[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17046-17054]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING CONGRESSMAN LEONARD BOSWELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 5, 2011, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham) is recognized for 
60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous materials for the Record on the topic of my Special 
Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?

[[Page 17047]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, those of us from Iowa and elsewhere would 
like to recognize today the service of my fellow Iowan, Congressman 
Leonard Boswell, who will be leaving the House at the adjournment of 
this Congress.
  I first want to thank him for his 20 years of service to our great 
Nation in the U.S. Army. No one has done more to secure our freedom and 
the promise of a bright future than our veterans and military 
personnel. I know that Leonard counts his efforts to secure additional 
support for military families and veterans among his most meaningful 
achievements. I also want to recognize the gentleman from Iowa for his 
time in public service as a legislator. His distinguished career traces 
back to the Iowa State Senate, where he once served as president of 
that body.
  Although we haven't always agreed on the issues before us, Leonard's 
relationships with his fellow Members have enabled him to work with 
colleagues of all political stripes. His work on behalf of his 
constituents has exemplified what Iowans expect of their 
Representatives in Congress--those who are approachable, thoughtful, 
and hardworking.
  I appreciate the many years of service Leonard Boswell has provided 
to our home State of Iowa and its people. I know that he will continue 
to serve his fellow Iowans faithfully beyond the conclusion of this 
Congress--and in that, I truly wish him and his family the very, very 
best.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to my remarks today, I asked Iowans to pay 
tribute to Leonard by providing their comments for submission into the 
Congressional Record. We do not have the luxury of time to read the 
numerous notes and well-wishes that came in, but I would like to 
highlight a few of those at this time.
  Iowa Governor Terry Branstad sent the following:

       I commend Congressman Leonard Boswell for his longtime 
     dedication to public service. His selfless service to others 
     has been demonstrated in many ways--as an officer in the 
     United States Army, as president of the Iowa Senate, and as a 
     Congressman from Iowa. Congressman Boswell should be proud of 
     his public service accomplishments and for his personal 
     achievements as a husband, father, and grandfather. I am 
     heartened by Iowans like Congressman Boswell who have spent a 
     lifetime serving the State of Iowa. We thank him for his 
     service.

  Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley wrote:

       Representative Boswell has worked hard to represent his 
     constituents. He did his job very well. While we disagreed 
     politically, we never had a personal disagreement. We found 
     plenty of common ground. I'll miss his camaraderie around 
     Congress, but I have no doubt we'll run across each other 
     because Representative Boswell is unlikely to avoid public 
     service, which has been his calling for so long.
       Thank you for your service, Representative Boswell.

  Nancy Williams, president of AIB College of Business in Des Moines, 
wrote:

       I wish to recognize and thank Congressman Boswell for his 
     dedication to our country, to Iowa, and to his constituents. 
     He has changed our world, our country, and our State with his 
     personal service for so many years. Every life has a great 
     purpose, and Congressman Boswell has had a wonderful calling 
     for his. I will wait in anticipation to see what he chooses 
     to do next. I just cannot thank him enough.

  Ken Sagar, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, wrote:

       Congressman Boswell was a Representative who would take the 
     time to listen to Iowans. He paid special care and attention 
     to all veterans. He was a friend of working people. When home 
     visiting, he would make an effort to meet with the labor 
     leaders in the State. He spent time listening to their 
     concerns and would give honest answers on his positions, not 
     always to the liking of the unions, but always honest and up 
     front.

  Then Jon Murphy, director of government affairs at PolicyWorks, sums 
up the assurances we all have that Leonard will continue to serve his 
State and Nation:

       I would like to thank Congressman Boswell not only for his 
     support of me, personally, but also for his service to our 
     country. As a soldier and statesman, there are few people who 
     have given more of themselves to our Nation. I wish him and 
     Dody well as they move forward to their next adventure in 
     life. I would ask them to take some time and get some rest, 
     but I know that won't happen. That's not the Boswell way.

  Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would like to recognize the gentleman 
from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Thank you, my colleague Tom Latham from Iowa.
  This is my sixth year here in Congress. I'm just finishing it up, but 
this is only the third time that I've actually come to the floor to 
speak during Special Orders. That's how important it is for me to do 
this. The first time was when I was arguing for Boeing to get the 
tanker deal, when that was a big issue before our country. The second 
time was when I was pushing hard to make sure that the STOCK Act was 
passed so that Members could not trade on insider knowledge. Now I'm 
here for my good friend Leonard Boswell. It's not that I don't come to 
the floor very much--I do speak for bills, what have you--but not 
during Special Orders. This is only the third time, and it's with very 
good reason.
  I want to note at the outset here, too, how many Members of the Iowa 
delegation are here, including a former Member, Jim Nussle.
  It is really fantastic that you're here today, Jim. This is really an 
honor for Leonard. To think that you're here is just absolutely very 
special.
  When you say ``Special Orders,'' Mr. Speaker, it applies in this 
case.
  I didn't know Leonard Boswell very well when I first got elected in 
2006. I knew him but not very well. I was not an elected official 
before I got elected in 2006, but I'd been involved in Democratic Party 
politics for a number of years in helping other folks get elected. I 
think it's fair to say that, when I got elected, neither Leonard nor 
I--and I think he would say this, I think he would admit this--had any 
idea what good friends we would become over the years.
  Leonard has been very helpful to me in sort of helping me navigate 
the ways of this Chamber, the ways of Washington, the ways of 
Congress--something that, I think, everybody knows is a challenge. 
Whether you've been in the State legislature or in any kind of 
legislative body prior to coming to the Congress, it is a challenge to 
get to know how to operate in this environment. Leonard has been very, 
very good for me, and I appreciate everything he has done.
  I could talk about his military service and all of these other things 
that Congressman Latham just mentioned, but I'm not going to go through 
that except to say that I'm on Armed Services. I've never served in the 
military myself. I have two marine children with whom we're going to be 
spending Christmas again this year. No matter what the Congress decides 
to do and what the President and Speaker Boehner decide to do, we're 
with them to honor them and to honor our military this Christmas. 
Leonard has a distinguished past in the military, and there is 
absolutely no doubt about that.
  There is one other thing I'll say about Leonard Boswell. We talked 
about a lot of us being from Iowa, but I often refer to Leonard Boswell 
as being ``of'' Iowa. He's an Iowan true and true in every possible 
way, and I think those of us who are from Iowa know exactly what I'm 
talking about. The rest of you, I'll explain it to you at some point if 
you so desire, but it is very important that Leonard Boswell is ``of'' 
Iowa.
  I've had a wonderful time serving with him these 6 years. We're not 
going to lose touch. I do have six of his former counties, including 
his home county of Decatur, and I look forward to staying in touch with 
him and getting more advice from Leonard as we go forward. He is a font 
of wisdom and advice for those of us who need it here in this body.
  Thank you very much for having me, and thank you especially, 
Congressman Latham, for organizing this. I think that tells us 
something about what can happen if we put our minds to it on the larger 
issues of getting this country back on its feet. Thank you, Tom. I 
appreciate it.
  Thank you, Leonard Boswell, for your wonderful service.
  Mr. LATHAM. I thank the gentleman.
  I, too, want to recognize Congressman Nussle here on the floor in 
honor

