Larry Combest

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, the conference report includes a provision that corrects an unintentional consequence in the 1996 welfare law reform. That provision would have allowed some States to be paid twice for the same administrative costs for determining eligibility for food stamps. That is corrected in the conference report. What we are presented with is a situation in which it is an obvious windfall extra payment to some States that must be corrected. If I were one of those States or representing one of those States, I would probably like to be a part of the recipient of $2.5 billion of Federal money that is not due to those States. If in fact that is the desire of Members, to give them $2.5 billion more than is necessary, then vote with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon). If it is not and you have a desire to see the bill continue to move forward, vote on the position of the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Smith).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Smith) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again reemphasize the title of this conference report as the Agricultural Research Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998. Initially, I would like to join with Chairman Smith in also thanking him but also thank our colleagues, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley), and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Barrett) for their hard work and cooperation in bringing the conference report to the floor. This has been a bipartisan effort from the start, and it represents a lot of hard work on the part of a lot of Members. Agricultural research has brought us a multitude of results, from the mass production of penicillin to the sixfold increase in today's agricultural productivity. For American agriculture to continue to be profitable and competitive in the global economy, it is critical that we maintain strong agricultural research programs. As chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over ag research, I presided over four hearings which provided the basis for crafting this bill. We worked diligently to improve upon the structure of research education and extension. We increase competition and maximize the research by leveraging private dollars with limited Federal funds. As we know, this conference report contains several provisions which were not in the House research bill. S. 1150 is the product of some very tough negotiations in conference. In the end, we meet our responsibilities to the truly needy, to the farmers who feed them and the researchers and crops insurers who support them; and we do this by putting unspent Ag Department funds to work. The funding for food stamps is limited primarily to the truly needed among immigrants who legally entered this country prior to the 1996 welfare reform. Children, the elderly, and the disabled will be included in the coverage. Let me stress, no food stamps will be given to new immigrants, only to needy immigrants legally here on or before August 22, 1996. This is by no means a wholesale repeal of the provisions of welfare reform. Those who can and should work will still be required to do so. No immigrant who came here after August 22, 1996, will be able to receive food stamps. The funding for the crop insurance program and ag research programs fulfill a commitment that the last Congress made to our farmers and ranchers. With the passage of the 1996 farm bill, Congress reduced the direct payments farmers have historically received to offset the natural risk of farming. In return, Congress promised to provide better risk management, production and marketing tools to maintain farmers' competitive advantages in the global market. Mr. Speaker, passage of this conference report is critical to America's farmers and ranchers. They deserve our support. I commend this to our colleagues, and I would urge them to support this conference report.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1415.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. I would like to thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Smith), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley) for their hard work and cooperation in bringing this bill to the floor. As chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over agricultural research programs, I presided over a series of hearings last summer and through the fall to prepare for this bill. We worked diligently to improve upon the current research, education and extension structure by increasing coordination, communications and competition among the public and private sectors and across State lines. This bill represents a significant step toward that goal. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for our colleagues who may be watching or for their staffs who may be watching to make for certain that they understand what this is. The House has passed this bill. All we are simply trying to do is to go to conference. We had the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston), the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. We had the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. We had the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), a subcommittee chairman of appropriations, who the one common thing throughout their statements was what a great bill this was. Mr. Speaker, we did not make any changes in the food stamp program in this bill. I agree with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). We need to fix the crop insurance program. Nothing about crop insurance is in this bill. I agree with the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton), who is a member of our committee about her concerns on food stamps. Nothing in this bill has anything to do with food stamps. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra), all expressed their concerns about what the Senate has done. We cannot even talk to the Senate if we do not get this bill out of here under this resolution and go to conference. So I want to make for certain that people understand, everybody loves this bill. But if the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) is correct in his efforts, as he said reluctantly, to defeat the bill, nothing he is trying to do in regards to the money for food stamps is done. I want to make for sure that we understand where we are and I want to make for sure that Members understand that all we are doing is going to conference on a bill that has passed the House and all of the concern that has been raised on the floor today is about the Senate bill. We have got to go to conference before we can even begin to cure the problems. Let us not get caught up in these other things that are of legitimate concern to us as well in a bill that has nothing to do with it and keep from American agriculture the opportunity to move forward with a research bill that has not been reauthorized in, I believe, 15 years, and is vitally important to the future of agriculture and to all of our producers and to all of those people involved in it. All we are doing today is trying to go to conference.