[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5041-H5043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN SHIMKUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Louisiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, tonight we are going to spend the next hour paying 
tribute to a special man who has served here in this Congress since 
1997, our dear friend, Congressman   John Shimkus.
  John came to Congress back at a time when you saw a lot more 
collegiality. In fact, Madam Speaker, tonight we have Republicans and 
Democrats on this floor who are going to be talking about   John 
Shimkus, the man;   John Shimkus, our friend;   John Shimkus, the 
legislator, somebody who, when he retires, will have a proud record of 
achievement showing how he made his mark on this great Nation.
  We are joined in this House Chamber tonight by John's lovely wife, 
Karen, who is here tonight. His son, Josh, is not far from the Chamber. 
We have many friends, and I know we have a limited amount of time.
  First, Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. 
Young), the dean of the House.
  Mr. YOUNG. Madam Speaker, I thank the leader for yielding.
    John Shimkus has been my friend. He has done well for this House.
  He and I played paddleball together. We never lost. We will be 
challenged on that, but that is true.
  I have a saying that many people may not recognize. Why do the good 
people leave this Congress and the SOBs stay behind? I have been here 
48 years, so I have to reconsider that.
  But, John, we will miss you. You are a great Congressman; you are a 
great ally; you are a great American; and I know you have served your 
district very well. God bless you in the future for things you may do.
  Mr. SCALISE. Thank you, Dean Young. We are going to check that 
record. I know I am glad I never went up against you, although you have 
taken a few of us to the woodshed.
  Madam Speaker, keeping with the bipartisan tradition, I yield to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney), our friend on the Energy and 
Commerce Committee.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the whip for the opportunity to 
say some words here.
  Madam Speaker, my first impression of John was pretty scary. It was 
my first day on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and John was in the 
top dais, and I was down in front, a little freshman. John looked down 
on us and said: Your policies in the Democratic Party are going to cost 
you your seat.
  I looked back. ``Oh, geez, I hope he is not looking at me.'' He was, 
but we got over it.
  It is funny, when the climate change issue came up, John had a 
standard practice. He would bring out this big picture of his coal mine 
workers, and say: You guys, climate policy is going to cost these 
people their jobs.
  That is a hard argument to fight against. That is a hard argument 
because you know he is fighting for his people. I know there are other 
people here who are shaking their heads on that one, but I respected 
that. He was fighting for the people he cared about and the people he 
represented.
  But there were some things John and I had in common. We both played 
paddleball, and we were pretty evenly matched, so we got some good 
games in there. The great thing about that is that you get to know 
people who you wouldn't otherwise get to know, and that was important. 
I think that is a tradition that we need to carry on.
  We also both went to West Point, so we had that little bit in common, 
and it was fun to talk about that.
  Eventually, we started talking about policy. One day, I asked Henry 
Waxman: What about   John Shimkus?
  Henry said: He is a nice guy, Jerry.
  Then he frowned, and he said: But he sure is conservative.
  That is coming from Henry Waxman, so I don't know if that means 
anything or not.
  John and I started talking about nuclear waste and policy. He took me 
to Yucca Mountain. It is pretty impressive, but it is totally shut 
down.

[[Page H5042]]

  Sorry to tell you, John, it ain't going to happen, as much as we 
would like it to.
  I even talked to Dean Heller about it, and Dean Heller said: Oh, John 
Shimkus, people in Nevada think of him as Darth Vader.