[[Page 17048]]

of Congressman Boswell, and we have the distinguished minority whip, 
Mr. Hoyer.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend for yielding, and I'll be brief.
  I had the privilege many years ago to get on the telephone and call 
Leonard Boswell. Leonard Boswell was then presiding over the State 
senate. He tells the story about how his executive assistant came on 
the floor and said, ``There's a guy named Congressman Hoyer on the 
phone. Shall I tell him you'll call him back?''
  Fortunately, for me, President Boswell at the time said, ``No, I'll 
talk to him now.'' He turned the podium over to one of his colleagues, 
and came on the phone and talked to me.
  And I said, ``Senator, this is Steny Hoyer. I would very much like 
you to run for Congress. We think you'd be an excellent Member of 
Congress, we think you'd be a great candidate for Congress, and we 
think you could win this seat.''
  He said, ``Well, what does Mr. Gephardt think about that?''
  It so happened Dick was about 4 feet from me, so I said, ``Well, let 
me turn this over to him, and he'll tell you what he thinks about it.''
  Of course, he echoed my comments.

                              {time}  1250

  Now, I didn't know Leonard Boswell at the time, but I'd heard 
wonderful things about Leonard Boswell, not only about his skill as a 
legislator, but of his decency and his character as a human being; not 
only his experiences in war, but his service at home as a farmer, as a 
businessman, as a public representative and as a Senate leader in Iowa. 
And I want to say that nothing that has transpired over the years that 
he and I have served together in this body have disabused in any way 
the extraordinarily positive things that were told to me of Leonard 
Boswell and why I ought to ask him to come to the Congress of the 
United States.
  He has been a dear and close friend of mine every day he has served. 
He will remain a dear and close friend of mine until he and I pass from 
this Earth. He is a salt-of-the-Earth human being. He is someone that 
the American people, if they knew personally, would say is the kind of 
person they wanted representing them in the Congress of the United 
States; or, frankly, in any other body.
  Leonard Boswell, thank you. Thank you for serving our country so 
well, so courageously, so ably, so conscientiously with so much 
character and decency. You have brought a greater degree of civility 
and understanding to this institution. It is better for your service. 
Godspeed.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. LATHAM. I would now like to recognize the gentleman from Iowa, 
Congressman King.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. I thank the gentleman from Iowa for leading this 
discussion to have an opportunity to say some things about my friend, 
Leonard Boswell, across the floor.
  I have reflected on a number of things. In 1996, I aspired to run for 
the Iowa Senate. I got there just as Leonard Boswell was elected to 
come here to the United States Congress. I got to know a little bit 
about the area that he came from and traveled down to that area a good 
number of times. Little did I know that a few years later I would 
arrive here in this United States Congress, some 6 years later, 
representing not Congressman Boswell, not Lieutenant Colonel Boswell, 
but his cows.
  I have stopped a number of times and looked across the landscape and 
wondered what makes a man the man that he is. Coming from Iowa, 
especially rural Iowa and growing up in the hills like I did, and 
walking through those hills and working in that soil and having my 
hands on a lot of things that are the origins of new wealth, you 
understand what makes a man who he is when you see the landscape that 
he came from.
  And that landscape down there in Decatur County, it's a little hilly. 
It raises a lot of grass. We, where I come from, don't always think 
it's the best corn ground, but they're doing better down there with the 
new hybrids. Now I'm seeing the character of the man who served in this 
Congress these years, these 16 years, and served in the United States 
Army for I believe 20 years, the character of the man who took the 
controls of helicopters time after time as an assault helicopter pilot 
in Vietnam, was formed and shaped in the hills that today I have the 
privilege to represent and that feed those cows that wander out there 
in that pastureland and won't probably as often go down in that 
neighborhood to check on them, but I'm glad to know that Congressman 
Leonard Boswell will have some time to check on those cows because I 
know he loves them and takes care of them.
  I also had the privilege to go to Vietnam as Congressman Boswell was 
going back to Vietnam for the first time since the end of his second 
deployment there. And he asked me if I would sit in front behind the 
glass with him as we went all around Vietnam, through Saigon, out 
through the streets of Saigon, out into the countryside, out on a boat 
on the Mekong River. And we looked at how the country had changed, how 
the population of Saigon had gone from 1 million to 7 million during 
that interim period of time since Leonard so nobly, bravely, and 
patriotically flew over that landscape. Everybody that he served with 
didn't come back, but more people came back because of Leonard Boswell, 
and I know that.
  I heard some of those stories because I pulled a few of them out; but 
it is not something that he's brought out front, not something he's 
worn on his sleeve, as something within the character of the man that 
sits here with us today. It's part of the character of the man who 
served Iowans and Americans in the United States Congress these 16 
years.
  For this time I have had the privilege to serve with him, a decade 
for me, I'm grateful for those times. We've always been able to work 
together. We served on the Ag Committee together all of that time. 
There has been a certain communication that has gone on that was often 
unspoken even in committee when we'd look over across at each other, 
and somehow Leonard Boswell would know what I was thinking and I think 
I knew what he was thinking. And that worked pretty good for Iowans, 
and it worked pretty good for Americans, and it worked pretty good for 
agriculture.
  So I congratulate you, Leonard Boswell, on your service to our 
country all of these years. It's been a stellar career, and it's not 
over. There's a future also of service that I know will continue every 
day, and I certainly will keep you in my prayers and in our memories 
here as I thank you for serving the United States of America and 
serving here in the United States Congress and serving Iowans the way 
that you have.
  Mr. LATHAM. I thank the gentleman.
  I would like to recognize the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Braley).
  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for 
organizing this well-deserved tribute to my friend, my colleague, my 
mentor, and my hero, Leonard Boswell.
  Now, we've been talking about how Leonard is Iowa through and 
through. But, Leonard, the secret is out: you were born in Missouri. 
That was a great day for America, but I think it has also been part of 
shaping the person you are because you know that we are much more than 
the State we come from, the region we come from; and everything about 
your life of public service has reflected that.
  Leonard grew up on farms in both Ringgold and Decatur Counties and, 
amazingly, was drafted into the Army on his 22nd birthday. Quite a 
birthday present.
  He served with distinction for 20 years, but the people who know him 
best can tell you that one of the things that made Leonard Boswell 
unique was he went from a draftee serving at the lowest levels of the 
Army, to being encouraged to go to officer candidate school. What 
happens when you get commissioned, you actually have to resign from the 
United States Army in order to be commissioned. Leonard did that and 
was commissioned as a second lieutenant on February 19, 1957. It seems 
like a long time ago.