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and achievements of James Roberts of Andrews, Texas. James Roberts was a very important reason that the county and community of Andrews lived up to its self-proclaimed truism, ``A Community of Quality.'' James embodied every bit of that quality as the local boy who grew up to take an active, important part in his community. After graduation from Andrews High School, he completed his education after serving this country in the U.S. Army in World War II and bravely surviving a year's time in a German prisoner-of-war camp. He returned home to Andrews and married Marie Holman on April 18, 1946. He had attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, and in 1950, earned his college degree from Baylor University. James became the owner and editor of the Andrews County News. His writing spoke with the strong, common sense voice and views of the vast West Texas and Eastern New Mexico region through several newspapers under the Roberts Publishing banner. The family paper, founded by his parents during the Great Depression, carried James' own ``Drifting Sands'' column of homespun humor and down-to-earth basics of daily life and politics, James Roberts' own course in life was anything but drifting. James was an important and thoughtful local leader, one of the community's strongest boosters. As the president of the Andrews Industrial Foundation, he attracted Fortune 500 businesses to Andrews, to diversify an economy once dependent on financial fluctuations in the domestic oil industry. James Roberts was also a leader among newspaper editors and publishers throughout the state, serving as president of the Texas Press Association and the West Texas Press Association. With strong community ties, a member of the First Baptist Church, two terms as president of the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, and the 12-year presidency of the Permian Basin Railroad Company, it is no surprise that James had earned early recognition as Andrews' Outstanding Citizen. Just a few days before Christmas, James Roberts passed from this life--a life of community service for the betterment of his neighbors. Mr. Speaker, I believe that Andrews, Texas will always be that community of quality, with credit due to the quality of its people--people like James Roberts.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2534, the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997, and I, as the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith], would like to thank several of my colleagues as well, certainly beginning with the chairman of the committee Mr. Smith, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm], the ranking member of the full committee, and the gentleman from California [Mr. Dooley], ranking member on the subcommittee, for their work and cooperation in bringing this bill to the floor. This bill has been a bipartisan effort from the start, and I have enjoyed working with all parties involved. As chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over ag research programs, I held four hearings this summer to hear testimony from researchers who are involved in ag research, and farmers and others who the research is intended to benefit. We attempted to craft this bill to reflect some of their recommendations. This bill also reflects many recommendations of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is critical that we maintain a strong public and private research effort in order for American agriculture to continue to be profitable and competitive in the global economy of the future. It is not by accident that Americans enjoy the most abundant and affordable supply of food and fiber of any country in the world. More people are fed and clothed today from crops grown with increased efficiency and limited resources. Research efforts have led to a sixfold increase in agricultural productivity over the last 4 decades. Almost 50 years ago the number of people fed by 1 farmer was 15. Today 1 farmer is able to feed 96 other people. Research into farming techniques and improved seed nutrition and nutrients have underwritten the success story of American agriculture. Further, agricultural research is even more critical to support growing populations in the areas of the world which suffer from malnutrition. World demand for food is expected to double by the year 2025. I have said from the start that all the components of our ag research system do an excellent job and are to be commended for their hard work. However, in today's farm policy and budget environment, it is very critical that we ensure that the Government maintains a strong role in ag research to support our farmers and ranchers. I have approached this reauthorization effort with a goal of striving to improve current research efforts and accomplish more with the same or fewer dollars than we have had in the past. This will require research to be conducted in the most efficient manner possible and avoid any duplication of efforts. This bill accomplishes some good and necessary reforms. Frankly, I would have liked to have accomplished even more reform in some of our research programs, but this bill represents the will of our subcommittee and the will of the full committee, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. `Bear'' Mills from Midland, TX for recently receiving the 1997 Texas Elementary School Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Mills was an award winning columnist and radio commentator in Texas and overseas for 10 years before going back to school to obtain his teaching certificate in 1994. After several years of working with educators, including his wife Caryl, Mr. Mills decided education was right for him. Four years later Mr. Mills is the 1997 Texas Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Mr. Mills teaching philosophy is simply. ``If I'm not striving for excellence every single day as a teacher, then what right do I have to expect excellence of my students? '' he says. Being an expert in your field and a strong figure in the classroom are two things Mr. Mills believes creates a good teacher. Mr. Mills is dedicated to strengthening the commitment to basic academics as well as educating our children in safe and nurturing environments. I think as both parties discuss how best to improve our education system we should learn from Mr. Mills' example.