
Congressman McHugh did go on a number of congressional delegations to 
Iraq. I was privileged to go on one that he led in 2004. But just to 
show that Congressman McHugh is not perfect, he did have one person on 
the trip who really didn't fit in at all, but Congressman McHugh, being 
the wonderful person that he is, brought him along with a sense of 
charity and compassion.
  With that, I recognize the gentleman from Michigan, the chairman of 
the Republican Policy Committee, Mr. McCotter.
  Mr. McCOTTER. I thank the distinguished gentleman from New York. In 
fact, all truth be told, one of the reasons that I'm here is a 
conversation we once had. The gentleman, Mr. King, said to me, If John 
McHugh and I left Congress tomorrow, you probably wouldn't have a 
single good thing to say about either one of us. And I said, No, I 
would have a lot of good things to say about John McHugh, and I do.
  When you first come to Congress, it's a very daunting experience, and 
as you go on you find out that you are rightly daunted. This is a town 
where everything is a crisis, everything has to be done in a hurry. And 
yet there was always one person you could rely on to exemplify 
Hemingway's definition of grace under fire, which is, ``keeping your 
head when all those around you are losing theirs.''
  John McHugh is the type of person who always could keep his composure 
and was always open to give you counsel, especially as a young Member 
of Congress, as to what was going on, why it wasn't always the end of 
the world, and the way that you could work in a principled, bipartisan 
fashion to get the job done.
  It was sad to see John go, we all know that. But we have all been 
enriched by our ability to work with him. Our country is certainly 
going to be well served by him as Secretary of the Army.
  As he left, I was reminded of something my father said--I can't say 
it's an Irish saying; my father was Irish, and he said it, but I don't 
know that anybody else ever did--he said, Son, as an Irish Catholic, 
there are three things you usually wind up: You can wind up a priest, 
you can wind up a teacher, or you can wind up a soldier, but under no, 
no circumstances should you ever wind up a politician. It is nice to 
see that at this late stage of his life, John McHugh has improved 
himself and gone on to leave this Congress and serve with the men and 
women who defend us.
  In closing, I would just like to say, Johnny, we did know ye. We will 
daily miss you, and we dearly love you. Godspeed in your new role 
serving our country.
  Thank you.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his 
remarks.
  Now I will yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), who 
served in the New York State legislature with John McHugh when John was 
a senator and Mr. Hinchey was in the New York State Assembly. And I 
believe that Mr. Hinchey and Mr. McHugh came to Congress in the same 
year, in 1992. It was quite a year, Mo.
  With that, I yield to the gentleman from New York.

                              {time}  1745

  Mr. HINCHEY. Well, thank you very much for yielding to me.
  I also want to express my deep gratitude to you for doing this event 
because John McHugh is a very good friend of all of us, and we very 
much appreciate the opportunity to be here and to say a few things on 
his behalf and on behalf of ourselves, for the opportunity that we have 
had to work with him and the benefits that have flown to all of us as a 
result of his experience, his insight, and his wisdom.
  I can say that as someone who has worked very closely with him for a 
long, long time, as just was said a moment ago by our leader here 
today, he and I were elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, 
and we have been serving here now for about the last 16 years. In the 
context of those 16 years, he and I have become even closer together in 
spite of the fact that we were close enough to begin with because we 
had both served in the New York State Legislature for a good period of 
time.
  John McHugh was in the New York State Senate from 1985 until he was 
elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, so he had a great deal 
of good, solid experience when he came here. He was nominated to be 
Secretary of the Army in June of this year, and he was sworn in as the 
21st Army Secretary of the United States on September 23, 2009. When he 
was sworn in, we were very happy about that and deeply respected it 
because we understood that he was going to be a very good leader of the 
military, and we say that because of the fact that he has been directly 
involved in military operations in many ways for a long time.
  John McHugh brought with him a great deal of the experience that he 
had with regard to that Army. First of all, his district included Fort 
Drum, which is the home of the Army's 10th Mountain Division. He worked 
very hard for those military forces, representing that 10th Mountain 
Division, and he stayed in very close touch with them. Of course, as a 
result of that, he learned more and more about the military operation, 
how significant it was and what kind of assistance that he could bring 
to them. So he has been known for some time as an authority on the 
military here in the Congress. Included in that, of course, is the fact 
that he served on the Armed Services Committee here in the House of 
Representatives for many years. When he was nominated and then sworn 
in, just as he was sworn in to be the new Secretary, he had served as 
the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.
  As I say, he and I have worked together on a number of issues and in 
a number of areas over the course of many years, including the fact 
that we both served on the West Point Board of Visitors. His service on 
the West Point Board of Visitors is just another example of his 
dedication to the military and the way in which he did everything that 
he could to serve the American military in the best way possible.
  So I am very pleased to be able to extend to him my deep 
congratulations as being the Secretary of the Army and also to express 
to him my deep appreciation for all the things that he has done over 
the course of his dedication to public policy, whether it was in the 
State legislature in New York, here in the House of Representatives, or 
now as the leader of the American military in the Army.
  So, John, all the best to you, and thank you for everything that you 
have done and everything that you will do in the future.
  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York for his remarks.
  I now yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).
  Mr. COLE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I want to reflect just a moment, as we all have, on our mutual friend 
John McHugh. Obviously, I didn't have the opportunity to know him in 
New York. I first got to know him as a politician in 1992, about the 
same time I got to

