[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24218-24219]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE DONALD MITCHELL

  (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Donald J. Mitchell passed 
away on Saturday, September 27, 2003. He is gone, but his life's work 
and patriotism will never be forgotten.
  The life of Donald Mitchell is that of an all-American patriot. In 
times of war, he served his country as a carrier-based naval aviator in 
World War II and as a flight instructor during the Korean War.
  In times of peace, he served his community. He was an optometrist by 
profession, but a public servant at heart as a Herkimer town councilman 
from 1954 to 1957, as mayor of the village from 1957 to 1960. From 1964 
to 1972, during times of great change, he served as a New York State 
Assemblyman. Always a leader, he was there too as the majority whip. 
And from 1972 to 1982, during

[[Page 24219]]

times of great debate and political uncertainty, he served his country 
once again as one of the most effective members of this great 
institution, the people's House.
  While in Congress, he was progressive and steady. He always took the 
high road and served his constituents with honor. I should know. During 
those 7 years, I proudly served as a member of Congressman Don 
Mitchell's staff. And after his retirement, I was elected to the seat 
he held.
  For me, he was always a role model. Every day since, I have made it 
my goal as Representative Mitchell's successor in Congress to serve my 
constituents with the honor and dignity that Don Mitchell brought to 
the job. Don Mitchell left an indelible mark on the fabric of our 
society.

                          ____________________