Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 9, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly outstanding naval officer, Adm. Ronald J. ``Zap'' Zlatoper, who will soon be completing his assignment as the 27th Commander in Chief of our U.S. Pacific Fleet and retiring from active naval service. It is a pleasure for me to recognize a few of his many outstanding achievements. A native of Cleveland, OH, Admiral Zlatoper was commissioned in 1963 through the naval ROTC program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He was assigned to Attack Squadron 65 from 1965 to 1968, where he flew the A-6 Intruder on combat missions over North Vietnam. In subsequent assignments, he served in Attack Squadron 42 and Attack Squadron 34. In 1978 he served as executive officer and then commanding officer of Attack Squadron 85. In senior operational assignments during the 1980's, Admiral Zlatoper commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 aboard U.S.S. America (CV-66), served as senior Air Wing Commander of Carrier Air Wing 15 in U.S.S. Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and was chief of staff to commander Seventh Fleet aboard U.S.S. Blue Ridge (LCC-19). After selection for rear admiral in 1988, he was assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval Personnel. In July 1990 he took command of Carrier Group Seven, homeported in San Diego. Five months later, commanding the eight ships of the U.S.S. Ranger (CV-61) battle group, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Under his leadership, the battle group executed the first cruise missile and aircraft attacks on Iraqi forces. As the antisurface warfare commander, he was responsible for the destruction of the Iraqi Navy, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal for his accomplishments. In 1991 Admiral Zlatoper was promoted to vice admiral. He became the Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower and Personnel. In 1994 he was promoted to admiral, and he was assigned as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Admiral Zlatoper brilliantly led naval forces in the Pacific. Admiral Zlatoper's genuine concern for the quality of life of sailors and their families was evident in notable improvements in their working and living conditions throughout the Pacific. During his stellar naval career, Admiral Zlatoper has been awarded over 20 personal decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; and Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat ``V''); plus various campaign and unit awards. Admiral Zlatoper, his wife Barry, and their two children Ashley and Michael, have made many sacrifices during his 33-year naval career. ``Zap'' Zlatoper is a tremendous credit to the U.S. Navy and the country he so proudly serves. As he now prepares to embark on a second successful career, I call upon my colleagues to wish him every success as well as fair winds and following seas.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a dedicated Missourian, Charles Braithwait, who will retire this year from his position as executive director of West Central Missouri Community Action Agency. Mr. Braithwait is employed as the first and thus far the only executive director of the West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, having held the position since June 1966. Under Mr. Braithwait's direction, West Central Missouri Community Action Agency has grown from a limited purpose agency with an initial grant of $50,000 to a multifaceted community-based organization with an annual operating budget of more than $12 million. West Central Missouri Community Action Agency provides a full array of services for low- income clients in 15 Missouri counties. Charles Braithwait has also served as the chairman of the Local Area Manpower Planning Board, chairman of the Local Council on Aging, chairman of the Local Central Board for Distance Learning, member of the Local Private Industry Council, president of the Missouri Community Action Agencies Executive Directors Association, member of the Missouri Governor's Commission on Energy Conservation, member of the Missouri State Housing Committee, member of the Missouri Association for Community Action Board of Directors, member of the Midwest Assistance Program Board of Directors, president of the National Community Action Agencies Executive Directors Association, president of the National Community Action Foundation, member of President Ford's National Advisory Council on Economic Development, member of the National Association for Community Development Board of Directors, member of the National Action Committee for Community Services Board of Directors, member of the Office of Community Services Task Force on Monitoring and Assessment. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues in the House will want to join me in commending Charles Braithwait for the outstanding public service he has given to the people of Missouri, and our country.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an outstanding American, an outstanding soldier, an outstanding general who has been a principal architect of our Army's transformation to meet the challenges of the changing post-cold war world. On September 27, 1996, Lt. Gen. Theodore G. Stroup, Jr. retires after over 34 years of dedicated service to America and our great Army. Throughout his career, Ted Stroup has provided forward-looking leadership characterized by a unique intellect and strategic vision, coupled with a full understanding that quality soldiers are the essence of our Army. As we honor his retirement, we note that General Stroup's distinguished career has stretched over three and one-half decades, culminating in his service these past 2 years as the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. In this position, General Stroup has been responsible for the plans, policies, and programs for management of all the Army's military personnel, both Active and Reserves. He served as a key and trusted advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the chief of staff. Ted was born in St. Petersburg, FL. Graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1962, he began his career as a lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. His first assignment was as a combat engineer platoon leader with the 7th Infantry Division, in Korea. He saw his first fighting as the commander of a combat engineer company in Vietnam, and while leading his soliders in that capacity, Ted was severely wounded. His distinguished career includes assignments all over the world. A graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College, he served as the director of military science courses at the U.S. Military Academy. Before returning for his second assignment to Washington, he commanded the Corps of Engineers' Fort Worth District. General Stroup then moved back to the Army's headquarters to serve as executive officer to the vice chief of staff and took a key leadership position in the Army's Headquarters Reorganization Study Group. In this capacity, he was a principal designer of the Army's organizational adjustments to incorporate the provisions of the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act. This tour would be the first in a decade-long series of postings in which General Stroup continually played a pivotal role in reshaping the Army. As deputy chief of staff for Resource Management in the Training and Doctrine Command, he worked to provide resources for the development of future Army doctrine and for the dissemination of the doctrine through publications and formal training at all levels of the Army. He then served as the director of military personnel management on the Army staff, working day by day to provide personnel support for the Desert Storm victory and at the same time laying the foundations for the imminent reshaping of the Army's forces. General Stroup was next