Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. If I may reclaim my time, which is limited, there is nothing more important than national defense. That is the purpose of a Federal Government. That is why we are all here. Everything else is in addition thereto. Further, if carries out the spirit of the Constitution, the buck stops with us here in Congress article I, section 8. Further, the President still has the right to veto an entire bill. He can still do that and come back and cause us to pass the entire bill. We are losing nothing by passing this. We are keeping the prerogatives of the U.S. Congress. I think it should be passed. I would hope it would be passed unanimously. But I appreciate the gentleman's comments.

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Pennsylvania. His proposed amendment to my amendment corrects the debate that we have just heard. I gladly accept it, and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards] tells me he also accepts it. We appreciate the gentleman's hard work and the sincerity and the research that he has done and just offered us on the floor. And we thank him.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker today I wish to pay tribute to a great Missourian, Proctor Carter, who recently passed away. Born on April 10, 1907, this former World War II Army veteran, served the State of Missouri as the director of State division of welfare for 27 years, the longest tenure served by any welfare director in the United States. Educated at the University of Missouri, Carter received a bachelor's degree in journalism, and a master's degree in art. He worked for 1 year at United Press International in Dallas, TX. After that he was assistant to the administrator for the Missouri Relief Commission, and an assistant administrator of the State Social Security Commission. In 1946 he became the director of the State division of welfare. After his retirement, Carter was a consultant to the Missouri Senate, informing on welfare legislation and appropriations. Carter was also an active member of the Academy of Missouri Squires, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the American Public Welfare Association. I urge my colleagues to join me in sending sympathy to his two sons, Robert Joe Carter and John Wallace Carter. A wonderful friend and community leader, Proctor Carter will be missed by all who knew him.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay tribute to a former Secretary of the Navy, Edward Hidalgo, who recently passed away. Hidalgo, who served the Navy as the Secretary from 1979 to 1981 was also a lawyer in Washington who specialized in international corporate law. Hidalgo, born in Mexico City, came to the United States in 1918 and grew up in New York. He graduated magna cum laude from Holy Cross College in 1933 and in 1936 he graduated from Columbia University Law School. He received another law degree in civil law from the University of Mexico Law School. He practiced law in New York before his service in the Navy. He began his service in the Navy in 1942, during World War II, during which time he was assigned to the State Department where he was a legal advisor in 1942 and 1943. He was later assigned to the Pacific as an air combat intelligence officer aboard the carrier Enterprise. Hidalgo received the Bronze Star for his service. Following World War II, in 1945, he worked on the Eberstadt Committee on the unification of the Armed Services. He was special assistant to Navy Secretary James Forrestal in 1945 and 1946. After which he continued to practice international law in Mexico and then Paris. Hidalgo became the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for manpower, reserve affairs, and logistics in 1977. In October 1979, he became the Secretary of the Navy. Edward Hidalgo not only faithfully served this country throughout his lifetime, but lived his life to the fullest in all that he partook. I urge my colleagues to join me in sending sympathy to the members of his family that he leaves. Survivors include his wife, Belinda, four children, and six grandchildren.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor a great Missourian, Darlene Greenwell for years of dedication and hard work as circuit clerk for the Bates County Circuit Court. Darlene Greenwell of Adrian, MO, recently retired after a lifetime of unrelenting work to foster the effectual supervision of justice in her community. Darlene Greenwell was not only committed to her work, but has given many years to volunteer work within her community. She has served as president and a member of the Bates County Democrat Women's Club and Beta Sigma Phi, a member of the Adrian Christian Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and NARFE. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Darlene Greenwell for her many years of leadership and service to her community. I bid best wishes for a happy and prosperous retirement.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on December 22, 1994 an article appeared in the Windsor Review, a newspaper in the Fourth Congressional District of the State of Missouri. The article, entitled ``B-2 Has Phenomenal First Year At Whiteman Air Force Base,'' examines the first year accomplishments of the B-2 stealth bomber. I enter the article into the Congressional Record: The 509th Bomb Wing has flown 114 of 120 planned sorties, with an astounding reliability rate of 95 percent, since the Air Force's first B-2 stealth bomber winged its way from its birthplace in Palmdale, California, to its new home near Dec. 17 last year. That equals more than 380 flying hours for all four aircraft. The 509th got off to a phenomenal start by flying the ``Spirit of Missouri'' on its first training mission just five days short of its arrival at Whiteman. Since that time, the ``Spirit of Missouri'' has been joined by the ``Spirit of California'', ``Spirit of Texas'', and ``Spirit of Washington'' as the 509th progresses toward becoming the first fully operational B-2 wing in the Air Force. The wing initially trained two instructor pilots at Whiteman, and four more instructor pilots in the first class have recently completed their checkrides. The second