[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20601]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       JOE SKEEN FEDERAL BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. WES WATKINS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 7, 2002

  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5427, the Joe 
Skeen Federal Building Designation Act, which names the federal 
building in Roswell, New Mexico after Joe Skeen.
  After over two decades serving in this House, Joe Skeen is retiring 
and heading back to his ranch in New Mexico. Joe Skeen has had a truly 
impressive career here in the U.S. House. He came to Congress as a 
write-in candidate, one of the few Members that have been elected in 
this manner. In 2001, Joe Skeen became the longest serving New Mexico 
House Member.
  I have had the honor of serving with Joe Skeen through most of his 
career, and I have had the pleasure of working with him on the 
Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. He has been stalwart in 
protecting private property rights for our citizens, and understands 
the needs for striking a balance between conservation efforts and for 
supporting local economies. Joe Skeen is a friend to both farmers and 
ranchers, and has been a champion to the lamb and wool industry.
  In his 22 years in the House, Joe Skeen has been one of the most 
ardent supporters of states' rights. He has kept the mind set that 
those closest to the people make the best decisions on how to use 
federal dollars. He has worked diligently to improve business 
development in southern New Mexico by incorporating private industry, 
various federal agencies and New Mexico's institutions of higher 
learning into partnerships. Such examples of this can be seen in the 
establishment of the International Law Enforcement Academy in Roswell, 
and the landmine detection and disarming program and the New Mexico 
Institute of Technology.
  One can say that Joe Skeen never backed away from something that was 
important to him and his home. We saw this when he was instrumental in 
overturning the newly acquired line-item veto of President Clinton, 
which threatened 38 defense projects. He showed us his strength again 
in his work to repeal the 55 mile-per-hour federal speed limit, and the 
development and implementation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in 
Carlsbad, New Mexico--the first repository for defense waste in the 
nation.
  He's been the ``Top Shepard'' for his flock and I am sure that the 
``Top Shepard on High'' will keep a watchful eye over him as he heads 
back to his home in New Mexico. Good luck Joe and God bless you. You 
will be missed.

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