[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7835-H7836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO IKE SKELTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, let me first say that I, too, am here to thank 
Ike Skelton for his friendship, for his service to this country, and 
especially for his friendship to me.
  My relationship with Ike Skelton goes back more than 30 years. I was 
a teenager when I first met him because he served with my father--both 
represented the State of Missouri--and I can remember the day he 
arrived here. I went on through college and happened to wind up serving 
in the State legislature for 17 years in his district, in Jefferson 
City, so our paths would cross on occasion.
  But ladies and gentlemen, this country will never witness an 
individual like Ike Skelton. There will never be another one like him 
to cast a shadow on this floor. You have served this country and your 
State well, and you have also given me a great appreciation for our 
armed services, the men and women who some make the ultimate sacrifice 
for this country.
  As Rev. Cleaver and others have said, I have also visited Lafayette 
and have been to Ike's home, but I have also been to the military bases 
with Ike, to Whiteman Air Force Base where

[[Page H7836]]

they house the B-1. And he has been my compass in this House on 
military issues.
  He has also been, as Rev. Cleaver said, a brother to me. I had two 
sisters, too, Ike. I never had a brother, but if I could ever identify 
somebody as a brother, it would be you. I know I will miss you. I will 
miss your guidance, I will miss your mentoring.
  We have truly witnessed a legislative giant in our midst. You have 
done your job, you have done it quite well. I know this won't be the 
last time that we see each other and I know that you will frequently 
visit us, but for the Missouri delegation, you were there for all of 
us.
  He was the senior member of the Missouri delegation and never 
hesitated to call us together. We have so much cohesion as a State 
because of his leadership. I appreciate that, Ike. I appreciate how you 
have taken me under your wing and given me guidance here, and I will 
love you for it for the rest of my life. As the saying goes, ``Old 
soldiers never die, they just fade away.'' But you won't be fading too 
far.
  I love you, Ike Skelton. God bless you, and God bless the United 
States.

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