[[Page 17049]]

  After his commissioning as an officer, you've heard how Leonard 
served two tours as a helicopter assault pilot in Vietnam. Leonard, I 
know from doing a lot of interviews with Vietnam veterans for the 
Library of Congress's oral history project that everyone remembers that 
first day when they arrived in Vietnam. And for you, that was on April 
12, 1965. I'm sure that you can tell us the sights, the sounds, the 
smells, the feelings you had when you arrived there.
  One of the things that Leonard never talks about because he's too 
modest of a person is the fact that he was awarded not one but two 
Distinguished Flying Crosses for his bravery and heroism serving our 
country in Vietnam. On November 1, 1968, on his second tour of duty, 
Leonard became the assault helicopter company commander for the 336, 
and led that unit with distinction until he finally retired and came 
back to the State that he loved and started pursuing other things.
  But Leonard has always been about service to country, service to 
family, and service to his faith. So when an opportunity presented 
itself, he ran for office in Iowa. He was elected to the Iowa Senate, 
became senate president in Iowa in 1992, and then continued his career 
here, and we've heard the minority whip talk about how that all came 
about. And we're so glad that it did.
  Leonard has always been a strong advocate for military families. He 
has a lot of proud achievements in this body. But, Leonard, your 
proudest moment was when the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act was 
passed in the House, passed in the Senate, and signed into law by the 
President. And the reason why that was so meaningful to me personally 
is I knew Joshua Omvig's family long before he took his life.

                              {time}  1300

  And for you to take up that cause and to give voice to the thousands 
of Americans who were losing loved ones to suicide who had served this 
country with honor and distinction was the cause you were meant to 
lead. And to me, that day when we passed the bill on the House floor 
was one of the highlights of my career in Congress, because one 
miraculous thing happened that day.
  After you stood and talked about why we needed to do more for 
veterans like Josh Omvig to help them before they got to that point of 
taking their own lives, an extraordinary thing happened. After you 
spoke, Members on both sides of the aisle came down to the well and 
told the stories of constituents from their district who did the same 
thing that Josh Omvig did and put a human face on this crisis that was 
damaging our country. That happened because of you, Leonard, and I have 
never been prouder of you. I've never been prouder of your leadership 
than the day that happened. And America owes you a grateful thanks for 
leading the charge and giving voice to that problem.
  But Leonard's courage and heroism just doesn't apply to his service 
to his country. Not long ago, when an intruder attacked his home and 
his family, Leonard was there to stand up and protect them as well. And 
you shrug it off, Leonard, but everybody who knows you knows that the 
outcome of that horrible moment was inevitable, that truth and justice 
were going to triumph because you were the one who was there at the 
right time and the right place.
  We are honored to have the privilege of serving with you. We wish you 
and Dody and your entire family the best. Don't be a stranger. We're 
counting on you to continue to inspire us. And may God go with you.
  Mr. LATHAM. Thank you, Mr. Braley.
  I'd like to now recognize the Representative from northern Missouri 
(Mr. Graves).
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
distinguished service of my neighbor to the north, Congressman Leonard 
Boswell. And as was just pointed out, he was born in Missouri's Sixth 
Congressional District, which is the district I represent, in Harrison 
County. I think that's a fact that has probably dogged him throughout 
his career in Iowa politics, but we're very happy to have him actually 
born there.
  But I got to know Leonard through his hard work on matters related to 
aviation. And as has been pointed out today, Leonard is obviously a 
former military helicopter pilot, but he later got his fixed wing 
license, and most recently he's been flying a Comanche and a Zenith, 
but he's been a great advocate for all of general aviation.
  I've worked with him on countless pieces of legislation, large and 
small, to advance the interests of general aviation. In the FAA 
reauthorization, which we just finished this year, or parts of last 
year, there was an important provision in it to allow residential 
through-the-fence agreements at general aviation airports, and this 
provision would not have survived the process without Leonard's 
efforts.
  He's been a leader in opposing user fees, which is one of the number 
1 issues to those of us in general aviation and to general aviation 
pilots, and ensuring the continuation of programs such as the Block 
Aircraft Registration program.
  He has been an instrumental voice and established something that's 
very important to me, and that's the General Aviation Caucus. He's been 
very instrumental in the process of getting over 190 members, which is 
one of the largest caucuses here in the House of Representatives. And 
whenever I needed somebody to have courage to stand up for good policy 
even when it wasn't necessarily good politics, Leonard was always 
there, and I could always count on him to stand with me on those 
issues.
  I was also thrilled that Congressman Boswell attended the greatest 
little air show in the country, which is in my hometown of Tarkio, 
Missouri. And he has come there as a friend and, obviously, an aviation 
enthusiast, but I am hopeful he will join us again this year, July 13, 
for the show.
  Leonard has served his country in uniform and, obviously, as a Member 
of this House of Representatives, and he's served capably and very 
honorably. And on behalf of general aviation enthusiasts across this 
Nation, I want to thank you for everything that you have done to help 
those folks out. It's been an honor to work with you, and it's an honor 
for me to be able to call you my friend.
  Thank you very much, Leonard.
  Mr. LATHAM. I thank the gentleman.
  I'd like now to yield to my good friend from West Virginia (Mr. 
Rahall).
  Mr. RAHALL. Thank you, Mr. Latham. I appreciate your yielding, and do 
want to join today in paying tribute to the illustrious career of a 
colleague, a very good friend, the gentleman--and I mean gentleman in 
every sense of the word--the gentleman from Iowa, Mr. Leonard Boswell.
  As the ranking member on the Surface Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee on which Mr. Boswell has served, I can tell 
you that his expertise in so many issues that we've already heard 
discussed today have been critical to us in passing much-needed 
legislation.
  Much has been said already, but not enough can be said to say thank 
you to Leonard Boswell for his serving our country as he has in the 
U.S. Army, to have risen, like he did, from private to lieutenant 
colonel. To have run as many missions as he did as a helicopter pilot 
in Vietnam and to have won two Distinguished Flying Crosses is 
something that this Nation can never say thank you enough for what 
Leonard Boswell has done, even before he came to the illustrious Halls 
of the U.S. Congress.
  In the real world, Leonard Boswell has truly combined a midwestern 
farmer's common sense with practical, everyday living. And it has been 
that experience that has proven so invaluable to us on the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, his work to draft critical 
legislation.
  As a pilot, Leonard Boswell knows very well the tremendous issues 
facing our aviation community, and he served on that Subcommittee on 
Aviation for each of his 16 years in this body. And during the hearings 
and markups,

[[Page 17050]]