  Later, it was suggested that the Democrats and the Republicans sit 
together during the State of the Union, and that is cool. John and I 
sat together. I have to tell you, it is weird when the President is in 
the other party, and you are sitting with that party. Everyone stands 
up and cheers, and you are sitting on your hands.
  We got through that. We still play paddleball occasionally.
  I think as time went on, we got to be friends, and we talked a lot. I 
can tell you, John has made an impression on me. He stands up for what 
he believes in. We need more people like that, that have strong 
beliefs. They are willing to fight for what they believe in but are 
also willing to compromise and work with the other side to make 
progress happen.
  That is what we need in this institution. I respect John for that.
  We will miss having him here, but we will find somebody else.
  Mr. SCALISE. With that warm tribute, Madam Speaker, clearly, we work 
well together. We have a comity with each other. You have to keep your 
sanity around here by keeping things lighthearted in the middle of a 
lot of heated battles sometimes. But in the meantime, when you think 
about the friendships--and I will share my story about John shortly.
  There is a townhouse that   John Shimkus owns here in Washington, 
D.C., and it is a four-bedroom townhouse. There are four Members of 
Congress who live in that townhouse. We each have our own bedrooms and 
bathrooms, but we come together. It has been, I think, a special part 
of all of our times up here in Congress to get to know each other so 
well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), the 
Member of Congress who has lived in the townhouse with John the 
longest, probably going back to when he purchased it, our dear friend, 
colleague, and roommate.
  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I thank the whip for organizing the Special 
Order.
  Remind me never to have Congressman McNerney do my eulogy. The crowd 
would never believe it.
  Madam Speaker, we are here to honor a remarkable man, a classmate, 
and a friend of mine for 24 years.
  We all know, in Washington and across the country, his leadership and 
energy for the Energy and Commerce Committee and his leadership in the 
Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee. But you may not know his 
achievements in the heart.
  He is committed to the Baltic States, in developing and enhancing 
that relationship with the U.S.; his many years of service on the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly, traveling back and forth to Europe to lay out 
and preserve that important relationship; his role serving on the 
Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents; and his service on the West 
Point Board of Governors. He has an amazing legacy for our country.
  He has worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to achieve 
things that matter to real people. His 1998 bill signed into law, 
allowing for biofuel use in Federal, State, and private fleets, has 
made biodiesel more readily available at fuel pumps across the country.
  He is always focused on making sure 911 worked for the American 
people. In 1999, he designated 911 as the universal emergency number in 
the U.S. for mobile as well as landline telephones and continues to 
improve on that for our safety and security.
  He led the bill to require Federal testing of children's booster 
seats, something every parent can take to heart.
  Following that, he created a new internet domain, a place where 
children could go that was safe and secure from predators. It was game-
changing.
  His 2003 law created a placement for heart defibrillators in schools.
  You can see a theme here: helping real people, helping children, 
helping families. He continued that work throughout his years on the 
Energy and Commerce Committee.
  I can go on and on, but he took on tough issues as well, ones that 
people never thought could be solved, like the Toxic Substance Control 
Act, something he worked years for, to build bipartisan support, 
something that makes our Nation more secure environmentally as well.
  We all know, since we have nicknamed him Yucca Shimkus for many 
years, his devotion to trying to find a safe, secure nuclear energy 
future for America.
  He didn't do this by himself. He has an amazing family. His wife, 
Karen, as Steve said, is here today. His three sons, David, Josh, and 
Daniel, who we watched growing up reading in the townhouse, backing 
their dad.
  His heart is never far away from his hometown of Collinsville, 
Illinois. He is, as you know, a proud graduate of the United States 
Military Academy. He served over 5 years Active Duty in the Army and 
then entered the Army Reserves. He retired with the rank of lieutenant 
colonel.
  After 28 years of military service, I can tell you, because I was his 
roommate, when we finished long days at the Capitol, trying to figure 
out how we get ready for the next day, John was leaving to go to a 
Reserve training and continuing education, or the weekends on his 
training as well. He has a devotion to this country that is 
unbelievable.
  His service has not just been to his country but to his community. He 
ran and won his first election for the school township trustees because 
he wanted to help children in his community. He was elected as Madison 
County treasurer so he could serve a broader group of constituents.
  In 1996, he won his first term in the United States House from 
Illinois' 20th District. Today, he represents the 33 counties of the 
15th District.
  I can tell you, it must be an amazing district because we all know 
where the largest ketchup bottle in America is located: Collinsville, 
Illinois. We know his district is the horseradish capital of the world, 
with the International Horseradish Festival, horseradish 
food, horseradish fun.

