[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12068-H12069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF FORMER GOVERNOR DAVE TREEN

  (Mr. SCALISE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, it is with sadness that I announce to the 
House the passing of a former Member of this body, a former Governor of 
the State of Louisiana, Dave Treen, who passed away this morning at 
East Jefferson Hospital. He was 81 years old.
  He served in this Chamber from 1973 until 1980 and then served as 
Governor of the State of Louisiana from 1980 until 1984. He was the 
first Republican Governor elected from Louisiana since Reconstruction. 
A man who is considered by all on both sides of the aisle as probably 
one of the people who had the most honor and integrity of anybody in 
the history of Louisiana politics, somebody who truly set the bar for 
integrity in public service. Dave Treen is somebody who truly is 
respected by people all across Louisiana as one of the truly most 
honorable men to serve in public service.
  He also joins his wife, Dodi, whom he loved dearly. He's a proud 
father, a proud grandfather, a brother as well, and somebody who will 
dearly be missed in Louisiana.
  I yield to my colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon).
  Mr. MELANCON. Madam Speaker, whether serving in Congress or as 
Governor or working as a private citizen, Dave Treen always put 
Louisiana first. Dave was bipartisan, a middle-of-the-road compromiser 
who never forgot that there were greater principles worth fighting for 
beyond party and politics. He will be remembered fondly by all of us 
who knew him as a warm, wonderful person and a committed reformer.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult 
time.
  Having been a Kappa Sigma, that was one of the places where we had 
common interest and bond. Dave Treen will

[[Page H12069]]

be sorely missed. He was a gentleman, an honorable person, and he loved 
this body when he served here, and he will be well remembered as 
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of 
silence in honor of Dave Treen and his family.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members will rise. The House will observe a 
moment of silence.

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