Leonard often spoke about the critical importance of aviation safety 
and as an advocate for his fellow general aviation pilots.
  It was for that reason that Leonard received an appointment to the 
conference committee that wrote the FAA bill that we passed last year. 
He served as a conferee, providing very valuable firsthand experience 
about what some of the irresponsible cuts being proposed at the time in 
FAA funding would have meant. And it's thanks to his deep, deep 
knowledge of these issues that we were able to get what we did, and 
that we were truly on the right side of this fight and came out in what 
circumstances at the time would call a true victory for our side.
  As a strong advocate of veterans, of independent truckers, and 
agriculture interests, Leonard Boswell brought that same experience to 
us as a conferee when we considered the MAC 21 transportation 
legislation of last year as well.
  It was his amendment that was offered in committee that ended up in 
the final legislation that gave veterans preference for jobs with 
highway and transit contractors, again, putting his past experience to 
work, ensuring that our veterans, after they have put their life on the 
line for our country, that they have a job to come back home to when 
they return home.
  And in addition, he's one of the few members of our Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure who has a commercial driver's 
license. Leonard Boswell knows very well the very intricate, the very 
complex and critical issues involved in motor carrier safety 
regulations. And he put that experience, along with his agriculture 
experience, to tremendous work for our colleagues.
  I know that on our Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
when Leonard Boswell spoke, every member listened. You could hear the 
conversations, the side bars, the side conversations stop, and 
everybody listened to what Leonard had to say when he spoke on our 
committee.
  He played an instrumental role in the Midwest Regional Rail 
Initiative, establishing a new Amtrak route between Chicago, the Quad 
Cities, and Iowa City. This $30 million project will be completed in 
2015 and is creating more than 500 family-wage jobs each year. And 
that's just the start.
  Whether Mr. Boswell's been advocating for high-speed rail or for 
ethanol pipeline, he's always been focused on what is best for Iowa and 
for the transportation needs of this Nation. He's been an invaluable 
resource to our committee. I know we will miss him speaking on the 
committee, but we certainly will look forward to continuing to profit 
from his experiences and advice to us in whatever capacity he may 
follow in his many years left.
  I would note that, again, before I conclude, as has already been 
noted, that it is the gentleman from Iowa that beat Mr. Boswell that is 
bringing this Special Order today. And I think that is worth special 
recognition, as well, because it shows the greatness of both of these 
individuals, how they can fight a very hard battle, political battle, 
yet both remain true gentlemen.
  I would even submit that, in this day of critical fiscal cliff 
negotiations, that if Mr. Latham and Mr. Boswell were conducting 
negotiations, we'd be going home for Christmas by sundown today.

                              {time}  1310

  Mr. LATHAM. I thank the gentleman.
  I would like to now recognize the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Petri).
  Mr. PETRI. I thank my colleague from Iowa.
  I actually want to echo the words of Nick Joe Rahall in commending 
both of you gentleman--especially Tom--for organizing this Special 
Order. I think it says something about each of your character and your 
respect for the process and for this institution. We hear a lot about 
how the camaraderie or the goodwill has deteriorated in this body, but 
I think, at least so far as Iowa politics is concerned and a lot of us 
from the Midwest, that's not the case. There's strong differences, but 
there's also strong respect and a recognition that we're working on 
something that's greater than all of us and we're trying to do our best 
for the American people and for our country.
  I got to know Leonard Boswell and his wife Dody--I don't know if you 
remember this, but I think it was in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 1979. A 
new freshman Member of Congress, my wife and 8-year-old daughter and I 
went up to Hershey. They had a bipartisan conference there for a couple 
of days. It was really fun. We got to go on tours and had different 
sessions. They broke us down into different groups, and my wife and I 
happened to be the same group with Leonard and Dody, and we hit it off 
right away, feeling that here was someone who was not your typical idea 
of what a politician is but someone who is in it for the right reason 
and doing public service and was a decent person.
  Leonard is, I think, a very, very low-key, very proud, and very tough 
person. Some people say you've got to be a firebrand and you've got to 
yell and holler and all that. I was raised with the idea that it's the 
empty can that makes the most noise. Sometimes the most noise is not 
the way you get things done or you make a contribution.
  Leonard has always been a strong, steady, responsible, honorable, 
honest participant in the process and someone I have looked up to. I 
have served with him for many years on the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee. He's honored us in Wisconsin by coming with 
his true love of aviation. I think he actually graduated first in his 
class back when he was taking both helicopter and fixed wing aviation 
back in the fifties. So he's been a good pilot of all sorts for a very 
long, long time. A couple of Bronze Stars and a lot of the other awards 
that he has received during his service in the military, there's a 
story behind each one of those, an important one. I know that a lot of 
people are very grateful for what you did during those 20 years in the 
military representing our country.
  He's a natural leader. He was selected by his friends and neighbors 
to be a leader in a co-op movement in Iowa, and then elected to the 
State senate and became president of the State senate. He's always 
shown, as I have had the opportunity to work with him, a real concern 
for his constituents and their problems and personally has gone to bat 
to make sure that they're getting a fair deal and a hearing and not 
just going through the motions. His knowledge of aviation has been a 
great resource for this Congress and for the Transportation Committee.
  I don't normally participate in these sort of things, but I did want 
to come down here today to just say, Leonard, I respect you. You're the 
salt of the Earth, the kind of person that I think we would all like to 
be. I'm sure your family is proud of you and your neighbors are proud 
of you. We thank you for your service to our country.
  Mr. LATHAM. I would like to now recognize the person who's the 
subject of all this, my colleague, Congressman Leonard Boswell.
  Mr. BOSWELL. Thank you, Congressman Latham.
  This is the first day we've actually talked, except for election 
night when I called to say congratulations. Our little conversation we 
had a few moments ago before this started was kindly, and I think I 
appreciated you coming to me and saying what you did in this event that 
took place last November. So I wish you well, and I appreciate the 
cordial treatment you have given me today.
  Some suggest to me, You may not want to do this; he was your 
opponent. I said, No. We're from Iowa. We don't do things like that. 
That's protocol. You made me proud today, and I thank you for it.
  I've said this on other occasions, as you've heard me, I have a 
regret. I'm sorry my mother couldn't have heard this discussion today.
  I owe a lot of appreciation to those of you left in the room. I 
realize most people had to flee for the airport, as we normally all do. 
Thank you for staying and doing this.
  I do want to pay tribute to my wife, Dody. I think she's probably 
watching.
  Sweetheart, I hope you have enjoyed this, as well as my children--
Terri,

[[Page 17051]]