selected to serve as the Army's director of program analysis and evaluation. Drawing on his long experience and strategic vision, he worked to craft a sequence of Army programs that would transform the Army into the versatile post-cold war force we see evolving today. He then moved to his current assignment as the deputy chief of staff for personnel. In this role he has not only developed and executed plans for an orderly and compassionate reduction of the Army's forces, but also started the Army's future personnel and leader development programs on the path to full development and implementation. Through it all, Ted Stroup has consistently delivered professional, selfless service to our Nation. A leader of extraordinary intellect, with vision and dedication to match, General Stroup has always remembered that our Army consists first and foremost of soldiers. Mindful of this, he has dedicated his career to caring for his soldiers. He has done this both directly and by developing programs to provide for their recruitment, development, and training. We offer our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes to Ted Stroup: a soldier who has served his country and its soldiers in a most admirable way.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, for American uniformed personnel currently deployed overseas in contingencies such as Bosnia, Korea, the Sinai, and Saudi Arabia, I rise in support of this conference agreement, and urge my colleagues to work towards this passage. This agreement addresses my personal concern about the way in which military personnel may be employed in the future. It contains necessary funding for today's readiness and quality-of-life matters and, no less importantly, accelerates critical military programs of tomorrow, allowing for purchases of new equipment sooner rather than later.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute Wendell Rayburn, president of Lincoln University, who will be leaving after 8\1/2\ years of service. A leader in education in our State, President Rayburn has also been active in the community of Jefferson City. His most important achievement has been his commitment to greater stress on scholarship and academics. President Rayburn successfully led Lincoln University from its budget deficit and put it on a solid fiscal basis. Further, his leadership led to new construction and higher level of maintenance. Dormitories were renovated and a new library was completed. Also he introduced new technology into the classroom. Wendell Rayburn's leadership and commitment to excellence will be missed.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Wendell Rayburn, president of Lincoln University, who will be leaving after 80\1/2\ years of service. A leader in education in our State, President Rayburn has also been active in the community of Jefferson City. His most important achievement has been his commitment to greater stress on scholarship and academics. President Rayburn successfully led Lincoln University from its budget deficit and put it on a solid fiscal basis. Further, his leadership led to new construction and higher level of maintenance. Dormitories were renovated and a new library was completed. Also he introduced new technology into the classroom. Wendell Rayburn's leadership and commitment to excellence will be missed.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega]. (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Wise].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I will yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Rahall].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Hefner]. (Mr. HEFNER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we continue for 1 hour and that I control the remainder of the time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Bryant].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Smith].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity and the privilege for some 7 to 8 years to ride to and from McLean, VA to the Capitol with my fellow Missourian, Bill Emerson. We would start out the day, we would solve all of the problems of the world and, unfortunately, by the time we went back to our houses in the evening together, all of the problems would fall apart. He was a wonderful companion, a wonderful friend. Memory and friendship are funny things. They go hand-in-hand. I will long remember the discussions we had: Political, legislative, Missouri, Westminster College, where he went to school; families, angels, agriculture, Fort Leonard Wood, the gamut of subjects was nearly covered by our conversations. It was always in a spirit of warmth, joviality, kindness, and yes, vision, that he spoke of things we discussed. This is a fitting tribute, and I compliment the gentleman from St. Louis, MO, Mr. Clay for bringing it to the floor, for Bill Emerson will long be remembered in this body, but he will long be remembered at home where he really cared for the people that he represented. He talked about them. He told me stories about them. He was proud of them. He liked to talk about the unusual legislation that he had from time to time, the wild horses bill and how the bureaucrats were trying to do them in and how he won that here on the floor. How proud he was of his family, those wonderful four young ladies and his lovely wife, Jo Ann. Bill Emerson will long be remembered, not just as a legislator, not just as one who was a child of this House, knowing that he started out as a page here, but he will long be remembered by so many of us as a warm and good and decent friend. I am so pleased and honored to have walked along life's pathway with him through those years.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Johnston].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Richardson].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed this afternoon tributes to a wonderful American, great Missourian, Bill Emerson. I have not seen such an outpouring in my time here in the Congress of the United States. Habit is a funny thing. Habits sometimes become a ritual. To and from work, driving from McLean, as we did nearly every day, in the morning when he would come by the House, ``Billy,'' ``Mr. Ike,'' then the conversation was off and we would visit all the way down, trying to solve problems, discussing everything from family to friends to work for the people we represented. Then at night we would drive back and getting ready to get out, the conversation would be, ``What time tomorrow?'' ``7:20.'' ``7:20.'' ``Good night, Bill. 7:20.'' We will always fondly remember that wonderful Missourian, Bill Emerson. I also wish to thank the gentleman from St. Louis, MO, [Mr. Clay], for initiating this resolution. It is certainly thoughtful of him to do so and to allow us to participate.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Tanner].

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 459.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend Bill Emerson, who died Saturday night at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. Bill was a truly outstanding legislator who was a great credit to Missouri and to our Nation. He made public service his life. He reflected all that is good in the political arena. Although he was of one political party and I of another, this fact never interfered with our friendship. He stood by his principles and fought hard, but political differences never became personal with him. He was a person filled with honor, one whose word was good. He reflected the people in his district. He was so proud of Missouri. He was also so very proud of his alma mater, Westminster College in Fulton, MO. The country lost an excellent Congressman, Missouri lost an excellent Representative, and I lost a warm friend. I know that all of my colleagues join me in extending condolences to his wife, Jo Ann, and to his daughters Elizabeth, Abigail, Victoria, and Katharine.