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the distinguished chairman and the members of the committee for appropriating $2 million for risk-based research on the effect of toxic chemicals on human health and the environment. This funding is intended for the use by the Institute for Environmental and Human Health, which is located at Reese Air Force Base in my district. The institute was created and implemented by Texas Tech University, which has entered into a cooperative agreement with Brooks Air Force Base to provide multidisciplinary environmental research, education, public outreach, and risk assessment. The primary focus of this institute will be the integration of environmental impact assessment and human health in the context of science-based risk assessment. The institute will provide a critical resource for the Department of Defense as it grapples with significant environmental problems at bases nationwide and abroad. The institute will enable the Department to fulfill several of its stated environmental research and risk assessment needs and goals. In addition, the location of the institute at Reese Air Force base will play a critical role in the redevelopment of Reese Air Force Base and the economic development of the surrounding region. The $2 million appropriation will enable Texas Tech to leverage an additional $4 million in State funds which will be used to address the myriad of environmental concerns in west Texas and throughout the Nation. Madam Speaker, the support of the committee is appreciated. We look forward to working in cooperation with the Department of Defense to achieve significant environmental research and assessment goals.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, the family farm lost one of its very own when Bill Cleavinger passed away after a generation of working the soil, tending to his family, and nurturing his community. Bill remained most at home on the family farm and at his best when he spoke up for farming families. First as Texas Sugar Beet Growers Association president and later executive director, he rose to the position of national spokesman as American Sugarbeet Growers Association president. Because he always lived his life close to farming, folks could readily understand and count on what Bill Cleavinger had to say about production agriculture. As a boy, he helped his father with farm chores, then after college and service in the military, Bill returned to the family farm to work alongside his father. In the rural Panhandle community of Wildorado, Bill and his wife June raised their family on down-to-earth values while they worked the good earth to raise each year's crop. In his life, Bill Cleavinger was father, farmer, school board member, director of church music, and director of a local bank. To those of us who knew him, Bill was much more than those titles could possibly suggest. Even with his passing, there will be a next generation of family farmers who will come to know about men like Bill Cleavinger through an internship established in his name to honor personal leadership, persistence, creativity, patience, and integrity.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to rise today to give tribute to the three women of the Permian Basin who have been presented with the Girl Scout Women of Distinction Award. Shatzie Tighe of Midland, Betsy Triplett-Hurt of Odessa, and Kathlyn Dunagan of Monahans have distinguished themselves as positive role models for young women in their respective areas, and have been honored and recognized for their efforts both locally and now at the State level. In our uncertain world, having positive influences in young people's lives is essential, but making time to spend with young people is not always easy for adults when demands are great. In touching these young women's lives, in helping them to grow into responsible and giving adults, and in giving them the best possible example to follow wherever they live in the future, these Texas women are truly women of distinction and I salute them. I congratulate Shatzie Tighe, Betsy Triplett-Hurt, and Kathlyn Dunagan for their extraordinary efforts and for all they have done for their neighbors, their community, their State, and our Nation.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to give tribute to the three young ladies who have earned the highest award possible for a Girl Scout. The Gold Award is awarded for distinguished achievement and has been presented to Ms. Miranda Peek, Ms. Jacque McAnally, and Ms. Elena Pearce The Gold Award is notable in that its award recognizes those special young women who display great spirit and deep commitment to themselves, their troop, their community, and their Nation. In reaching this Gold Award level, they affirm that they possess two important characteristics which will serve them well in years to come--setting goals and working hard to achieve them. This achievement further recognizes that they have chosen to rise beyond expectations by assuming the responsibility of leadership roles. I wish to congratulate them, their families, and their fellow Scouts, and I wish them nothing but success in any endeavor they undertake in the future.