Diana, Cindy, and Joe--and their families and many friends. I hadn't 
planned on this all coming to this kind of a closure, but it's caused 
me to reflect back over life, and I feel very blessed.
  Tom, you heard it too many times. I started out in a tented 
farmhouse. You did hear that a time or two, I'm sure, in days past. But 
look what I've gotten to do, as you've heard about here today, when we 
talk about the American Dream and the opportunities that exist in 
America. It's been very rewarding to me. I can't say enough about that, 
but enough has been probably said.
  I realize as I reflect back on what's happened over the last years 
that I couldn't have done it without the help of great staff. And some 
names--I shouldn't do this--but just to hit a few of them. A gentleman 
named John Norris--I think you knew him, Tom, at one time--we started 
out together. He's on the FERC Board now, and doing a good job.
  I think back over many others. Sandy Carter, you're probably watching 
over there in our cube. Sandy, thank you for your service and your 
dedication to the people of Iowa in the Third District. I could go on 
and on. Back in Iowa, there's Jay Byers, Sally Bowzer, Grant Woodard, 
and all the rest. Frequently, I would stand before a group and invite 
Ted Tran to come and stand with me as a surrogate son from Vung Tau, 
Vietnam. He was one of those refugees, and what he went through to get 
to be an American and have the American Dream is very special. So the 
list is long, and I will stop. It's getting long for some of you. I 
know you've got travels to do.
  But those here in the room, Bruce, thank you for your attributes. Jim 
Nussle, it's great to see you again. Tim, thank you for your remarks 
and the service we've had together. Tom, I wish you continued success. 
I know that you'll give your heart to what you believe in for our 
State. We both kind of come from the soil, really. That's probably a 
good thing.
  So with that, I want to say a fond farewell. I will continue to 
respond to our constituents until we finally close this down, if no 
sooner, at least by the 2nd of January, when we change from the 112th 
to the 113th.
  I'll just say it's been my pleasure and my good fortune to live this 
much of my life in the United States of America and to serve our 
country. It's the right thing to do. We've got lots on our plate, but 
we can do this because that's who we are. We can, and I'm sure we will.
  Thank you and God Bless.

                              {time}  1320

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say thank you to Congressman 
Boswell. I wish him and Dody the very, very best in the future.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to my remarks today, I asked Iowans to pay 
tribute to Congressman Boswell by providing their comments for 
submission into the Congressional Record, which follow.

  Remarks of Senator Chuck Grassley on Representative Leonard Boswell

       Representative Leonard Boswell is a strong advocate for his 
     constituents and many other categories of individuals who are 
     not necessarily constituents but important members of our 
     society, including veterans and farmers.
       He saw the world as a 20-year veteran of the United States 
     Army, returned home, and applied his broad perspective to 
     public service, first in the Iowa state legislature, then in 
     the U.S. Congress.
       He made a big impression on me in the 1990s when he was 
     president of the state Senate. When he had an issue on his 
     mind, he tracked me down at my town meetings or whatever it 
     took. At times, he rode with me from one town meeting to the 
     next so we could talk. That persistence on behalf of Iowans 
     is something I greatly admired.
       His decorated military service, including two tours of duty 
     in Vietnam, made him a natural for looking out for veterans' 
     needs.
       Representative Boswell did a tremendous amount to raise 
     awareness of veterans' suicide and promote preventive 
     services. He championed and shepherded through Congress the 
     Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. This act, 
     signed into law, is named for a soldier from Grundy Center, 
     Iowa, who took his own life after returning from Iraq.
       As the operator of a farm in Davis City that has been in 
     his family for generations, Representative Boswell 
     understands the challenges facing family farmers. He's been a 
     vocal advocate for an updated farm bill and other policies 
     critical to the nation's farmers.
       Policy work to support economic growth in Iowa is another 
     signature for Representative Boswell. He has promoted 
     legislation that rebuilds the highways and other 
     infrastructure that are necessary for job creation.
       In closing, Representative Boswell has worked hard to 
     represent his constituents. He did his job very well. While 
     we disagreed politically, we never had a personal 
     disagreement. We found plenty of common ground. I'll miss his 
     camaraderie around Congress. But I have no doubt we'll run 
     across each other because Representative Boswell is unlikely 
     to avoid public service, which has been his calling for so 
     long.
       Thank you for your service, Representative Boswell.
                                  ____


   Statement From Governor Terry Branstad on Representative Leonard 
                                Boswell

       I commend Congressman Leonard Boswell for his long-time 
     dedication to public service. His selfless service to others 
     has been demonstrated in many ways--as an officer in the 
     United States Army, as President of the Iowa Senate, and as a 
     congressman from Iowa. In the United States House of 
     Representatives, Congressman Boswell was a great ally for 
     rural development, transportation infrastructure, and 
     agriculture, and he championed legislation to help veterans 
     across the nation. I enjoyed working with Leonard in a 
     bipartisan fashion during his time in State government--just 
     one example came in our joint work to bring IPSCO Steel to 
     Iowa in 1994 which has provided hundreds of high-quality jobs 
     for Iowans. Congressman Boswell should be proud of his public 
     service accomplishments and for his personal achievements as 
     a husband, father, and grandfather. I am heartened by Iowans, 
     like Congressman Boswell, who have spent a lifetime serving 
     the State of Iowa. We thank him for his service.
                                  ____

       On behalf of the Waukee City Council and myself, I would 
     like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Congressman Leonard 
     Boswell for his many years of service in the Iowa Senate and 
     for the past 16 years, his service to the people of Iowa in 
     the United States House of Representatives.
       It has been a pleasure to work with Congressman Boswell 
     over the years. In my communications with Congressman 
     Boswell, he has always been friendly, receptive, and eager to 
     work with and for his constituents. In particular, 
     Congressman Boswell has been very supportive and helpful in 
     the City's efforts to obtain funding and necessary approvals 
     related to the Alice's Road/105th Street Interchange.
       Congressman Boswell's many years of service in the military 
     and in the halls of Congress are a testament to his love of 
     home, state and nation. He is a true friend of Waukee and I 
     wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
                                     --Honorable William F. Peard,
     Mayor of Waukee
                                  ____

       One of Representative Leonard Boswell's most significant 
     and enduring accomplishments during his long political career 
     was the critical role that he played in bringing the World 
     Food Prize to Iowa and in helping ensure that it would have a 
     permanent home in Des Moines.
       The World Food Prize, known around the world as ``The Nobel 
     Prize for Food and Agriculture,'' was created by Iowa's and 
     America's greatest agricultural hero, Nobel Peace Prize 
     Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug. However, when the prize's 
     original sponsor on the east coast was lost and the Prize was 
     about to go out of existence, then State Senator Boswell was 
     part of a critical bipartisan effort, with Republican 
     Governor Terry Branstad and John Ruan Sr. to rescue the World 
     Food Prize and relocate it to Dr. Borlaug's home state of 
     Iowa.
       Since then, thanks to the highly supportive role 
     Representative Boswell has played, The World Food Prize has 
     grown in stature and now annually welcomes more than 1,500 
     people from more than 70 countries for an award ceremony and 
     symposium which has been called ``the premier conference in 
     the world on global agriculture.''
       In addition, Representative Boswell worked hand in hand 
     with all of the members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation 
     on a bipartisan basis to help attain approval of Dr. Borlaug 
     receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest 
     civilian honor. For this achievement Representative Boswell 
     has our heartfelt appreciation, as well as for all he has 
     done to preserve and enhance the legacy of Dr. Norman E. 
     Borlaug.
       On behalf of the World Food Prize Foundation, we extend our 
     warmest congratulations to Representative Boswell on his 
     dedicated career of public service, in the US Army in 
     Vietnam, as well as in the Iowa State Legislature and the US 
     House of Representatives.
       --Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of the World Food 
     Prize Foundation
                                  ____


                          Congressman Boswell

       On behalf of the Iowa Federation of National Active and 
     Retired Federal Employees