[[Page H12037]]

know you, Mr. King. I was the executive director of the National 
Republican Congressional Committee. John was running in what was a 
tumultuous year, a very challenging year for incumbents in both 
parties, an era of very low trust in the institution of Congress and in 
the politicians who engage in civic activities. And what I remembered 
was how effortless John McHugh made his victory appear. He was able to 
do that simply because the people in his district knew him from long 
years of public service, and they recognized the quality, the 
integrity, and the character of the man. The fact that he's been 
reelected eight times since that first election without ever having a 
serious contest in a very competitive district is a testament, frankly, 
to the excellence with which he represented his constituents and the 
high esteem in which he was held, frankly, not only by the people he 
represented, but by the people here in this institution.
  We all know John as a Member's Member, somebody who is incredibly 
thoughtful, incredibly thorough, incredibly bipartisan, and incredibly 
gracious while still being amazingly effective in presenting an 
argument and a point of view. I had the privilege of getting to know 
John not as a candidate but as a public official when I arrived in 
Congress in 2003. I went to the Armed Services Committee and found 
myself--because I, too, represent a military district--his vice 
chairman on the Personnel Subcommittee. What impressed me about John's 
performance as the chairman of that subcommittee was his incredible 
depth of knowledge about all military issues but, particularly, his 
commitment to military families.
  I remember, John taught me what is a very common saying on the Armed 
Services Committee, ``You recruit a soldier, but you retain a family.'' 
He thought about those soldiers very deeply. He understood the 
sacrifices they made. His intimate acquaintance with the great 10th 
Mountain Division at Fort Drum and his wide travels and interaction 
with military personnel made him understand that it was a social unit 
as well as a fighting unit, and how you retained the quality of life in 
an era of an all-volunteer army was really crucial to attracting and 
retaining soldiers and their families.
  I grew up in a military family, and I remember my father leaving the 
military after 20 years, largely because it was the right thing to do 
for his family. He didn't want to, but there simply weren't the 
benefits available to the families that we now provide. John was a big 
part of moving us toward the kind of support systems for families that 
make it possible for our soldiers to perform so effectively in the 
field.
  I, too, have had the opportunity travel with John abroad, and I just 
have to say this as an American, not just as his colleague--I can't 
think of anybody that I would rather have representing us in a foreign 
locale and in front of other nations than John McHugh. He exemplifies 
the very best traditions of public service in this country, and he 
always handles himself with such incredible grace and incredible wit, 
and he is so remarkably articulate when he's expressing his points of 
view.
  I think the fact that he was chosen by President Obama to be 
Secretary of the Army speaks incredibly well of both of them. It tells 
you the manner in which John is regarded by members not only of his own 
party but the other party, and it tells you, frankly, that the 
President has thought profoundly, in a bipartisan sense, about foreign 
policy and certainly about the military, where he's tried to recruit 
the best people he could find to provide the civilian leadership for 
our forces at a time of war. I can't think of anybody better to fulfill 
that task than John.

