[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23]
[House]
[Page 32133]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BARBER CONABLE

  (Mr. LEACH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness I would like to formally 
report to the House the passing of one of our most distinguished 
Members of the 20th century, Barber Conable of New York.
  Barber retired from the House over a decade ago, so many current 
Members are not familiar with Barber except by his reputation.
  Let me just stress that Barber Conable was the quintessential public 
servant. In Congress he was an expert on all matters of taxation. He 
led the Republican Party on the Committee on Ways and Means, rising to 
be the ranking member. He was identified with particular issues such as 
reductions in capital gains, also for the development of revenue 
sharing.
  Prior to serving in the Congress, he was in the United States 
Military, having served in both World War II and the Korean conflict, 
and he rose to the rank of Colonel. After leaving the Congress of the 
United States, where he, by the way, had been a close friend of the 
former President of the United States, George Bush, he was appointed to 
head the World Bank. He came to be known as a leader of the bank as 
interested for the world environment as well as for world economic 
growth.
  All of us in life have been privileged to have mentors. I would just 
simply say in this body this Member never considered anyone more a 
model legislator and mentor than Barber Conable. He was simply the most 
decent, the most thoughtful, the most intelligent, and the least 
political individual I have served with.
  To his wife, Charlotte, and family, I know I speak for many Members 
who are friends and staff on this Hill in extending our shared grief 
and best wishes.

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