[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25427-25428]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                SALUTE TO DEPARTING TEXAS HOUSE MEMBERS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay 
tribute to seven of Texas' finest public servants, seven men who have 
served our country, their native State, and their congressional 
districts with great honor and distinction over the years.
  I am talking about Representatives Chris Bell, Ciro Rodriguez, Jim 
Turner, Martin Frost, Charles Stenholm, Nick Lampson and Max Sandlin.
  Congressman Martin Frost is one of Texas' true giants, a man who has 
served this House and the people of the 24th District of Texas with 
great dignity for 26 years.
  Martin is truly a classic. His hard work and dedication are 
legendary. Martin's reputation as a hard-working, fair, and effective 
Representative is well known and well deserved. It was under his 
guidance that we saw the passage of the Amber Alert. This legislation 
was authored by Congressman Frost in response to the kidnapping and 
murder of a nine-year- old girl from Arlington, Texas. His bill went on 
to create a ``Two Strikes'' law mandating life in prison after a second 
sex offense against a child.

[[Page 25428]]

  Congressman Frost has a long record of leadership in Congress, 
bringing common sense and a practical approach to a variety of senior 
positions. As chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 1999 until 
January 2003, and later as a Ranking Democratic Member of the House 
Rules Committee, Martin has crafted far-reaching and landmark 
legislation that will leave a lasting imprint on America's landscape 
and people.
  Mr. Speaker, I also join with my fellow colleagues in recognizing the 
many accomplishments of Charlie Stenholm who has served this body well 
for 25 years. His advocacy for this Nation's Agricultural community and 
fiscal policy has been tireless. Named ``the spiritual godfather of 
fiscal austerity,'' Stenholm has consistently fought for fiscal 
responsibility in the federal budget. A farmer, a third generation 
Texan, a father, a very proud grandfather--Congressman Charlie Stenholm 
has effectively served the 17th Congressional district of Texas with 
distinction.
  Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to pay tribute to my friend and 
colleague, Ciro Rodriguez. He has demonstrated 7 years of exemplary 
service in this House and an extensive record of promoting the rights 
and benefits of the more than 50,000 veterans in the 28th District who 
answered the call to serve. Congressman Rodriguez worked closely with 
local community leaders on a range of issues to promote the interests 
of the many counties, cities, towns and residents within his 
congressional district. I am also grateful to Ciro for his work in 
helping me to fight for civil rights for minorities in this country.
  My other colleague, Nick Lampson took office to represent the 9th 
Congressional District in 1997. This former high school science 
teacher, served as the Ranking Member of the Science Committee's 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and is a strong advocate for the 
Johnson Space Center and the entire NASA manned space program. He also 
served with me on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 
where he fought for federal highway construction and repair funds, and 
the improvement of Houston and Southeast Texas airport facilities. His 
leadership has been invaluable to the committee. I am proud to call him 
my friend. I join with the House in expressing my sadness at his 
departure and my best wishes for success in all of his future 
endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, Max A. Sandlin was elected to Congress in 1996. As a 
Member of the Ways and Means Committee Max's main concern for the needs 
of older Americans was genuine and his dedication to improve rural 
education was and continues to be vitally important to all Americans. 
His constituents will miss his dedication, and so will the Members of 
this House.
  My other colleague from Texas, Chris Bell represented our State on 
the Financial Services Committee. Chris has worked tireless on issues 
of importance to Texas residents. Chris is a kind and caring loving 
being and a good legislator. He has served Texas' Twenty Fifth District 
with distinction.
  Another House Member I find it hard to say goodbye to is Jim Turner. 
He represents the good people in the 2nd District of Texas, and he is 
the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. 
Before, he was elected to Congress he served in the Texas Senate with 
me. In the Texas Senate, he was recognized as an outstanding legislator 
by a number of statewide organizations for his leadership in health 
care, criminal justice, education and on behalf of Texas children. He 
also served in the Texas House for 10 years. As the Ranking Member of 
the House Select Committee on Homeland Security and Terrorism 
Subcommittee, Jim worked hard to protect the safety and security of the 
American people in the war on terrorism. In addition, his work in 
Congress focused on promoting economic development and forestry in East 
Texas. He continues to work for senior citizens through his sponsorship 
of legislation to lower prescription drug costs.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I bid farewell to my 
friends and colleagues. However, I know in my heart that their 
dedication to the American people will not end here. I wish them the 
best for their future endeavors and with whatever challenges may lay 
ahead.

                          ____________________