  Now, I have to say, there are a lot of reasons I will miss John 
McHugh, but probably, selfishly, the best is he smokes a mean cigar. 
Not only that, but he always looked like I always thought I would like 
to look as a Congressman. John looks the part. He could be a movie 
Congressman. You know, he is a handsome guy. He is extraordinarily well 
dressed, and when he smokes that cigar, he is so amazingly 
sophisticated. And by the way, he knows a lot about them.
  I just want to close by saying that it's been a great personal 
privilege and an honor to serve with somebody like John McHugh, and I 
wish every American had the opportunity to know that Congress is, 
indeed, populated by people like John, that they come here, they're not 
flamboyant. He is not the sort of person that, you know, is ever going 
to lose his temper or create a scene. He just does his job with 
excellence, professionalism, decency, and courtesy every day, and I 
can't think of an individual who is as knowledgeable or as suited to 
lead the United States Army as a civilian Secretary in a time of war 
than John McHugh.
  So I want to thank my friend for his years of splendid service in 
this House and to, frankly, thank him a little bit early for his 
service to our country, because I have no doubt he will discharge his 
duties as the Secretary of the Army. I also want to express my 
appreciation to the President of the United States for making such a 
wise and bipartisan choice.
  With that, I yield back to my friend.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for his 
remarks. I must say, I agree with him completely that Congressman 
McHugh had a level of sophistication and sartorial splendor which you 
and I certainly lack. We all try to emulate John but come nowhere 
close.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Engel), who also served in the New York State 
Legislature, in the assembly when Congressman McHugh was at that time a 
State senator. I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).
  Mr. ENGEL. Thank you very much. I thank my friend from Long Island 
for yielding to me.
  I, too, want to say very, very nice things about our colleague John 
McHugh. You know, I hope he's listening now because one of the things 
that's so nice--I received an award a couple of weeks ago, and all 
these people got up and said such nice things about me. I was wondering 
who they were talking about. But I said the nice thing about hearing 
this is that it is almost like being at your own funeral, except you're 
alive to hear it. John can hear all the wonderful things we're saying 
about him from the heart. We mean it, and I think everyone can see the 
bipartisan feelings of affection that we have for John McHugh.
  John and I both served in Albany, New York, in the State legislature. 
I served in the State assembly for 12 years, and John served in the 
State senate for 8. Our careers sort of went along the same path. John 
and I are about the same age, and we served in Albany and in Washington 
at the same time; although, I always remind him that I was senior to 
him in both Albany and Washington. But one of the things that you 
always know about John is that he is one of the nicest people you ever 
want to meet.
  You know, the House gym is where you really get to meet people, talk, 
relax, and know them. John and I, as it turned out, had lockers right 
next to each other, so we often chatted there as well. I never heard 
him say a nasty word about anybody. He always had a smile on his face, 
was always pleasant, and was always caring. As some of my colleagues 
have said, he looked like the stereotypical Member of Congress, what a 
Member of Congress should look like, should act like, should be like--
that was John. And I'm sorry to lose him, but I'm happy to lose him at 
the same time, because I think that the President couldn't have picked 
a better person to be Secretary of the Army.
  Our colleagues have talked about some of his accomplishments and some 
of the things that he's done. He's had many accomplishments and has 
done many things, but the thing that I like most about John is that he 
is just a plain nice guy, down to Earth, caring about people. Actually, 
everything that a public servant should be, John is. We miss him 
already here in the House, but we know he's doing great work for our 
country as Secretary of the Army.
  John is a quiet person. He is not someone who is going to toot his 
own

[[Page H12038]]

horn and tell you how great he is or get up and give a rousing speech, 
telling someone off. That's not John. John is quiet, mild-mannered, 
caring, smart, the kind of person that we all know should be in public 
service. So I wouldn't for the world miss this opportunity to say my 
words of tribute to my good friend who we're going to miss, as I said, 
but know he's going to do a great job. John McHugh, whatever he does, 
he'll do great, and I know that he will be a great Secretary of the 
Army.
  I thank the gentleman for letting me say a few words.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for his remarks.
  I now yield to the gentleman from Ohio, a good friend of Secretary 
McHugh, Mr. LaTourette.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, it's my privilege to be here during this Special Order, 
talking about our friend John McHugh. You know, when somebody retires 
or leaves or goes on to something else, you miss him. People talk about 
the gym. I remember, and I miss, that on a pretty regular basis you 
would go out to the fireplace out here in the Speaker's Lobby and John 
would have the biggest cup of something with ice in it. He was a 
constant fixture out there, and you could talk to him on a regular 
basis.
  People will talk about his service on the Armed Services Committee, 
but that isn't how I knew him. I'm going to talk a little bit about the 
Oversight and Government Reform Committee and his work on postal 
reform.