and third class have begun training. By the end of 1994, the 509th will be able to point with pride to eight instructor pilots who have completed basic qualification. ``I'm extremely pleased with the Whiteman team and excited about the future of the B-2'' said Brigadier General Ronald C. Marcotte, 509th Bomb Wing Commander. ``Our goal is to make the B-2 and Whiteman AFB the crown jewel of national defense. I think we're well on our way. In September, the 509th completed its first operation delivery of munitions at the Air Force's Utah Teat and Training Range. The ``Spirit of California'' delivered two inert Mark-84 2,000-pound bombs against targets located at Barker Strong Point on the Utah range. ``We were on target and on time'' said Colonel William M. Fraser III, 509th Operations Group commander. ``It was the culmination of many months of training for the entire 509th team. We exercised our mission planning program as well as our weapons load and aircraft preparation.'' Six weapons load crews have been trained and certified in the past year. While the ``Spirit of California'' demonstrated the B-2's munitions delivery capability, the ``Spirit of Missouri'' began its first phase inspection. A phase inspection is a scheduled inspection that looks at the entire airplane for any signs of damage, usually in the form of corrosion, cracks, or unexpected wear and tear. The B-2 has more than 1,200 items that must be inspected. The whole process takes about 44 working days. ``Our plan is to use this phase as a benchmark for future phases,'' said Colonel Henry L. Taylor, 509th Logistics Group commander. ``We want to improve the process so we can reduce the time needed for phase inspections and return the planes to the 393d Bomb Squadron as quickly as we can safely do it.'' As Whiteman team members work to make the B-2 the cornerstone of national defense, they are also deactivating 113 Minuteman II missiles in accordance with the START treaty, and welcomed the 442nd Reserve Wing and its fleet of 22 A-10's from Richards-Gebaur AFB, Mo. The conversions required $120 million in construction projects. ``Without the support of our community partners and taxpayers, especially those who live and work around Whiteman we could not have achieved the accomplishments of the past year,'' Marcotte said. ``We've worked, not only at building solid relationships with our civilian friends and neighbors. Everyone has been tremendously supportive and we're off to a great start.'' The future of the B-2 and Whiteman looks bright. ``The B-2 is the cornerstone of America's global power of tomorrow. It's a critical component that will enable us to meet the enormous challenges to world peace in the 21st century,'' Marcotte said. ``And as our 509th motto says: Follow Us.''

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay tribute to former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred L. Henley, who recently passed away in Jefferson City, MO. Born October 25, 1911, in Caruthersville, MO, Chief Justice Henley was an outstanding Missourian who served many appointments within the Missouri justice system. In 1934, he received his bachelor of laws degree from Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN. In 1935 he was admitted to the Missouri bar. Ten years later he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. He established a general law practice in Caruthersville, MO in 1936. That same year he was elected city attorney, a position he held for 3 years. In 1939, he was appointed city counselor. He was city counselor until 1942 when he went to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps, in 1946 he was commissioned a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. After his military service, Henley served as judge of the 38th Judicial Circuit from October 1955 to February 1960. Afterwards returning to private practice forming the firm Henley and Fowlkes. Appointed chairman of the Missouri State Highway Commission in December 1961, a position he served until April 1964 when he was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court. Originally appointed by Governor John M. Dalton, Henley remained on the court for a 12-year term that ended in December 1978. From 1969 throughout 1971, he served the court as Chief Justice. Judge Henley also belonged to, and led, many civic and fraternal organizations within his community. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. Other organizations include, Caruthersville Lodge No. 461, A.F. & A.M.; and Missouri Consistory No. 1, M.R.S.; the Moolah Temple, St. Louis; Post 88 of the American Legion in Pemiscot County; the American Bar Association; and the Missouri Bar Association; the 38th Judicial Circuit Bar Association; the Caruthersville Rotary Club; the Caruthersville Board of Education; the Pemiscot County Chapter of the American Red Cross. A devoted person in all he undertook, Judge Henley will be missed by all who knew him. I urge my colleagues to join me in my condolences to the family that he leaves. Survivors include three daughters, Sally Kate Sisson, Lynda Wayne Walters, and Karen Janet grandchildren.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to name the Navy's new aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Harry S Truman. On April 12, 1995, we will mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Truman Presidency. I can think of no finer tribute to this great Missourian--the 33d President of the United States--than to name this ship in his honor. Harry Truman became President at a critical point in our Nation's history. But he took charge of the office in a decisive manner, leading us through the end of World War II, the reconstruction of Europe, and our conversion to a peacetime economy. While hard-working and decisive, his strength also lay in his commonplace, down-to-earth approach to life. He always spoke in plain, uncomplicated language, and accepted total responsibility for his actions. This was shown by that famous plaque he kept on his desk, stating: ``The buck stops here.'' We already have five carriers named for former Presidents. Naming a ship after Harry S Truman is long overdue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.