  I will tell you, he loves his Lord. He loves his family. He has 
always fretted about how much more he can do to help our church, the 
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, in which he has worshiped his entire life.
  Two points, as we finish, for me.
  You would love being his roommate. He is a man of integrity, of 
character. He is, every morning, the first one up in the morning, 
sitting at the kitchen table reading the Bible, sending out those Bible 
phrases for his friends and colleagues in preparing for his day.
  He is an amazing teammate, along with classmate and roommate. He and 
I played in the Congressional Baseball Game now for 23 straight years. 
He is a baseball player. He has won MVP four or five times. We have 
lost count. He is the last Member of Congress to hit a home run out of 
the field, out of the park, on his first to bat in the first year in 
Congress. He has never hit the ball anywhere close ever since.
  He was a catcher, a pitcher, and the captain of our team, which 
doesn't surprise you. He has been the captain of everything he has been 
involved with his entire life. With this, I will tell how remarkable, 
how gutsy, this guy is.
  In 2004 or so, he had open-heart surgery in the spring, which, of 
course, would mean he would miss his favorite baseball game. We had the 
Congressional Baseball Game, and the doctor told him he could begin to 
start exercising 3 months after the surgery. Well, the baseball game 
happened to be exactly 3 months after the surgery.
  Another pitcher started the game, was called back to Congress for 
votes in the Senate, and out of the bullpen came   John Shimkus, 3 
months after heart surgery, not arthroscopic surgery, the kind that 
cracks you open.

                              {time}  2100

  There he was, three up, three down, helping save the game for the 
Republicans. That is the kind of lawmaker, that is the kind of friend, 
that is the kind of competitor he is. John is never letting you down.
  He has always upheld the highest standards for our country, for 
Congress, and I will tell you, at a time where each day you are told 
what is wrong with America,   John Shimkus is what is right with 
America. We are so proud of our friend's service, and he will be missed 
like nobody else.

[[Page H5043]]

  God bless you, John. Thank you.
  Mr. SCALISE. As you can see, Madam Speaker, these are tough jobs, 
these are tough times, but when you come up to Congress, you don't just 
come up here to fight for the things you believe in. That is clearly 
why you run. We all have a deep love for this country. We all have a 
deep set of beliefs that we come to try to advocate for. But we all 
know, in a job like this, you can't do it alone. You need to work with 
other people. You need to find allies, people who want to help join you 
in that cause to advance the things you believe in. And along that way, 
Madam Speaker, you truly do make deep friendships.
  I remember, I was a new Member in a special election. I came in 
towards the tail end of a Congress in 2008 with only 6 months left in 
the term. I didn't really know anybody here. I was trying to find my 
way, in fact, trying to find a place to live. I was living with one of 
my college roommates who works up here in D.C. They had a baby on the 
way, and I was staying in the baby's room, so I knew I had a few weeks 
left before I had to find another place to live.
  So I asked my colleague right over there, I asked Jim McCrery, the 
Congressman from Louisiana, I said: Jim, I am looking for a place. What 
do you do to find a place around here?
  He said: Well, you know,   John Shimkus has an opening at his town 
house.
  I said: Who is   John Shimkus?
  I didn't know John. And he literally pointed, and John was right 
there in the well of the House during a vote series. So all the Members 
of Congress were joined together, and he points John out.
  I walked down, and I introduced myself to John. I said: I heard you 
have an opening at your town house. I just came here, and I am looking 
for a place to stay.
  He said: Why don't you come by later tonight.
  And that, Madam Speaker, started an incredible friendship.
  That next day, I called my wife, Jennifer, that night and I said: I 
think I found a place to live.''
  That next day I moved in. I didn't really know Kevin Brady, and next 
thing you know, I am rooming with these gentlemen and getting to know 
people who became dear friends.
  And again, in a job like this, you work really hard advocating for 
the things that you ran on back home. You are fighting for the people 
in your district. I am honored to represent southeast Louisiana. But 
you are also working with some incredible people, and you get to meet 
incredible people along the way.   John Shimkus is truly, as Kevin 
said, one of those true, genuine people, somebody you can entrust the 
things that you want to share with only a few people.
  Close friendships do form up here. You don't hear about that a lot, 
yet we were able to form such a deep friendship, somebody you can 
trust.
  As Kevin said, John went to West Point. He is an Army guy, so he was 
the drill sergeant in the town house. And when John says something, you 
back your brother's play.
  In fact, the second day I was in the town house, John said: Steve, 
tomorrow you have got to get up at 6 in the morning, and we are going 
out to play baseball.
  I didn't know about the tradition between the Democrats and 
Republicans. I guess I have John to blame.
  John said: You have got to come out for the baseball team.
  I hadn't played baseball in over 25 years. I didn't even have a 
glove, and yet, next thing you know, the next morning I am up playing 
baseball. And, boy, what a start of, again, an ability to generate even 
more friendships, to forge friendships with people on both sides of the 
aisle, some that you work with on a regular basis, some that you are 
not always working with, but people you get to form a deep friendship 
with.
  And that is really what makes Congress work. It is not the things 
that you see on the nightly news, the big fights that go on between the 
parties and sometimes within the parties, but it is the day-to-day 
grind where people do come together and find common ground to advance 
the things that they believe in to make this a greater nation. And   
John Shimkus has done that on so many fronts. I got to see it.
  Yes, he is the first one up. He is reading his Bible. He is writing 
down verses. But when it is time to leave, he starts to whistle. And 
you don't need an alarm clock. When John starts to whistle, that means 
it is time to go to work.
  And, again, he is just a person who wakes up and goes to work for the 
people of southern Illinois and the United States of America, just like 
he served our country in the military. For 24 years, he served this 
great Nation.
  We are a better nation because   John Shimkus has been a Member of 
this wonderful body, the people's House. This is really where people 
come together.
  I started this morning in Philadelphia. I had some meetings there, 
and I actually, on my way out, passed by Independence Hall. You never 
can see that enough. I got to see the Liberty Bell this morning. I got 
to go see the chamber where George Washington sat as they signed the 
Declaration of Independence, where they wrote the Constitution of the 
United States, right next door, the chamber where Congress met for 10 
years when they were building this beautiful building, where they 
actually passed the Bill of Rights.
  We are all honored to be a part of this special place where people of 
all walks of life come together. And you meet people of different 
backgrounds, you work with people of different backgrounds, and you 
work to make this a better country. And you just hope, you just pray, 
as you are praying to God for strength, for wisdom, for guidance, as we 
all do, that whenever you leave--we all leave this job; hopefully, you 
leave on your own terms--if you look back, you can say that you left 
your mark, you made this a better country.