                              {time}  1800

  I know John's office, for some reason in the last three Congresses, 
has always been either next to or across from mine.
  His commitment to the military was always evident. He always had more 
brass in his office than a Sousa band. They were always coming and 
going, and they wanted to make sure that John McHugh understood where 
they were coming from.
  I met John when I came here in 1995. Our service was on the 
Government Reform and Oversight Committee. John's post, when we were in 
the majority at that time, was as the chairman of the Postal Service 
Subcommittee, which no longer exists, but it was the Postal Service 
Subcommittee. The hot topic was postal reform. Postal reform hadn't 
been accomplished in about 25-30 years in this country, and there was a 
reason for that--it wasn't an easy thing to do, but John stayed at it 
in Congress after Congress, and suffered mightily because all of the 
stakeholders had a different view; you had the private shippers; you 
had the postal unions; you had the people with the postage meters. 
Everybody sort of had a dog in that fight, and it was John's job to 
sort of guide that through.
  I'll never forget. I was a member of that subcommittee, and I wasn't 
so crazy about his first draft. I think it was called H.R. 22, his 
first piece of legislation. I sent him a strongly worded letter, 
reading, You know, how could you do this on postal reform? Well, John 
sent me a letter back, and just about took the skin off the back of my 
hand. It was the most pointed letter I'd ever received, and so I 
trotted right over to his office because I wanted to make sure he 
wasn't mad at me. We all send letters. We make points, but I wanted to 
make sure John wasn't upset.
  In the end, H.R. 22 did, in fact, become law, and John modernized 
through postal reform and helped take the United States Postal Service 
into the 21st century, and that was no small feat. I know that he will 
do the same for the President as the Secretary of the Army.
  You know, I happen to belong to a group of moderate Republicans. Some 
of us have sort of suspected that the President and Chief of Staff Rahm 
Emanuel have devised a scheme to completely denude the House of 
Representatives of moderate Republicans. You know, first they started 
with my classmate, Ray LaHood, and they made him the Secretary of 
Transportation. Then they took McHugh, and made him the Secretary of 
the Army. At the time that they made that choice, I said--and I'll say 
again during this Special Order honoring John--that the President 
couldn't have made a better selection. We are the poorer here in the 
House without the benefit of his wisdom, experience and guidance, but I 
know he will well serve the men and women in uniform, and he will well 
serve his President of the United States.
  Lastly, I would say that John and I also parked near each other. John 
did have a really sweet parking space in the Rayburn garage on G-3, and 
if there's only one good thing that has happened in the House as a 
result of his departure, it's now that I get to park in his parking 
space.
  So I thank you for organizing this Special Order, Mr. King, and I 
yield back to you.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Ohio 
for always managing to get something good out of whatever happens. He 
gets John McHugh as Secretary of the Army, and Steve LaTourette has a 
good parking place, so all is right with the world.
  Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Teague). The gentleman has 25 minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I proudly yield to the 
distinguished gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the National 
Republican Campaign Committee, Mr. Sessions.
  Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate the gentleman, Mr. King, for not only 
yielding me time to talk about our former colleague and the great 
Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, but I also thank the gentleman for 
his leadership on behalf of the State of New York. He really cochaired 
that responsibility and leadership in so many respects with the 
gentleman John McHugh.
  As we see John's friends who have come to the floor this evening to 
talk about this great man John McHugh from New York--our former 
colleague, the gentleman from the 24th District of New York--and as his 
colleagues come to the floor to tout the attributes of service and 
respect and admiration that we have for John McHugh, I think it's 
important to note and to amplify how we believe that the men and women 
of the United States Army and every person who wears the uniform of the 
United States military will recognize this man who is from our body--a 
man who in service to his congressional district, to his State and to 
his country embodied the highest of skillsets, of personal 
accomplishment and the best wishes.
  If I can for a minute, I'd like to talk about John McHugh, the man, 
as we have all taken the pleasure of doing. We just heard the gentleman 
Mr. LaTourette talk about how he worked with John McHugh on the 
Government Reform Committee. In fact, I arrived in Congress in 1997, 
and immediately found myself on the Government Reform Committee. I was 
a freshman who was eager to take part in the endeavors that lay ahead 
of us.
  One of the subcommittees at that time, which I believe the gentleman 
Mr. LaTourette spoke about, was the Postal Subcommittee. The Postal 
Subcommittee had this bright, young person who was the subcommittee 
chairman. He was John McHugh, the gentleman from New York. John made 
sure, as my subcommittee chairman, that I was there at all the 
meetings--I was expected to be as a freshman--but more importantly, 
that I understood the substance and the issues that would be before us.
  John took very seriously, as he always has, the duties and 
responsibilities that were there, presented to him and that he 
accepted. John made sure that I was well-versed on postal issues, 
talking about not just the compromises but the opportunities that lay 
ahead for us, making sure that the challenges were properly taken care 
of. I developed a deep and abiding relationship with John that I 
cherish even today--although, I'm sure he wants to forget a few of 
those meetings that we had that went on and on. It was all in the 
spirit of our service and in the need to make sure that we 
appropriately and properly did our duty.
  I also had a chance to run across John McHugh as the left fielder for 
our baseball team. John McHugh played left field in college. John 
McHugh is a little, skinny runt who probably weighed about 115 pounds--
if he had a bat in his hand, maybe 120--but that old guy could catch 
flies out in left field. Some of the most fun activities

