[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24691-24692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO GOV. LAWTON MAINO CHILES, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute and honor 
the life and legacy of Governor Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr., on the 10th 
anniversary of his death. Throughout his 40 years of public service, 
Governor Chiles was committed to the betterment of Florida's children 
and families, as well as healthcare for all. As he stated in his 1997 
State of the State Address, ``To be a successful State, we must nurture 
successful children.''
  Governor Chiles' political career, which began in 1958 with his 
election to the Florida House of Representatives, was proven to be 
successful when he would continue to have the distinction of never 
losing an election. Governor Chiles was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1970 for the term commencing January 3, 1971, and was 
reelected in 1976 and again in 1982. He served as chairman of the 
Senate Budget Committee during the Reagan years, as well as chairman of 
the Special Committee on Aging and the Committee on the Budget. During 
his 1970 U.S. Senate campaign, Chiles became known as ``Walkin' 
Lawton'' after a 91-day walk across Florida from Pensacola to Key West.
  His 1,003 mile walk across Florida not only displayed his utmost 
devotion to his home State, but his dedication to Medicaid reform 
initiatives such as the Women, Infants and Children, WIC, food program 
and increased funding for prenatal care and childhood immunizations 
while serving his three terms in the U.S. Senate proved that he was 
truly a man of the people.
  In 1990, Governor Chiles was elected the 41st Governor of Florida. He 
was the first Democratic governor in State history to have a 
Republican-controlled legislature. A fourth generation Floridian, 
Chiles continued to advocate health coverage for the uninsured in 
Florida, the promotion of adoption, raising standards for education, 
and fighting back against big tobacco. Additionally, he fought for the 
creation of regional healthcare alliances throughout the State. The 
alliances allowed small businesses to pool their healthcare dollars and 
broaden coverage while saving money. He also created the Florida 
Department of Elder Affairs and the Florida Healthy Start program.
  The Governor and First Lady Rhea Chiles have four children: Tandy 
Chiles Barrett, Lawton (Bud) Chiles III, Ed Chiles and Rhea Chiles.
  On this 10th anniversary of Governor Chiles' passing, let us remember 
him for his outstanding public service, his commitment to children and 
families, his dedication to his State and country, and his 
contributions to our Nation's history. Governor Chiles once said, ``I 
didn't come to stay. I came to make a difference.'' He truly made a 
difference, and this proves to be remarkably consistent and in tune 
with his original vision.

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