[[Page 17052]]

     (NARFE), thank you for your years of support and service to 
     not only Federal employees and retirees but all Iowans.
       When first becoming an officer in NARFE, I was not 
     knowledgeable about legislation and you took the time to 
     visit with me and bring me up to speed. I will always be 
     grateful for this guidance.
       It has been a pleasure knowing and working with you.
       --Darlene Freeman, Past President and Legislative Chair of 
     the Iowa Federation of NARFE
                                  ____

       Cousin Leonard: Congratulations on your successful careers 
     of service in the Armed Forces, State Senate, and U.S. 
     Congress. We wish you and Dody a happy retirement.
     --Eldon and Marilyn Boswell
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: We want to thank you for your years of 
     service and we admire and respect your views/contribution to 
     all of us!
       I know we have not heard the last from you and we encourage 
     you to stay involved. We need you! Again, thank you so much 
     for helping all of us!
     --Tom and Nancy Courtney of Burlington
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: I admire your service to our country, 
     from your time in the military to the halls of Congress. You 
     have always been fair and willing to compromise for the 
     overall benefit of Iowans and Americans. I appreciate that 
     you always make efforts to hear from constituents and to work 
     hard on our behalf. Your work will enrich Americans lives for 
     years to come.
       Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa.
     --Michael Worrell
                                  ____

       Dear Representative Boswell: Thank you so much for your 
     years of service. Roxy and I are from Burlington and are now 
     in the 2nd District, but we appreciate your work so much.
     --John and Roxy Riessen, West Burlington
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell has been my representative personally, 
     as well as the representative for AIB College of Business in 
     Des Moines, where I serve as the President.
       In his time in DC, Congressman Boswell has been a huge 
     supporter of Education, from K-12 through private and public 
     colleges and universities. He believes in students and 
     recognizes that young people are the future for our nation. 
     He is also very supporting of our active duty military 
     personnel and our Veterans.
       I wish to recognize and THANK Congressman Boswell for his 
     dedication to our country, to Iowa, and to his constituents. 
     He has changed our world, our country, and our state with his 
     personal service for so many years. Every life has a great 
     purpose and Congressman Boswell has had a wonderful calling 
     for his. I will wait in anticipation to see what he chooses 
     to do next! I just cannot thank him enough!
     --Nancy Williams, AIB President, Des Moines
                                  ____

       Leonard Boswell was truly a gracious man and a class act.
       I retired from teaching in 2010, after 38 years. A number 
     of years ago, I had a group of 5 or 6 students that competed 
     in a Citizenship Competition in Des Moines while Mr. Boswell 
     was the President of the State Senate.
       We presented a plan for the public library in our home 
     town--Creston Iowa--and how it needed to be remodeled, 
     updated, made handicapped accessible, and just made safe in 
     general. We had to present an action plan along with pictures 
     before a group of judges. Our presentation won the 
     competition and Mr. Boswell made himself available to present 
     the award to my group of students.
       He then invited us upstairs in the Iowa Capitol and took 
     the students through different parts of the Capitol and 
     showed us his offices. He spent precious time with the group 
     and throughout it was generous and patient and made it a very 
     special day for some eighth grade students and their teacher. 
     Mr. Boswell went above and beyond to be kind to us, when he 
     could have easily either ignored the occasion, or made it a 
     quick event.
       I will always remember Leonard Boswell for his support for 
     education and the time he took to support it.
       Character is what you do when no one is looking and I felt 
     that this experience with Leonard Boswell was a shining 
     example of the true strength of his character.
       We will miss him.
     --Mrs. Lauris Heinzel, Creston
                                  ____

       Leonard Boswell has a long and distinguished career of 
     service to his state and to his country. He is a humble 
     servant of the people, and we are going to miss him greatly 
     in Congress. Congressman Boswell is a committed statesman, a 
     dedicated family man, a courageous and decorated veteran, and 
     a most trusted friend.
       We extend our sincere and best wishes to Congressman 
     Leonard Boswell and hope that the people of Iowa continue to 
     enjoy his gifts of time, talent, and leadership in 
     retirement.
     --Myron R. Linn, Pella Corporation
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: We want to thank you for the years of 
     dedicated service to our country, serving in Vietnam; and in 
     the US House of Representatives. You did a great job of 
     representing your District in Southern Iowa and voted your 
     thoughts on the various issues. Your service in Vietnam as a 
     helicopter pilot was far and away your greatest achievement, 
     facing death on every mission. Your service to America should 
     never be forgotten. Again, Thanks.
     --Jerry and Beverly Wetzel, Indianola
                                  ____

       Congressman Leonard Boswell . . . a quiet and thoughtful 
     voice of reason, someone who saw the big picture, someone who 
     always opened his door and his ear to his constituents, 
     someone who sincerely worked for the betterment of his state 
     and country, and someone who played his role as a servant 
     leader with unparalleled dignity, honor and integrity.
       I was so very fortunate to work with this dedicated public 
     servant for more than 3 decades at the state and national 
     level. I always left his presence with a keen sense of 
     appreciation for the sincere commitment he had to our state, 
     nation and the American people. Thank you Congressman Boswell 
     for your friendship, service, and spirit of professionalism. 
     Your legacy of leadership will live on through the lessons 
     you taught to us while serving your country.
       Thank you.
      --Thomas R Temple, Former CEO of Iowa Pharmacy Association, 
     Des Moines
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: I appreciate the opportunity to thank 
     you publicly for your service to our nation and state and for 
     your friendship. The bond initially sparked by our common 
     Vietnam aviator experience has led to a longstanding personal 
     friendship that has endured despite our different political 
     affiliations. I continue to hold your key leadership in the 
     Iowa General Assembly in highest regard. In all of the 
     capacities that you have served, you have put the greater 
     good ahead of your self interest, beginning with your 
     willingness to risk your life in military service. I honor 
     your great record of public service!
       I am retiring at the end of this year and hopefully we will 
     have occasion to spend some time together. I have missed your 
     presence at the statehouse, Leonard! There is a lot of hangar 
     flying yet to be done, my friend!
       Best personal regards.
     --Keith E. Luchtel, Nyemaster Goode, Des Moines
                                  ____

       I served as a Congressional Page for the 108th Congress in 
     2003-2004 during my junior year of high school. Despite being 
     a conservative Republican from southern Iowa, Congressman 
     Boswell nominated me for this position and I cannot thank him 
     enough for this amazing opportunity. During my year of 
     service, I learned an incredible amount about the House of 
     Representatives and the legislative process. This experience 
     jump started my life in ways hard to imagine.
       Congressman Boswell served with dignity and represented 
     Iowa well in a place that seems foreign and out-of-touch to 
     many Iowans. While I disagreed with him on most of his 
     positions, I valued his working-man approach to representing 
     ordinary folks in the U.S. Congress.
       Again, thank you for your service. I know you will enjoy 
     returning to your farm and family in southern Iowa--A place I 
     will always call home.
       Best wishes,
     --Blake Yocom, Chariton
                                  ____