[[Page H12039]]

and times that I had here in Washington were on the baseball field in 
Alexandria. As Republicans, we would prepare for our baseball games and 
for the charity game that we do every year, Republicans against 
Democrats. John McHugh showed up every darned day. I, some days, wanted 
him not to be there because I wanted a chance to play in the ball game.
  John started in left field. I didn't understand how this old guy, who 
was probably five or six years older than I am--and I was old at the 
time--could be a skinny runt with little legs that could carry him and 
how he could catch all the balls.
  He was very kind to me. He showed me, really, how to dodge all of the 
mud puddles that were out in left field. That was when we had an 
amazing rain in about the year 2000, maybe '99, 2000, 2001. John had it 
down. As people across this country are hearing about this great guy 
John McHugh, John had his position down once again, and John in left 
field could walk out in the midst of all the mud that was outside 
there, play three or four innings, come back in, and not have a piece 
of dirt on him. I went out there and found the mud puddle as I was 
running, trying to catch the fly, staying up with just catching.
  There were two ducks that were out there in the mud puddle in left 
field with us. John made friends with the ducks. The ducks got along 
with him, but when I went out there, I was in trouble. I remember 
diving and sliding and walking back and John just looking at me and 
laughing. He's not just a fun and kind guy. He found a way to allow me 
to play in the game. He allowed me to share in that endeavor, and we 
had a good time--always at my expense, I'm sure--but that just spoke 
volumes about the kind of man that he was early on in my career as we 
worked together.
  John and I found lots of activities with each other, and John always 
included me, not just because of my thought processes of wanting to 
know what I was thinking but because of how we could work together and 
how we could make things work.
  Well, when 9/11 came, Pete King, John McHugh and other members of the 
New York delegation who were hit and hit hard--Sue Kelly was in that 
group, John Sweeney and some others--really worked with members of 
other delegations to talk with them about the needs of New York and 
about what we needed to do. John McHugh was a strong advocate. He felt 
very strongly about the men and women who would be called also into 
harm's way as a result of 9/11. He understood firsthand those families.
  John, as we know, ended up taking some 10 visits to Iraq and 4 visits 
to Afghanistan. He sat on the West Point or the U.S. Military Academy 
Board of Visitors. He knew that I went to the graduations at West Point 
and enjoyed them immensely. He knows that I have had and that virtually 
every Member of this body has had several young men or young women who 
are students at the Academy from all over this Congress and from all 
over this country. John had a strong sense of responsibility about 
believing in the mission and purpose, and knew that I felt that way, 
and looked at other Members the same way.
  He was a co-Chair of the House Army Caucus. He understood firsthand 
not just the men and their missions but their families and their lives 
after coming back home. He spoke very passionately, he and I, about the 
needs of our returning vets who sometimes still need more in additional 
help. He has indicated that he will go and take this job. He is 
fulfilling this duty to do his best for the men and women of the United 
States Army--a branch of a service that he not only strongly identifies 
with but has worked with in his congressional duties.
  John McHugh is a friend. He is a friend of anyone who has balance 
about trying to solve problems. John McHugh is a kind man. Many times 
in the midst, when lots of us are hurried in making decisions, John 
McHugh listens to the facts of the case. John McHugh has in this body 
exemplified himself. He has stood out as a person who can be trusted, 
who can make a wise decision and who cares about other people.
  So, tonight, as this body honors the gentleman John McHugh, I would 
say to the men and women of the United States Army, to the spouses, to 
the children, and to the families that John McHugh is taking the place 
of Pete Geren. Pete Geren grew to have a strong reputation that the 
Army could count on, not only in discipline and leadership but in doing 
the right thing. John McHugh is that kind of man also. John McHugh will 
lead with honor and distinction. John McHugh will also do the right 
thing.
  So, for our colleague who was tapped by the President of the United 
States to go and lead, for our colleague who worked with us day in and 
day out and year after year with honor and distinction, for our 
colleague John McHugh who will leave this body, knowing that he still 
had fight left in him, to go and still lead for the best, for this 
young man John McHugh, who has lots of friends here who wish him not 
only the very best but who want to see him again, for our friend John 
McHugh, who is serving with distinction and who will do well, we say:
  John McHugh, we thank you. We thank you for who you are and for what 
you are. Don't change. Sure, get better, but go ahead, and do just what 
you've done all these years. Do this for the right reason.
  The gentleman from New York, as I go to conclude here, I would like 
to read something which was part of John McHugh's statement as he left 
this body.

