congressional_record: CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2143-2
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| CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2143-2 | 2006-12-08 | 109 | 2 | HONORING REPRESENTATIVES J.D. HAYWORTH AND JIM RYUN | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | HONORING | E2143 | E2143 | [{"name": "Cliff Stearns", "role": "speaking"}] | 152 Cong. Rec. E2143 | Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006) [Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E2143] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING REPRESENTATIVES J.D. HAYWORTH AND JIM RYUN ______ HON. CLIFF STEARNS of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of working with some great men and women over my years in Congress, and I rise today to pay my respect to two of my colleagues who will be leaving at the end of this year: Representatives J.D. Hayworth and Jim Ryun. Anyone who has worked with J.D. Hayworth can readily testify that he is a charismatic man of many talents. His career in Congress has been highlighted by his leadership on immigration reform, advocacy for enhanced border security and prioritization of national security in these threatening times. In addition, he has received the ``Taxpayer Hero'' award from Citizens Against Government Waste 10 times, and was recently awarded the ``Lifetime Tax Fighter'' award from the National Tax Limitation Committee. He has also worked tirelessly for protection of children. His provisions for a centralized law enforcement database of child abusers strengthened the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which President Bush signed into law this July. These are some of the many distinctive achievements of J.D. Hayworth as a public official, but many may not know some of the unique characteristics he possesses as an individual. I got to know J.D. better when I went and campaigned for him. I met his wonderful family and enjoyed their warm hospitality during my times in Arizona. He is a loving family man with a great sense of humor. Many may not be aware of one of his unique talents. He has an uncanny ability to mimic the speech of other Members. His impersonation of Representative Howard Coble in particular is one of the best I have ever heard. I greatly respect J.D., will sorely miss him, and I hope he will consider returning to public office sometime in the near future. I would also like to take a moment to honor Representative Jim Ryun. He has greatly impressed me with his leadership--both in his public office and in his personal life. He has fervently worked for traditional family values, fiscal responsibility, immigration reform, and improving the lives of our men and women in uniform. For several years now, he worked to pass the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act, which protects service members from coercive tactics employed by some credit institutions. This legislation overwhelmingly passed the House and paved the way for its companion legislation to be signed into law this past September. I was also impressed and touched by his eloquence during the debate on the Respect for Fallen Heroes Act when he stated, ``Our service members embody the exact opposite of hate by sacrificing their lives so that we can keep ours. I pay tribute to them . . .'' It is this selflessness and integrity that has made it a pleasure to work with him. It is also an honor to know him as a friend. Jim is a committed family man. He and his wife Anne have worked as a ``dynamic duo'' to strengthen and promote family values through their work with the Statesmen Leaders Conference and the Congressional Wives' Club. He is most famously identified as the man who broke the 4-minute mile, an incredible feat of athleticism that many of us, myself included, wish we could replicate. But I would not identify him that way. Instead, I would identify him most readily with his faith, for that is how he lives his life. I have had the pleasure of attending many Bible studies with him here at the Capitol, and I have found the source of his strength of character stems from his deep faith in God. His love for God and his fellow man has inspired many of us, and led some to a deeper relationship with God themselves. I value the time I have had to work with Jim. I will miss his calming presence and insight in the 110th Congress, and I pray that God blesses him and his family in his future endeavors. ____________________ |