[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL CAREER OF CONGRESSMAN BOB CLEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
friend, our colleague Bob Clement, who is completing a distinguished 
14-year career in the House of Representatives. Bob and I both began 
our service after special elections in 1988, and we have served 
together on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I have had 
the chance to get to know his wife Mary and their children, and I wish 
them all the best as they begin this new phase of their lives.
  Bob Clement has upheld a fine family tradition of public service, 
following the example of his father, who served as Governor of 
Tennessee. Bob served in the Army and the Tennessee Army National 
guard, was elected to the Public Service Commission and later appointed 
by President Carter to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of 
Directors. After success in the private sector, he became president of 
Cumberland University. Bob carried all of these experiences to 
Congress, working hard on behalf of our nation's veterans, particularly 
on Gulf War Syndrome issues, and focusing on the transportation needs 
of the country. He served as co-chair of the House Education Caucus and 
passed legislation dealing with the increasing problem of identity 
theft.
  While his legislative accomplishments are substantial, Bob may be 
best remembered for the manner in which he achieved them. Ever the 
southern gentleman, Bob Clement has defined comity during an 
increasingly partisan era. He worked well across the aisle and I hope 
we can keep his collegial spirit alive despite his absence. In this 
way, Bob has truly left his mark on this institution, and it is without 
doubt a better place for his having been here.
  Mr. Speaker, I know all of our colleagues will join me in thanking 
Bob Clement for his friendship and his dedicated service to the United 
States of America. Knowing Bob, his long, exemplary career will not end 
here. I look forward to the next chapter.

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