                              {time}  1815

  He said in July, I have been so struck how these heroes facing pain 
and loss and uncertainty asked one question, What else can I do to 
serve? He challenged himself when he said, We can ask no less of 
ourselves.
  I would say to the men and women of the United States Army, you have 
a kind, gracious leader who will care about you. You have a man that 
understands that it is you who will be asked to sacrifice, but you will 
also have a man that will never ask you to do anything that he does not 
honestly believe in that is in the best interest of freedom and 
opportunity in the United States of America.
  And as we hear these stories of bravery and heroism, as we see these 
men suffer, as we see their families well up, not only in pride, but 
also in fear for their families, we would offer one of our own from 
this body to say, We have confidence that you will lead, you will lead 
to the best; and we're going to miss you, but we're very, very proud of 
you.
  From my left field buddy from congressional baseball, good luck with 
the New York Yankees against the Philadelphia Phillies, because you 
guys are going to need it.
  Mr. KING of New York. Thank you, Congressman Sessions.
  We have seen tonight people from all regions of the country, from 
both sides of the aisle, come forward. No one personifies that more 
than the dean of the New York delegation, the chairman of the House 
Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Rangel.
  I yield to the gentleman from New York.
  (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. RANGEL. Let me thank my dear friend, Peter King, for taking time 
out on behalf of the entire delegation to give us an opportunity to pay 
tribute to one of our great Members of Congress and certainly one of 
our great eloquent members of the New York State congressional 
delegation.
  I think John McHugh epitomizes what most Americans really look 
forward to when they think of their government or their Congress or 
their House of Representatives, and that is a guy that has principles, 
that sticks by them, and yet finds a way to get away from the harshness 
of partisanship during the time that he is representing their 
particular interests. This is especially so when one person of a party 
that probably has been for a lifetime has an opportunity to serve this 
great Nation under the leadership of a President from another party. I 
think that that really tests, whether you are Republican or Democrat or 
Independent, your willingness to understand that there are so many 
different ways to serve this great Nation. When he was called, it's my 
understanding that he didn't hesitate to respond when President Obama 
asked him to serve as Secretary of the United States Army.
  I think during the rough partisan times that we are going through 
now,

[[Page H12040]]