       I owe Congressman Boswell a lot. In 1998, Congressman 
     Boswell gave me an opportunity to work for him as a 
     legislative assistant in his Washington, D.C. office. That 
     opportunity evolved into other career opportunities 
     throughout my career. Any of the successes I have achieved in 
     my professional life are due in large part to Congressman 
     Boswell. His willingness to place his trust in me to do an 
     important job for the people of Iowa's Third Congressional 
     District is something I will never forget.
       I would like to thank Congressman Boswell not only for his 
     support of me personally, but also for his service to our 
     country. As a soldier and statesman, there are few people who 
     have given more of themselves to our nation. I wish him and 
     Dody well as they move forward to their next adventure in 
     life. I would ask them to take some time and get some rest, 
     but I know that won't happen--that's not the Boswell way!
       Job well done, Congressman!
     Jon Murphy, PolicyWorks, Des Moines
                                  ____

       There is no doubt that Congressman Boswell was a friend of 
     postal workers. He supported us on every front, as he has 
     from the anthrax incidents to the recent financial situation 
     the USPS is facing.
       The Postal Workers in Iowa, and the country, want to thank 
     Congressman Boswell for all his support and years of service.
       On behalf of all the American Postal Worker Union Local in 
     Iowa, thank you.
                                    --Lance Coles, Iowa Federation
     of Labor AFL-CIO
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: The first time we met was in the year 
     2000 when the National

[[Page 17053]]

     Institute of Health asked me to contact the Iowa Congressmen 
     to request their support of the Lupus Research and Care 
     Amendment Act. Whereas most Congressmen were very polite, but 
     spent no more than 10 minutes with me, you took me into your 
     private office and spent more than 30 minutes asking me 
     numerous questions about the disease and the prospective 
     legislation. As it turned out, you were the only Congressman 
     to co-sponsor the bill that would affect 15,000+ Iowans 
     afflicted with the disease, lupus. At that point I knew we 
     would be friends for life.
       When my husband served on the Des Moines City Council, you 
     were always the first Iowa Congressman he would contact when 
     he needed advice and assistance on an issue. He knew that he 
     could always count on you. Not only were you the most 
     accessible, but also the one who would truly ``listen'' to 
     what he had to say.
       These ``friendships'' have continued throughout your term 
     of office. Whether it was a problem or concern with social 
     security disability, immigration, social security, medicare, 
     or numerous other topics, you and your staff were always 
     prompt in addressing our concerns.
       We shall truly miss your smiling face at the community 
     events, as we always knew that we could count on you being 
     there. We wish you the very best in the next phase of your 
     life, and we hope that you, and your lovely wife Dody, will 
     be blessed with good health and happiness.
       Your friends,
     --Sophie and Tom Vlassis
                                  ____

       Leonard Boswell has been my friend for 20+ years and as I 
     write this message my thoughts go back to all the roads we've 
     traveled, the adventures we've shared, the laughter and tears 
     we shed. I just want you to know you are my brother.
       To you and Dody my love and best wishes.
     --John Flannery
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: I wanted to take this opportunity to 
     thank you for your support for diabetes issues. I am proud 
     that I have gotten to work by your side over the past 7 years 
     to increase funding for diabetes research and on stem cell 
     research. I will never forget the time when I was 13 and at 
     an event listening to you speak. You pulled me up on stage 
     and talked about how we needed to work to find a cure so that 
     I wouldn't have diabetes anymore. That meant the world to me. 
     Because of all you have done for me, you will always have a 
     special place in my heart. You have taught me so much and I 
     hope to someday impact my community as much as you have.
       Thanks again!
     --Karli Borcherding, Ankeny
                                  ____

       Congressman Leonard Boswell is a name well recognized in 
     Iowa. After years representing the issues important to Iowans 
     in the U.S. Congress, many years addressing the concerns of 
     Iowans at the state capitol, and twenty years defending the 
     freedoms and rights that Americans hold dear as a member of 
     the U.S. military, Congressman Boswell deserves the thanks of 
     Iowans and Americans for his commitment to this country. This 
     congressional recognition is well earned.
       Congressman Boswell was a representative who would take the 
     time to listen to Iowans. He paid special care and attention 
     to all veterans. He was a friend of working people. When home 
     visiting, he would make an effort to meet with the labor 
     leaders in the state. He spent time listening to their 
     concerns and would give honest answers on his positions--not 
     always to the liking of the unions--but always honest and 
     upfront.
       The labor movement in Iowa has lost an ally in Congress, 
     but we are grateful for all the years he was there for us. We 
     hope he will not be a stranger to Iowa politics and will 
     continue to support veterans and workers.
        --Ken Sagar, President of Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO
     --Charlie Wishman, Secretary/Treasurer of Iowa Federation of 
     Labor AFL-CIO
                                  ____

       Leonard Boswell was my representative for 11 of the past 15 
     years he was in the U.S. Congress. Prior to that he 
     distinguished himself as he represented Iowans for many years 
     at the state capitol. Leonard has dedicated the majority of 
     his life to public service and he is more than worthy of this 
     congressional recognition.
       Leonard was a decorated veteran of the Viet Nam war which 
     has special meaning to me as I too had the privilege to serve 
     during that time. I truly believe Leonard would have been 
     just as caring for the Veterans of this land even if he 
     hadn't served. Leonard is just that kind of person.
       I have had the privilege of representing Union members in 
     South Central Iowa for over three years and had the 
     opportunity to partner with the congressman on numerous 
     issues that affected working people. I can confirm that 
     Leonard was receptive to all my concerns and he made my 
     concerns his concerns in regard to working people and the 
     citizens of Iowa.
       I count Congressman Boswell as one of most trusted and 
     beloved friends and look forward to partnering with Leonard 
     in the future in whatever capacity.
       Thank you,
     --Mark Cooper, South Central Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO
                                  ____


                          Members of Congress,

       The Iowa Corn Growers Association would like to take this 
     opportunity to express our gratitude and extend special 
     recognition to Congressman Leonard Boswell for his many years 
     of service to his country, his home state of Iowa, and to 
     agriculture. His background as a family farmer and his 
     service in the Iowa Senate greatly prepared him to represent 
     corn farmers in the U.S. Congress.
       Because Congressman Boswell values the family farmer, our 
     goals have often been lock step with one another's. He has 
     served the agriculture community well with representation on 
     the House Agriculture Committee and as Chair and Ranking 
     Member of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management 
     Subcommittee. In these roles, he has worked to; protect and 
     strengthen corn farmer's risk management, build a secure and 
     stable crop insurance program, and build realistic farm 
     commodity programs. Congressman Boswell also served Iowa and 
     its farmers on the House Transportation and Infrastructure 
     Committee where his work on numerous highway bills as well as 
     the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) impacted Iowa's 
     critical transportation systems.
       During his years of service, the corn ethanol industry was 
     developed. Congressman Boswell was instrumental in promoting 
     the ethanol industry and shaping policies that allowed the 
     industry to grow. From the Renewable Fuel Standard, to the 
     Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, to leadership on the 
     Renewable Fuels Pipeline legislation, the ICGA could be 
     confident that Congressman Boswell would work to support and 
     defend one of the corn industry's top markets.
       In closing, on behalf of the farmer members of the Iowa 
     Corn Growers Association, we would like to again thank 
     Congressman Leonard Boswell for his long standing support of 
     Iowa agriculture and the corn industry. We are sincerely 
     grateful for his tireless work to serve our state and our 
     industry.
       Sincerely,
      --Bruce Rohwer, President of Iowa Corn Growers Association, 
                                                          Johnston
      --Craig Floss, Chief Executive Officer of Iowa Corn Growers 
     Association, Johnston
                                  ____


