[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2717]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        CONGRESSMAN BILL THOMAS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, before closing, I am going to make a brief 
comment--and there will be a lot more to say later in the year--on my 
friend and colleague Chairman Bill Thomas in the House of 
Representatives.
  He has an old saying: ``I came here to make law.'' Well, when he 
retires at the end of his 14th term serving the 22nd District of 
California, Chairman Thomas will be able to look back on an illustrious 
public career that not only made law but made history.
  Bill Thomas is smart. He is tenacious. He is steeped in the 
traditions of the House. He knows an awful lot about the traditions in 
the Senate as well. He has worked hard for over 25 years to deliver 
meaningful solutions to the American people.
  As chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, the chairman 
has authored and managed some of the most significant legislation to 
come before the House. His skillful leadership has led to major 
victories in reducing trade barriers, cutting taxes, stimulating the 
economy, and protecting the interests of all Americans.
  During the Medicare modernization debate, I spent 6 months in the 
chairman's Capitol office hammering out intricate, complex, tough, 
challenging policy details. I think it is fair to say that in those 6 
months I had more than my lifetime's share of pistachios, which he 
always had sitting on that table and which habitually you could not 
help but dive into, as we talked about those many issues.
  A former political science professor, he is known on both sides of 
the aisle for his keen intellect and also his political savvy. He is 
known for what has been called his ``singular personality.''
  Over the years, he has been, at times, passionate; he has been 
emotional; he has been outspoken; he has been headstrong--all qualities 
that have propelled him even beyond the national stage.
  He leaves behind a huge legacy, a storied legacy. And his presence 
will be missed when he retires.
  Back in 1995, Chairman Bill Thomas told the Los Angeles Times:

       People say I'm not as touchy feely as I should be. But I 
     never ran for the job to be touchy feely.

  I salute the chairman for his commitment to principle and his 
unflagging service to his country.
  I wish him and his lovely wife Sharon all the best as they embark on 
the journey ahead.
  I had the opportunity to meet with him at the end of last week, and 
we talked about the future, we talked about the short-term future. He 
made it very clear he has a lot to do over the next several months 
right here in the Congress.

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