that we ought to take advantage, as you have seen fit to do, Mr. King, 
to point out that it's not like this every day, it's not like this 
every year, and that fortunately the New York State delegation have 
managed to disagree without being disagreeable, to maintain our 
friendships, to have mutual respect. And at the end of the day when we 
have done our responsibility in one particular Federal job, that we are 
able to move forward and look forward to working with each other again.
  Let me single you out for doing this on behalf of the delegation, on 
behalf of the Republicans, and, I would like to say, on behalf of the 
entire Congress.
  Mr. KING of New York. I thank Chairman Rangel for his remarks.
  It's very appropriate, I believe, that Congressman McHugh has become 
Secretary of the Army, and these remarks tonight by Mr. Rangel were 
made by someone who has such a distinguished record in the United 
States Army in the Korean War. That's the type of person that John 
McHugh will be representing as Secretary of the Army, heroic men such 
as Congressman Rangel who certainly put their life on the line and 
answered their nation's call.
  Mr. Speaker, we have seen a large number of people coming out tonight 
to speak on behalf of Secretary of the Army John McHugh. I was 
fortunate to be elected to the United States Congress in 1992, the same 
year as John McHugh. I knew John McHugh from his outstanding service in 
the New York State Senate, I knew that he was a legislator's 
legislator; and from the moment he arrived here in the Congress, John 
always to me exemplified what a Member of Congress should be. I don't 
know how many times you would walk out that door and see John sitting 
there at a chair and desk studying the legislation.
  People say that Members of Congress don't read their legislation. I 
can tell that you John McHugh was constantly reading legislation, 
constantly studying up on what had to be done, constantly trying to 
find bipartisan solutions to problems.
  It was mentioned tonight that he served on the Postal Subcommittee, 
where he did author reform legislation of the Postal Service, a very, 
very difficult job.
  We talked about the trips he took, the 10 visits to Iraq, the four to 
Afghanistan that he took as a member of the Armed Services Committee. 
Then earlier this year he reached the culmination of his congressional 
career when he was elected as ranking member of the Armed Services 
Committee where, again, he worked very closely with Chairman Ike 
Skelton in a bipartisan way, always putting the troops first. I 
remember during his early years here in Congress when there was an 
attempt to close down Fort Drum and the work that John put in around 
the clock doing what he could and successfully doing what he could to 
save Fort Drum from being closed down.
  These are just some examples of the type of dedication that John 
McHugh had. As Congressman Rangel said, there was something else; there 
was no meanness, there was no bitterness, there was no anger in John 
McHugh.
  John wanted to find a way to get things done. He had strong 
principles. He had strong beliefs. But he also recognized that people 
on the other side of the aisle and people in his own party also had 
very strong beliefs, and they may be different from his, but he 
respected them.
  I wish John the very best as Secretary of the Army. President Obama 
made an absolutely superb selection when he picked John McHugh. I can't 
think of anyone who would dedicate himself more to the men and women of 
the United States Army than John McHugh.
  As was mentioned, having traveled with John to Iraq, I would see him 
sit with the generals, the two-star generals, the three-star generals, 
the four-star generals. He would sit with the ambassadors. He would sit 
with all of the high-ranking people. But he always found time to spend 
most of his time with the enlisted men, the enlisted women, the PFCs, 
the sergeants, the first lieutenants, second lieutenants. He realized 
that it wasn't just the people at the top, but it was people at all 
levels, the people who really did the heavy lifting, who put their 
lives on the line, who were the people who made the most impression on 
him and to whom he had the greatest responsibility.
  John, I certainly wish you the best. We look forward to your service 
for the United States, for the United States Army. I know that more 
even than the feeling you are going to receive from the Members of 
Congress, it's the men and women of the Armed Forces, of the United 
States Army, who appreciate you the most, because they are going to be 
the greatest beneficiaries of your dedication, your patriotism and your 
hard work.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, while working with Secretary John McHugh 
for many years as a fellow Upstate New York Representative, I had the 
privilege of getting to know him not only as a Representative but as a 
friend. Throughout his time in the House of Representatives, 
Congressman John McHugh has more than demonstrated his qualifications 
to serve as the Secretary of the Army.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  October 28, 2009 on Page H12040 the following appeared: Mr. 
SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker,
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Ms. SLAUGHTER. 
Mr. Speaker,


