congressional_record: CREC-2010-12-22-pt1-PgE2244-4
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| CREC-2010-12-22-pt1-PgE2244-4 | 2010-12-22 | 111 | 2 | HONORING THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHAIRMAN DAVID OBEY OF WISCONSIN | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | HONORING | E2244 | E2244 | [{"name": "Betty McCollum", "role": "speaking"}] | 156 Cong. Rec. E2244 | Congressional Record, Volume 156 Issue 173 (Wednesday, December 22, 2010) [Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 173 (Wednesday, December 22, 2010)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E2244] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHAIRMAN DAVID OBEY OF WISCONSIN ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, with the conclusion of the 111th Congress, a career of extraordinary public service in the House of Representatives comes to an end. My colleague, friend and mentor-- Chairman David Obey--is concluding his career in Congress representing the families of northwestern Wisconsin that began in 1969. For twenty terms, David Obey has been a liberal champion and a fierce defender of workers and their families. He has been a passionate and effective legislator for right of all Americans to access quality health care and education. And, in the realm of U.S. foreign policy, Chairman Obey has a lifetime record of always striving to advance human dignity, peace, and the highest ideals of the American people around the world. It has been my privilege to serve in this House with Rep. Obey for the past ten years--one-quarter of his congressional career. For the past four years, I had the honor of serving on the House Appropriations Committee, calling the gentleman from Wisconsin ``Mr. Chairman.'' I have watched David Obey work--work hard, tirelessly, and with tremendous determination and intellect--to advance an agenda that makes the lives of regular Americans the highest priority of the federal government. Chairman Obey always fought for the less fortunate, the vulnerable, those struggling for an opportunity to succeed, and to ensure those who have made this country great with their toil and sacrifice in the factory, the farm field, or on the battlefield. He fought so they too could live and retire with security, respect, and dignity. It is often said that Mr. Obey was tough and rough on the outside, but I always found him to be a kind, warm soul who knew the importance and magnitude of his responsibilities and carried them out with the humble expertise of a legislative master. ``I started as a shy boy from a troubled family of modest means,'' Rep. Obey once said. Well, that shy boy has made a lifetime of contributions to our country that will be judged by history as both profound and far reaching. People who will never know David Obey are living better lives with more opportunities because of him. The State of Wisconsin and the United States are better places because of his years of service in the U.S. House. As a Wisconsin Progressive in the tradition of Robert LaFollette, Rep. Obey has never shied away from calling out injustice or just plain dumb policymaking. In his book, ``Raising Hell for Justice,'' he reminds citizens and policymakers that ``federal budgets that pay for tax cuts for millionaires with budget cuts in education, Medicaid, child care, and health care are not just unfair; they are immoral.'' This quote was again put to the test only last week as Chairman Obey voted against extending massive tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. I was proud to join Chairman Obey in opposing this tax cut for the wealthy that only continues the disturbing pattern of income re-distribution away from working families and towards a class of economic elites. As the longest serving Member of Congress in Wisconsin history, I know David spent far too much time away from his wife, Joan, and their family. I wish David, Joan, and their sons' families many happy days together in the coming years. In conclusion, let me simply say--Mr. Chairman, you have served our country so very well. It is personally difficult to see you leave, but your lifetime of service will live on in the lives of millions of Americans whose lives you have helped to improve. As a colleague and a friend, you have made me a better legislator and for that I am grateful to you. ____________________ |