[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21875-21876]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JERRY WELLER AND THE HONORABLE RAY LAHOOD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, it is a real honor for me to be here with 
my colleagues from Illinois to honor two men who have really served 
admirably and have brought great pride to the Land of Lincoln.
  The first is Congressman Jerry Weller who I got to know in the 
Illinois House of Representatives, and I served for one term with 
Congressman Weller. When he was in the State House of Representatives, 
he had a reputation of somebody who knew how to come back.
  And he got involved in a tough election, and I won't drag you all 
through the weeds of that tough election, but he got dealt a tough blow 
in that many people thought he fairly won that election, but for a 
whole host of political reasons, he wasn't seated in that election. Do 
you know what? Rather than going home and say, oh, woe is me, Jerry 
Weller came back and he went out and he campaigned, and he earned the 
confidence of the voters of that district. He earned the confidence of 
his neighbors in Morris, Illinois, and he came back, and he was there 
to greet me when I first went to the House of Representatives in 1992.
  Then Jerry Weller was a part of the historic class of 1994 that came 
in, and as has been previously mentioned by Mr. Manzullo and Mr. 
Shimkus, he was the person who focused in on repealing that marriage 
penalty, and I remember him talking about that to me. I remember him 
focusing on that. I remember reading about Jerry Weller pursuing that 
and pursuing that and pursuing that, and as we all know, it is a very 
difficult thing to pass a major piece of landmark legislation like 
that. There's a lot of exit ramps around here for good ideas. There's a 
lot of trap doors for good ideas. But Jerry Weller was tenacious and he 
was able to put together the coalitions. He was focused and he got that 
done, and today, millions of Americans have fundamentally benefited 
because of his tenacity and the political savvy with which he moved 
that through the House and ultimately through the Congress.

[[Page 21876]]

  He had other successes as well, and that was the transformation of 
the Joliet arsenal in Illinois, and that was property that had not it 
been for his leadership in his district, it could have essentially gone 
by the wayside. But because he was tenacious and he was focused, it's 
been turned into a good thing.
  So Jerry Weller, we are going to miss you, and it is with regret that 
we're here tonight. But it is with a great deal of hope and optimism 
that we'll see you and your tenacity and the glint in your eye.
  The other person that we're here to honor is also another member of 
that class, and that is Congressman Ray LaHood. Congressman LaHood has 
been described by Mr. Shimkus as a man of the House, and I kind of feel 
like he has the demeanor of sort of Dad coming home. When he would be 
in the Chair and the House would be raucous and a little bit spunky, he 
would gavel that down, and he was entrusted with the gavel during some 
of the most historic times.
  And he is a man of history because he serves in the same seat that 
Abraham Lincoln served in. He's from the same hometown as another 
Illinois great, that is, Everett Dirksen. He served also at the side of 
Bob Michel, and these are great Illinoisans.
  I'm pleased that now the Easter Seals of Peoria, Illinois, has chosen 
to honor Congressman LaHood and his bride by setting up the Ray and 
Kathy LaHood House for Children with Special Needs.
  I think it's indicative of the type of person that he is, the type of 
integrity, the directness with which he interacts with his colleagues, 
and I know that that's great encouragement not only to me but I know 
it's great encouragement and a great example for all Americans.
  So for these two men who have chosen to sacrifice so greatly and 
serve our State so well, I can tell you, Madam Speaker, that it is with 
a great deal of pride that I say it's been an honor to serve with 
Congressman Weller. It's been an honor to serve with Congressman 
LaHood, and I look forward to our paths crossing many, many times in 
the future.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the 
incredible service of my very good friend Ray LaHood. I have had the 
privilege of serving alongside him as a Member of the Conference and as 
an Appropriator.
  I first met Ray when he was a young staffer for Bob Michel. He 
performed invaluable service in helping Bob be a great leader. Ray's 
son Darin was looking for work and it was a pleasure to bring him into 
the extended Lewis family as a part of my personal office. With my 
encouragement, Darin went on to law school as an attorney in Nevada. I 
know I share Ray's pride as Darin has returned home to Illinois to run 
for Peoria County State's Attorney.
  Ray is a consensus-builder and a common-sense legislator and has 
distinguished himself as a champion of this great institution. 
Throughout his time here he has fought vigorously to ensure the Capitol 
stays the ``people's house'' and that it remains a beacon for motivated 
and service-minded young people.
  I know his constituents appreciate his selfless service. His efforts 
are a testament to the highest level of commitment an individual can 
demonstrate on behalf of others. I join my colleagues in wishing Ray, 
Kathy, and his family well.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring the distinguished career of Jerry Weller, who will 
be retiring at the end of the 110th Congress. I wish to express my 
appreciation for his service to our country and the state of Illinois.
  Jerry was elected to Congress in 1994 as the representative of the 
11th District of Illinois. He began his public service career working 
as a Congressional and Administration aide, followed by three terms in 
the Illinois General Assembly. He has used his seat on the Ways and 
Means Committee to make a strong, positive difference for families in 
Illinois and throughout the United States.
  Jerry has worked on a number of initiatives important to Illinois' 
families, including his efforts to enhance Illinois' infrastructure, 
establish and expand veterans' outpatient clinics, and protect children 
from on-line predators. Jerry was instrumental in passing legislation 
to redevelop the Joliet Arsenal in 1995, which created thousands of 
union jobs by establishing North America's largest intermodal truck, 
rail, and freight facility. He is a tireless advocate for the needs of 
his constituents and his country.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Congressman Weller for his years of dedicated service 
to this body and to the people of Illinois. I wish Jerry and his family 
the very best in the future.

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