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

  As a Congressman, he consistently made our servicemen and women and 
their families his top priority. He never stopped fighting for them and 
his respect for and commitment to those serving in our armed forces 
will make him an extraordinary Secretary of the Army.
  Beyond his advocacy on behalf of our men and women in uniform, John 
McHugh has immense experience in dealing with the most important issues 
facing the Army. During his time in the House, Congressman McHugh rose 
to Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee following his 
work as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Morale, Welfare and Recreation 
Panel and the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
  He became the co-chair of the House Army Caucus where he continued to 
advocate for Army soldiers and their families while helping other 
members of Congress to understand the complicated intricacies of issues 
facing the Army. His expertise was invaluable to the Armed Services 
Committee and the larger House.
  Mr. McHugh's work in foreign affairs also provides him with a unique 
background and knowledge base to address the issues facing the Army. 
His membership on the House International Relations Committee and the 
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence provided valuable 
experience that will be important in addressing the challenges of our 
Army. He has already traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan and other deployed 
locations demonstrating his commitment gaining a deep understanding of 
our military commitments.
  Moreover, over the past 16 years I have found few Members of Congress 
more pleasant to work with than John McHugh. As fellow New Yorkers, 
John and I worked closely on many important pieces of legislation that 
were vital to our state and country. John always proved to be a man of 
integrity and honor who approached each and every issue with an open 
mind. John will be missed in the House, and I am certain that John will 
serve our country greatly in his new position.
  I wish him well.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I rise to honor a good friend 
of mine and an esteemed former Member of this House.
  First elected in 1993, John McHugh represented New York's 23rd 
Congressional district honorably in the U.S. House of Representatives 
until this summer.
  Representing Fort Drum and the men and women of the legendary 10th 
Mountain Division, John joined the Armed Services Committee upon being 
elected and went on to serve as the Chairman of the Morale, Welfare, 
and Recreation Panel; the Chairman of the Military Personnel 
Subcommittee; and the Ranking Member of the Full Committee.
  During his tenure in the House of Representatives, John was a 
tireless advocate for America's military personnel and their families 
and known by his colleagues as a leader on national defense and 
security issues.
  One of his best attributes was his willingness to sit down with our 
troops--active, Guard and reserve, and their family members at every 
level of the chain of command--to hear their views and concerns.
  From his leadership positions with the Armed Services Committee and 
with little fanfare, John traveled across the globe--from the United 
States and Europe to active combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan--to 
hear directly from troops stationed and deployed overseas.
  Along those lines, John spearheaded more than 68 hearings, mark-ups, 
and briefings so

[[Page H12041]]

he could hear a variety of views, make reasoned decisions, and 
translate those into legislative initiatives to ensure our military 
personnel have the best possible training, the most modern equipment 
and weapons systems, and the necessary resources to carry out their 
missions.
  Some of his accomplishments include: higher Army and Marine Corps 
end-strength levels, increased military personnel pay, reductions in 
the unfair tax on veterans' disability and military retired pay, and 
more military retiree benefits for our troops.
  It is for these reasons that President Obama tapped John McHugh to be 
his Secretary of the Army. In that position, John is continuing his 
work on behalf of the men and women of our military and their families.
  Mr. LEE of New York. Mr. Speaker, while I only had a few months to 
serve with Secretary McHugh, I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know 
this great statesman.
  As one of the first Members I met, he was not only gracious but 
mindful of how to respect this institution and make a positive 
contribution.
  It's no surprise that Members on both sides of the aisle like and 
respect him. Moreover, his unparalleled dedication to serving the 
people of the 23rd District rightfully earned him a record of strong 
constituent service.
  Given his commitment to fighting for our servicemembers overseas and 
at home, I can think of no one better suited to serve as Secretary of 
the Army.
  I know he's greatly invested in our future in Afghanistan--especially 
given that Fort Drum was located in his district.
  While this is certainly a loss for our New York delegation, I look 
forward to working with Secretary McHugh in the future to meet the 
needs of our military personnel and their families.
  I know my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us in 
wishing Secretary McHugh well and thank him for his distinguished 
service to this body and our Nation.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my colleague and my 
friend Congressman John McHugh. I had the pleasure of serving with John 
McHugh both on the Armed Services Committee and on the Intelligence 
Committee. I have always been impressed with his dedication to his 
constituents and to the men and women who protect and defend our 
nation.
  Given his role as the Chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus and 
his strong support for Army programs, it is fitting that he was 
selected by President Obama to serve as the 21st Secretary of the 
United States Army. During his tenure as the Chairman of the Armed 
Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel, he was a 
forceful advocate for military members and their families, and I am 
sure that he will continue those efforts to improve the quality of life 
of our nation's Army.
  Congressman, now Secretary, McHugh knows better than most that our 
soldiers, and the families who support their service, give so much to 
protect the freedom and values of all Americans and that we owe them an 
immeasurable debt of gratitude. I am certain that he will give his all 
in his new role, just as he did as a Member of Congress, and I join my 
colleagues in wishing our friend John McHugh the best as he undertakes 
this new and important challenge. At this time in the Army's history, 
we need a leader like Secretary McHugh.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.

                          ____________________