[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E468-E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BILL O'CONNOR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. FRANK D. LUCAS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2010

  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I would like to take the time to recognize 
the retirement of a longtime Republican aide on the House Agriculture 
Committee: Bill O'Conner. For more than 30 years, Bill O'Conner has 
come to be known as a highly knowledgeable staffer who could work with 
members and aides from both sides of the aisle, respected for his 
professionalism, and appreciated for the experience and expertise he 
contributed to policy discussions.
  Although Bill was raised in Kansas, I am proud to recognize that he 
was born in my home state of Oklahoma. He graduated from Wichita State 
University. And after serving a tour with the Marines, he earned his 
master's degree at Wichita State University and continued to do 
doctoral work at Ohio State University.
  Bill's long career on Capitol Hill began in 1979 when he first worked 
as an analyst for the House Republican Conference. In 1981, he became 
the Executive Director of the House Republican Research Committee under 
the Chairmanship of Rep. Ed Madigan of Illinois. Two years later when 
Rep. Madigan became the Ranking Republican on the House

[[Page E469]]

Agriculture Committee, Bill was appointed the Deputy Minority Staff 
Director.
  For the next seven years, Bill was responsible for policy and 
legislative development for Agriculture Committee Republicans. In 1991, 
Rep. Madigan became the Secretary of Agriculture and appointed Bill as 
his Chief of Staff. Bill served in that role through the balance of 
President George H.W. Bush's administration.
  In 1993, Bill returned to the Republican House Agriculture Committee 
as Policy Director under Rep. Pat Roberts of Kansas. He continued as 
Policy Director or Staff Director for the remainder of his career 
working under Rep. Bob Smith of Oregon, Rep. Larry Combest of Texas, 
Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, and Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma.
  Bill's knowledge and experience made him an essential staffer in the 
development and implementation of U.S. agriculture policy. He played a 
key role in the reauthorization of five farm bills. And, he has been 
regarded as an expert on agriculture policy matters by both Republicans 
and Democrats, House and Senate members.
  One story that highlights the trust Bill earned from members of 
Congress happened in 2003 when the Agriculture Committee received 
reconciliation instructions. Rep. Dennis Hastert, then Speaker of the 
House, called a members meeting to discuss the instructions, which 
included Bill as staff director of the committee. Prior to starting the 
meeting, Speaker Hastert announced to the group that he wanted everyone 
to know that in 1986 Ed Madigan dispatched Bill O'Conner to assist with 
his first campaign to Congress. Madigan advised him to quote ``listen 
to everything this man tells you.'' Hastert continued to say that he 
did then and has done so every day since.
  It is fair to say that every Chairman and Ranking Member on the 
Agriculture Committee for whom Bill has worked was also wise to follow 
Mr. Madigan's advice. We remain grateful for Bill's dedication and 
service. His leadership, knowledge, experience, and professionalism 
will be missed, but we do wish him and his family the very best in the 
future.

                          ____________________