    John Shimkus, you left your mark. You get to leave on your own 
terms. You get to go home with Karen and enjoy your life in southern 
Illinois. You have earned this opportunity to have a new chapter in 
your life because you can look back and say, for 24 years, you served 
here in this great body and made this a better institution and made 
this a better country because of your service.
  Thank you, John, for this opportunity to get to know you so well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, although I was unable to join in 
person tonight, I want to lend my voice to the chorus of colleagues 
assembling to honor John Shimkus' service in Congress. I thank John for 
his friendship, and commitment to public service. I wish him nothing 
but health and happiness for himself and his family during his upcoming 
retirement from Congress.
  John came to Washington one term before I did. We had offices next to 
each other on the fifth floor of the Cannon Building. As most members 
and staff know, most of the elevators in Cannon do not go to the fifth 
floor, making those offices not the most desirable real estate. But 
John and I not only stayed there as Freshman members, but we stayed a 
few terms, enjoying the larger offices and the somewhat quieter halls. 
John and I, as well as our staff, got along well, especially Cathy 
Hurwit, my long time Chief of Staff and Craig Roberts, John's then and 
current Chief.
  Though there were issues on which John and I disagreed, we had the 
opportunity to work closely together on issues affecting our state. The 
Illinois Delegation had a tradition of monthly bipartisan lunches. The 
agendas focused on issues specific to Illinois. Often we would agree to 
support legislation, funding or projects that could help all our 
constituents and benefit our state. Illinois was one of the few 
delegations that was able to work so smoothly together, and John was a 
leader in that effort.
  John and I both earned positions on the prestigious Energy and 
Commerce Committee. I saw up close how passionately John fought for his 
beliefs and constituents. His tone was always positive, even as he 
disagreed with other members. I have enjoyed serving with him on the 
Committee all these years.
  John Shimkus is well liked on both sides of the aisle. Why? Because 
John Shimkus is a kind man, a smart man, and a gentleman. We have been 
able to debate without spite, collaborate, and sometimes find common 
ground. This is how collegiality and compromise work, and I wish we 
could bottle it and send it around the halls of Congress.
  John will be missed here. I hope he enjoys every extra moment he's 
earned with Karen, David, Joshua, and Daniel.

                          ____________________