Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. That is correct.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, in the moment that we have remaining, I would suggest that we join together in opposing the Dellums-Montgomery substitute in order to support our colleague on this side of the aisle.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate my colleague, the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Richardson] allowing me a little time to rise with the many friends of Bob Lagomarsino and just express a few thoughts about the fantastic years of service I have experienced with Bob as well as his bride, Norma Lagomarsino. It was my privilege to work with Bob when he was a member of the State senate. The first time one ever met Bob in public affairs, it was hard not to realize he is a guy who recognized that public affairs is not driven by pure partisanship in most issues. He realized that working together we can solve all kinds of problems, and he came to Washington with that commitment. It does not surprise me to see this ovewhelming kind of groundswell of bipartisan recognition of his great service here. Bob Lagomarsino was a Californian first and foremost. He focused on California issues through his public service. His leadership in the environmental community is well known by all those who pay attention to the problems and challenges that we face there. He was also, however, a great leader in the field of foreign affairs. Bob is a man who recognized that America should be united when we leave our waterfront, and his leadership and voice, recognizing the importance of bipartisanship in that field, was most important. Bob Lagomarsino is exactly the kind of American we need in the Halls of Congress. It is my privilege to rise among his former colleagues today to express my well wishes to him and Norma as they go forward in continuing public service. I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California, Elton Gallegly, for this effort and am pleased to join him in support of this legislation.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring to your attention today a remarkable group of individuals who recently made the citizens of Needles, CA particularly proud. I am speaking of the Needles High School varsity football team--the Mustangs--who will be remembered not for their record but for the fact that they played like champions all season. To me, and many others, they are winners in every sense of the word. The Mustangs, who started the season with only 18 players, worked extremely hard to represent their school but suffered a number of heartbreaking injuries during the season. In fact, in one game, 9 members of the team played every single play of the game on offense and defense because injuries left the team with only 13 players dressed to play. For most of the season, the squad was outmanned, undersized, and overwhelmed by larger schools. But the Mustangs never quit. They fought hard and, more importantly, played with heart, winning the respect of their families, opposing coaches, and the entire community. It would have been easy for these kids to give up going into their last game of the season winless. But they didn't. Because they would not ever quit, the Mustangs fought for every yard and persevered in the face of adversity, winning a hard fought contest, 25 to 18. When the final gun had sounded, one would have thought they had won the Super Bowl. I guess in many respects they did. Most inspiring was the fact that these young men, all from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, demonstrated what it means to work together, to continue to work hard, and to never give up. Their committee, courage, and determination provides an example for us all to admire, and emulate. They are our greatest hope for the future of Needles and the future of our country. To me, and the many people who make Needles their home, it was truly a championship year. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, and the many friends of the Needles Mustangs in recognizing their commitment to winning on and off the field. They have taught all of us many things and are certainly worthy of recognition by the House today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention the fine work and outstanding public service of Mr. Doug Rowand of Highland, CA. Doug, a dedicated professional and longtime community activist, has recently completed his term as president of the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce. Doug's accomplishments at the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce are well known. First elected to serve as vice president in 1992, and later elected president, Doug's tenure is marked by a number of impressive accomplishments. His leadership has resulted in increased chamber membership, actively promoted economic development and business retention in the community, held numerous candidate forums, and surveyed the membership on the direction of the chamber. He has also organized a number of successful community events including the Fourth of July parade, the Highland Community Pride Rally, and the annual Christmas decorating contest. Over the years, Doug has been actively involved in a number of civic and community-based organizations. Last year, he was selected to serve on the board of directors of the Volunteer Center of the Inland Empire and was appointed by the mayor of San Bernardino to serve on the Community Development Citizen's Advisory Committee to make recommendations on community development block grant funds. Since 1991, Doug has served on the board of directors of Los Padrinos, an organization which provides counseling and work experience for hard core gang members and at-risk youth. From 1990 to 1993, he also served on the board of directors of Bethlehem House, a home for abused women and children which was recognized by President Bush and his Points of Light program. In addition, he has served on the board of directors of the Arrowhead United Way and the Highland Senior Center. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, and Doug's many friends in recognizing his many fine achievements and selfless contributions. He has touched the lives of many people and it is only fitting that the House recognize him today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Tom Ewing, I very much appreciate your yielding me this time, and especially appreciate having this special order in memory of Ed Madigan. Ed Madigan was one of the greatest Secretaries of Agriculture that this country will ever have. Ed Madigan was one of the finest human beings that one could ever hope to meet. Much has been said about his hometown of Lincoln, IL, and the parallel between Ed and other great leaders from his State. Ed Madigan was, first and foremost a member of the House. Nobody, but nobody, in my experience reflected more the qualities and the mix of talent and personality that makes a great Congressman than Ed Madigan. I must say that my picture of him at this moment was back there behind the rail off the House floor. I was a new Member coming from California, frustrated by the longstanding minority status that we experienced in the House. New Members, who served in their own State legislature as Ed did, quickly learned that you didn't have much to say around this place being in the minority. Ed saw my frustration, came up to me one day, and suggested that I spend some time working within his circle, within the leadership. He took me to the Research Committee and to other jobs and together we worked for almost a decade on the Republican side of the aisle within the Republican leadership. Most importantly, Ed Madigan was a leader in the House who recognized that beyond the responsibilities we had in terms of partisan battle, most of our challenges had little to do with partisan politics. For he was a policymaker, a guy who wanted to make a difference in people's lives by way of shaping public policy. Because of that, he had great respect on both sides of the aisle. As has been indicated, he was a workhorse, not a show horse. Rarely did Ed Madigan just quickly get up to speak on an issue. But because he seldom spoke, he was always listened to with great care by those Members who knew of his talent and his background and the seriousness with which he took issues that he chose to speak about. In California, there is on the front of one of our buildings a statement that we should bring men to match our mountains. In Ed Madigan, we saw the greatest of leaders. He will be greatly missed by his friends. I hope there are friends beyond his work that will remember that Ed had a great sense of humor. It was wry and quiet, but a real sense of humor. The part of that that strikes me most and that I would like to leave my colleagues with is that Ed Madigan was one of those great leaders who understood the value and very much appreciated the importance of our being willing to laugh at ourselves. His stories, his jokes, his humor often centered around all of us needing to recognize how important it is that we take time out and appreciate laughing at ourselves. We will miss you, Ed.