[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 27579]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE DAVID E. BONIOR, MEMBER OF CONGRESS

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I guess I did not think any Members looked at 
their screens in the office, at least after we adjourn, but I too was 
looking at the screen and I saw the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Neal) come and say that he was looking at his screen and saw that there 
was a program, so to speak, being held. I fussed at my scheduler, who 
was out to lunch, because I did not know about this, but I am so glad 
that I was listening.
  I too want to simply add to what has already been said about a person 
that I have just respected for as long as I have been here in the 
House. I think that first connection, as I am from the 10th 
Congressional District too, of New Jersey, but I knew there had to be 
something good about the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior). We had 
the same number. And then looking at his high school achievements, I 
tried to play a little ball and I see where Dave was a quarterback on 
the championship team at the Catholic school he attended and earned a 
scholarship to college and just worked his way through the military.
  But the issue that Dave has really dealt with, I recall when I was in 
county government many years ago, we talked about a ``bottle bill,'' 
and it was because Dave sort of pushed that environmental concern ahead 
many years ago when he was in government in Michigan's State 
legislature. We talked about environmental protection for PCBs, in that 
Dave was always worrying about people who might be afflicted by these 
diseases that many times went unnoticed because the big guys sort of 
kept things quiet, even though they knew they were injurious to the 
health of people, and it was Dave who talked about these birth defects 
that were being created.
  The statement of ``let us separate the warrior from the war,'' taking 
the Vietnam era veterans and separating them from an unpopular war, and 
as people turned their backs, I think it was a disgrace the way Vietnam 
veterans were treated; but Dave talked about that and sort of raised 
the issue, along with the whole question of the Nicaragua Contras in El 
Salvador, those brutal death squads, when we traveled down there 
together. It was Dave always on the side of things that were for 
justice, for those who were down and out, the HOPE scholarships and 
increasing Pell grants, increasing minimum wage. These are the areas, 
the SAVE Act, which really went to help guidance counselors.
  So I am just proud to say that I know Dave. I had the opportunity to 
vote in 1991, and there was not even a question when he ran for his 
current position. I happen to pick winners in that, even in the new one 
too, Dave; so one of my strengths in Congress is that I know how to 
pick the winners. It does not say much about me, but it does say that 
maybe I have good judgment.
  I do wish the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior) well. I appreciate 
the courage that he takes when there are difficult votes to give, 
unpopular votes. We have talked about many of these issues. I think 
some of the things that we have talked about in the past, now others 
are seeing that there are issues that we should have been talking about 
all along which might have made a difference in where we are today.
  It has been my pleasure to know you.
  Mr. Speaker, as we draw this, what has turned into a Special Order, 
to a conclusion, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Watt).
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding. I could not resist the opportunity to come over and say how 
much my good friend, David Bonior, has meant to me in my service in the 
U.S. House of Representatives. I came to Congress in January of 1993, 
and David was certainly one of the people who took me under his wing 
and taught me the process. He is a student of parliamentary procedure, 
and we had a little group called the parliamentarian group that we used 
to use, sometimes to our substantive advantage and sometimes to the 
chaos of the House, but when we wanted to try to get things accomplish 
that the leadership would not voluntarily accomplish.
  It has been a great pleasure for me to serve with David Bonior. He 
has certainly been at the top of the list of principal people who have 
served in this House with strong beliefs in, and willingness to fight 
for, working people and the things that he believes in. This House is 
going to miss him immensely and wish him godspeed and the very best in 
the future.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield time to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi).
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for 
our excellent words about our colleague.
  In conclusion, I would like to thank all of our colleagues for 
coming. This was intended to be 5 minutes. Our phone is ringing off the 
hook in the office saying, why did you not tell us that this was going 
to happen, so we will need many more days, Mr. Speaker, to accommodate 
the words that people want to say about the greatness of David Bonior. 
I thank him for the vision with which he has led us, with his 
knowledge, with his experience, with his integrity. Every one of us who 
serves in this body has a great privilege to do so. One of our greatest 
privileges, though, is to have called David Bonior colleague.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, if many of us had our way, Dave Bonior would 
never leave this House. No one can or would begrudge a man of Dave's 
multiple talents another high office, as Governor of Michigan, or deny 
the people of Michigan the extraordinary leadership he will bring. Yet, 
the place Dave has carved out here in public service to his district, 
his state, and his country is an unique as it is lasting and 
unforgettable.
  Dave is a modest man who possesses large personal gifts. You can bet, 
therefore, that he is embarrassed by the spontaneous, maximum praise 
usually reserved for eulogies that is coming forward for him today. 
But, Dave is going to have to grin, or blush, and bear it.
  Dave Bonior has managed to lead the Democrats on issues when he 
agreed and when he did not by using his good head without ever losing 
his own heart and soul on issues of principle to him and his own 
constituents. Where Dave got his bewildering combination of great calm 
and fierce determination I cannot say. Perhaps that kind of versatility 
is honed in the success Dave has had in two very different games, 
basketball, and football.
  The hallmark of the game Dave played in the House was fairness, 
strategic skill, and devotion to principle. I am personally grateful 
for Dave's strong support and action when the Democratic House voted to 
allow a vote in the Committee of the Whole for the people of the 
District of Columbia, the first time District residents who are second 
per capita in Federal income taxes have ever had a vote on the House 
floor since the Nation was founded. Members of every variety can quote 
countless examples of thoughtful, critical support for their districts 
or their issues Dave has gathered. However, the affection and respect 
for Dave is not centered in mere individual gratitude but fundamentally 
in the way he brought the best of this institution to bear.
  Dave Bonior's tenure as a member of Congress from Michigan and as 
whip has prepared him well to be Michigan's next Governor. Between 
these two roles, Dave has shown a mastery of both executive and 
legislative skills. Add this unique bonus to Dave's extraordinary 
personal qualities, and the people of Michigan are guaranteed to 
continue to get from Dave what they certainly deserve but much more 
than they bargained for.

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