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to bring to the attention of my colleagues several distinguished teachers from the 19th Congressional District of Texas. My home district extends from the Panhandle of Texas through the South Plains to the Permian Basin, and encompasses various cultures, personalities, and dreams. I am pleased to recognize these recipients of the Teacher of the Year Award who enable our students to understand and learn from each other, and strive to achieve their goals. Good teachers nurture our country's best hope for tomorrow, her children. Their perseverance and dedication challenge and shape students to dream, and to work hard to make those dreams come true. Unfortunately, educators toil with little public thanks or appreciation, even though their efforts are essential to a strong future. These teachers, in particular, go beyond the call of duty and wholeheartedly devote themselves to this important mission. It is my pleasure to present to you the 19th District of Texas' Teachers of the Year: Ms. Dee Ann Liles and Ms. Kathleen McDowell, Sunray ISD; Ms. Candace Dyer, Farwell ISD; Mr. W.W. ``Bear'' Mills and Ms. Rebecca T. Watson, Midland ISD; Ms. Narelle Horton, Bushland ISD; Ms. Ann Green, Hartley ISD; Ms. Julie Harris and Ms. Laura Landes, Amarillo ISD; Ms. Pam Perrin, Vega ISD; Ms. Connie Gilbert and Ms. Janie Rendon, Hereford ISD; Ms. Clarice Andres, Slaton ISD; Ms. Sonya Wilson and Dr. David LeMaster, Odessa ISD; and Ms. Jan Morris and Ms. Shelli Stegall, Odessa ISD. As a former teacher, I know firsthand the importance of a quality education; however, it is outstanding teachers like these who strive for excellence, knowing the worth of this goal. I thank these educators for all they do for our children and our Nation.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great honor to give tribute to the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs of Canyon, TX. The Lady Buffs' historic winning season ended with an unfortunate, but hard-fought loss in the quarterfinals of the Elite Eight Tournament to California-Davis. The Lady Buffs, who are led by their coach Bob Schneider, finished the season with 29 victories and only 2 losses. This is the best season that the Lady Buffs have had since the 1990-91 team, and the first time that the Lady Buffs have been in the Elite Eight since the 1987-88 season. As an alumnus of West Texas A&M, I am very proud of the Lady Buffs and their achievement this season. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Lady Buffs on their winning season. They have brought pride and respect to not only their team and coaches, but also to West Texas and the hometowns of all of the players.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, in the history of this great Nation, when threatened by foreign powers, the people of the United States rally, we fight and we win. However, once we have secured the blessings of liberty--or when they are secured for us by previous generations--we are in danger of forgetting to remain vigilant against those very threats to our liberty. Often, when blessed with peace, memories fade. Sometimes forgotten are those who sacrifice to fight against the tyranny of oppression. In Odessa, TX, the Desert Squadron of the Confederate Air Force takes to the air in the surviving military aircraft that helped win the peace in World War II. They fly in honor of those who piloted those aircraft, and in honor of those who were supported by the mighty American air cover. The fact that these aging aircraft can fly at all is at the heart of the mission and the message of the Confederate Air Force Desert Squadron: preparedness and vigilance. For our military veterans, our men and women in uniform today, and the generations who will be entrusted to keep our country strong, keeping these aircraft flying becomes a lesson in history and a means of teaching strength, preparedness, and vigilance in the name of liberty.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, there will be several facilitators from the bipartisan Hershey retreat who will be taking the floor today to talk about the positive things that happened from that meeting. Rather than me telling Members what I thought about it, I thought I would read to them some very quick quotes from Members who were there: ``Pleasantly surprised''; ``Substantive''; ``Very diverse group''; ``Heard things we didn't think we would hear, in a positive sense''; ``People were eager to get into it''; ``Some people began hesitant but were comfortable once we got started''; ``People wanted to come up with ideas that were realistic, that we could accomplish''; ``Very good responses from spouses as well as Members''; ``Ought to continue the bipartisan caucuses''; ``Some of the greatest responses were from some who were the most skeptical''; ``Spouses had great things to say''; ``Good to have practical ideas, not so lofty as changing the spin of the earth''. Mr. Speaker, one of the quotes that I think meant the most to me was among these, ``It almost leads you to believe we could change the House if we put our minds to it.'' Mr. Speaker, it almost does lead you to believe that we could change the House if we put our minds to it.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, the pages of the Congressional Record chronicle two centuries of actions affecting the everyday lives of Americans. Today, I'd like to add to that history with the account of an everyday American who has affected the lives of the needy beyond the boundaries of her community. Carolyn Lanier has for 14 years served as the South Plains Food Bank executive director in Lubbock, TX. Her leadership has brought the food bank from its beginnings as a simple storeroom with shelves of canned goods, to its modern-day operation with refrigeration, a working farm and a dehydration plant. The food bank's success in feeding the needy and in helping other food banks created the necessity for the facility's Breedlove Dehydration Plant. Each day, the South Plains Food Bank under the leadership of Carolyn Lanier, its patrons and the many volunteer workers, feed as many as 16,000 people through 254 charitable agencies in a 20-county area of the vast Texas Panhandle-South Plains- Permian Basin Region. Carolyn is the first to answer the compliment about her service by praising those working with her and the many financial supporters of the South Plains Food Bank. In recognizing those good works, it is helpful for those of us here in Congress and for people who study the pages of the Congressional Record to know that people just like Carolyn Lanier, who was qualified by the experience of feeding and caring for her family, saw a need and a way to help feed and care for an extended family of thousands and thousands she had never met. Carolyn's success--and thus the success of the South Plans Food Bank--comes from her caring and her determined effort. Those seeing the need in their community can take heart from Carolyn's example. And those of us here in Congress seeking ways to meet those needs are gratified by these efforts. Government must be a servant of the people, doing all it can to encourage these charitable works.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. The gentlewoman is correct.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining on both sides?