                          Congressman Boswell,

       On behalf of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, we extend 
     our deepest thanks and appreciation to you for your service 
     to the citizens of Greater Des Moines, the State of Iowa, and 
     United States of America.
       First and foremost, thank you for the 20 years of service 
     to our country as a member of the United States Army. And, 
     thank you for your excellent work in representing Central 
     Iowa in the United States House of Representatives over the 
     many years. You and your dedicated staff have been a 
     tremendous asset to our community.
       Your leadership and efforts in securing federal funding for 
     transportation projects, quality of life priorities, and 
     other economic development initiatives have played a critical 
     role in the rapid growth and prosperity of the Greater Des 
     Moines Region. We cannot thank you enough for being such an 
     important partner in these efforts.
       And thank you for helping accommodate our group and taking 
     the time to address our participants during our annual visits 
     to Washington, D.C. We appreciate the great work in helping 
     set up meetings, coordinating schedules, lining up speakers, 
     and advising and meeting with trip participants.
       Again, thank you for your efforts on behalf of the Greater 
     Des Moines Partnership in our nation's capital. We truly 
     appreciate your leadership and all the work you have done on 
     issues important to Central Iowa's business community. We 
     hope for, and wish you, the best in your future endeavors.
       Sincerely,
       --Jay Byers, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Des Moines 
                                                       Partnership
     --Eugene Meyer, President of Greater Des Moines Partnership
                                  ____

       We residents of your hometown--Lamoni, Decatur County, 
     Iowa--are privileged to join in paying tribute to you for 
     your years of service to our community, our state, and our 
     country. We can't list all of your achievements, but can 
     mention a few:
       Active sports player in High School
       Farmer
       Pilot in the skies of Vietnam
       Senate President--Iowa Legislature
       Father and Grandfather
       President of Farmers' Coop
       Member of U. S. House of Representatives
       Problem solver for people immersed in ``Red Tape''
       Pastor of Lamoni Community of Christ
       Devoted Husband
       Thank you for your many years of selfless service.
     --Lamoni Lions Club and the Town of Lamoni
                                  ____

       Leonard Boswell has worked for his country, his state, and 
     his community throughout a lifetime of public service. 
     Lieutenant

[[Page 17054]]

     Colonel Boswell had a distinguished 20-year career in the 
     United States Army. His service in the Iowa Senate, as 
     President of that body from 1993 to 1996, was where he first 
     took the lessons he brought from his military life, and 
     brought them to bear in the political arena. Those lessons 
     included focus on the mission at hand, and get the job done. 
     Trust your team, and let them know they can trust you. And 
     perhaps most importantly, leave no comrade behind. In 1997, 
     Leonard brought those values to work for Iowans, and their 
     neighbors across the country, in the United States House of 
     Representatives. His work on transportation issues has 
     changed the face of Iowa. But it has been his advocacy for 
     his fellow veterans and their families, that has changed the 
     heart of Iowa.
       We are grateful to his wife, Dody, and his family, for 
     sharing him with us these many years. We are proud of the 
     work he has done, and we welcome him home with open arms.
     --Sue Dvorsky, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: All Iowans stop from what they are 
     doing today to say thank you to Representative Leonard 
     Boswell who has represented us well during his tenure as U.S. 
     House Representative. We thank him for his leadership and 
     courage dealing with issues of importance to the people of 
     Iowa.
     --Mary L. Madison
                                  ____

       Leonard: It is with gratitude that we thank you for being 
     our Congressional Representative in the 90's and good friend 
     in support of the issues that matter in middle Iowa. You 
     always treated us with respect and desire to make things 
     better for Iowans.
       Thank you for your support of the Affordable Care Act. And 
     we also thank you for always meeting with our delegation of 
     Orthopedic Surgeons when we came to visit you each spring 
     when Bob was on the Academy's Board of Councilors. We also 
     appreciate your strong support for Israel, and your personal 
     stories of facing the tragedies after the Holocaust. And 
     thank you for serving in the US Army for many years. And also 
     thank you for your support for women's reproductive rights 
     and health care issues. I knew that you would always listen 
     to us at Planned Parenthood and would do as much as you could 
     to support us in Congress. And that was not an easy task 
     these past few years.
       All the best to you and Dody. We know that you will always 
     be there for a good chat on issues and will always stand up 
     for Iowans no matter what!!
     --Debbie and Bob Gitchell, Ames
                                  ____

       Congressman Boswell: Your campaign this fall was full of 
     energy, which is representative of your years of support. It 
     is a privilege to honor your many years of serving Iowans 
     both locally and in Washington, DC.
       As advocates for working on behalf of vulnerable Iowans, we 
     have found you to be loyal to these issues. I am appreciative 
     of your willingness to listen to concerns from constituents 
     and advocacy groups. I was especially delighted when you 
     provided your support and signed on to the Social Work 
     Reinvestment Act upon listening to our issues.
       You have dedicated your time to working on behalf of Iowans 
     and assuring policies were in place to support your 
     constituents. Thank you Congressman Boswell for your years of 
     service!
      --Kelli Soyer, National Association of Social Workers, Iowa 
                                                           Chapter

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Congressman Leonard 
Boswell for his 16 years of dedicated service to the people of Iowa's 
Third Congressional District, and the country.
  At the end of this term, the U.S. Congress will bid farewell to one 
of its great leaders. I have had the good fortune to serve with 
Congressman Boswell on the House Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee, and as a fellow member of the Blue Dog Coalition. In a 
Congress that has become infamous for its partisan gridlock, Leonard 
has been a stalwart advocate for compromise. He has always understood 
that on issues related to the well being of our working-class families, 
the nation's infrastructure, and our men and women in uniform, our 
responsibilities as elected Representatives must always come before 
politics.
  Leonard's leadership in this regard has always been a source of 
inspiration to me. With his departure the U.S. Congress will lose the 
experience of a public servant who has held elective office for 28 
years, a distinguished combat veteran and a true American patriot. His 
example of hard work and bipartisan compromise should not be lost on 
the 113th Congress when it convenes next month.
  I would like to offer Leonard and his family my deepest thanks and my 
best wishes for the future.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me again in commemorating Congressman 
Leonard Boswell's tremendous service to the United States of America.

                          ____________________