[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15054]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN DOUG BEREUTER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 8, 2004

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, during my entire 24 years in Congress, it 
has been my great pleasure to serve with my good friend and colleague 
from Nebraska, Congressman Doug Bereuter. As Doug is serving his last 
term in the House before assuming the Presidency of the Asia 
Foundation, I would like to take a few moments to share my thoughts on 
such an exceptional Member of Congress.
  For the past 26 years in Congress, Doug has been a highly respected 
expert on American foreign policy, and has developed an immense network 
of national and international leaders who seek out his views on the 
global issues facing us today. For the more than two decades that we 
have served together on the International Relations Committee, Doug has 
been rewarded with increasingly important leadership roles. He served 
as Ranking Minority Member when I was serving as Chair of the 
Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and 
Human Rights in the early 1990s. A few years later, I served as Ranking 
Minority Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific when Doug 
served as Chair.
  Doug played a critical role in the key foreign policy debates in the 
International Relations Committee, always fighting for the responsible, 
internationalist position on important global issues. Colleagues on the 
Committee relied upon Doug because they knew he had done his homework, 
paid attention to the details, and consulted with the world's leading 
experts before pursuing an initiative. Doug has always been, and will 
continue to be, an invaluable resource for other Members of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, Doug's influence on American foreign policy, however, 
far transcends his important role in the International Relations 
Committee. Since 1986, Doug has served as a member of the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly, which is the inter-parliamentary organization 
of legislators from the member countries of the NATO Alliance as well 
as Association NATO Members. Just two years ago, Doug was elected 
President of that important body--a measure of the high respect world 
leaders have for him. In that capacity he has played an important role 
in the NATO enlargement process. He personally visited every new member 
state and worked to assist these countries make the transition. In this 
position, Doug has brought credit, not only to himself, but to all of 
us who serve in the United States Congress.
  Doug has also worked tirelessly to involve other Members of Congress 
in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He lobbied other NATO 
parliamentarians to ensure that at least three other U.S. Members were 
able to hold leadership roles in that body. CODELs to these meetings 
always included some 10-15 Members who were well prepared and involved, 
thanks in part to Doug's personal involvement and encouragement.
  Doug has also been exceptionally loyal to his staff, many of whom 
have worked with him for decades. This is a tribute to his kindness, 
consideration and respect of others. And as a result, Doug has 
maintained one of the most effective and well connected staffs on 
Capitol Hill.
  Doug and Louise will be greatly missed here in Washington, but we are 
pleased to learn that he will be residing in the Bay Area and leading 
an exceptionally-important institution, the Asia Foundation. We hope to 
continue our friendship and working relationship as he embarks on this 
new venture. Annette and I both wish him and Louise well.