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum], a member of the committee.

Mr. COMBEST. The gentlewoman is correct.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will continue to yield, one other matter that I think would be pertinent to mention at this time: The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], who in fact at one time was chairman of this committee and was a member of the Iran-Contra Committee, we understand there is a letter on its way to the committee from Mr. Stokes requesting that he be granted access to documents during the time he served as chairman to further investigate part of the Iran-Contra papers. I have discussed this with Mr. Dicks and we have, are going to take that up with the where the committee would have to vote to approve that. The committee will have absolutely no objection to that and will take that up this afternoon at a hearing at 2:00, assuming that we have that letter. So we are trying to move as expeditiously as possible to help Mr. Stokes in his inquiries as well.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, just to make certain that there is a complete record, first of all, all of the assurances that the gentleman from Washington has given, I certainly stand behind and support. Congressman Dixon, a member of our committee, is the first Member of the House that brought this to our attention. I think that was simultaneous with the gentlewoman's understanding of the potential problem. The assurances were given at that time to Congressman Dixon that there would be a complete investigation. The staff was asked to embark immediately on a full, thorough, and tenacious investigation. There are a number of other reports and investigations this committee has done that are not mentioned in this conference report either. So it is not that we are sliding your concerns about this matter. Those are matters that would not be normally brought up in a conference report. I would also like to mention to the gentlewoman, and, Mr. Speaker, I will include in the Record a letter that the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] sent to me, a response that I sent to her in regard to the committee's actions and the fact that the Central Intelligence Agency had begun an IG's report, had also contacted the Attorney General as well; and a letter to me from the Speaker in which he references a contact that he had received from Ms. Waters and his concerns and his requests that the committee report back to the Speaker, who is ex officio on this committee as well, so that there is a complete paper trail in this discussion on the part of the Congressional Record about the committee's interests, the Speaker's interest, the gentlewoman's interest, the interest of the gentleman from Washington, Congressman Dixon's interest. It is a matter that I hope as well does not prove true, but it is not one that we have any preconceived discussions or decisions about. We will investigate it with all vigor. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the letters to which I referred: Office of the Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, September 18, 1996. Hon. Larry Combest, Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Combest: Enclosed is a letter and enclosures I have received from Congresswoman Maxine Waters concerning a recent series of articles that appeared in the San Jose Mercury News that allege CIA involvement in the introduction, financing and distribution of crack cocaine in Los Angeles. I request that your committee investigate the allegations contained in these articles in an effort to determine the truth of the matter. I would appreciate your reporting to me the findings and conclusions of your investigation as soon as they are available. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House. Enclosure. U.S. House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Washington, DC. September 18, 1996. Hon. Maxine Waters, Cannon Building, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Waters: I am writing in response to your letter of September 17, 1996, concerning press allegations about CIA assets being involved in crack cocaine distribution in California. I have already instructed the staff of the Intelligence Committee to investigate these allegations and have sent letters to DCI Deutch and Attorney General Reno requesting the cooperation of their agencies with our efforts. I know you have seen the press reports that DCI Deutch has instructed the CIA Inspector General to investigate these allegations as well. I think this is a worthwhile step. It has been Committee practice to withhold any final statements on issues of this sort until the Inspector General has reported. I think it is prudent that we follow this course on this issue. I understand your concern and appreciate your interest. Please feel free to contact me or the Committee staff director, Mark Lowenthal, if we may be of further help on this matter. Sincerely, Larry Combest, Chairman.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman from New Mexico that this is the first time I have ever been commended for my liberal views, but I appreciate that. I would be remiss as well, and was planning to rise to pay commendation to the gentleman from New Mexico. I have served with him the entire time I have been on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In fact, I think the gentleman from New Mexico is serving continuously longer than any other member of the committee. He has done yeoman work which not only the Congress but the American people are aware of and has traveled extensively, probably our most extensive traveler, but he is quite successful. The only thing I have ever asked of Mr. Richardson when he travels is he bring more back than he took with him, and he has done a great job.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?