March 22, 2000 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 3345 in education because many years ago she best left to the American people, acting Holmgren was growling into his headset, and was the little girl whom I escorted to a junior through the Congress, to make. The stakes offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick was high school dance. are so high and the potential impacts so great preparing to vent his frustrations. As the linemen took a seat on the bench, f because national security, national competi- McKittrick stared down at veterans Guy tiveness in the global market place, national McIntyre, Bubba Paris and Jesse Sapolu and UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF health and welfare, and economic well-being ENGINEERS said calmly, ‘‘You three might want to start of the Midwest grain producers, just to men- praying about now.’’ Then he turned to Bar- tion a few considerations are at stake. And I, ton. ‘‘And Harris,’’ McKittrick added, ‘‘if you HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR. as a member of this body, stand ready to re- know a Jewish prayer, you might want to OF ALABAMA view all of the alternatives and to make the say it.’’ Without swearing, getting personal or rais- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES difficult decisions that are necessary to serve ing his voice, McKittrick, a former Marine Wednesday, March 22, 2000 our great nation and the needs of my constitu- who makes Chris Rock seem vague and indi- ents. Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I have worked rect, had delivered a sharp motivational There are many outstanding public servants, message. The linemen buckled down, Mon- with the United States Army Corps of Engi- military and civilian, involved in this and other tana threw four touchdown passes in the neers for my entire service in Congress. I Corps studies. I support the Corps’ process fourth quarter, and San Francisco won by 10. have always found the integrity of the Corps and urge my colleagues to join me in express- The next day McKittrick called Montana beyond question. I have great confidence in ing confidence that the Corps, working to- into an offensive line meeting and apologized the Corps, including an outstanding group of gether with all of the interest groups, as it has for the breakdown in protection. Montana people who work in the Huntsville, Alabama, shrugged it off, but word got around, giving so often in the past for great national benefit, players another reason to respect a man who Division office of the Corps. will produce recommendations from the Upper Serious charges have been laid on the mili- may be the most successful position coach of Mississippi and Illinois Navigation Study that his era. tary leadership of the Corps by some in the will stand the test of time. In a business in which coaches get relo- press recently. These claims about the sound- f cated, recycled and removed as a matter of ness of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River course, McKittrick, 63, has been the Niners’ Navigation Study must be fully evaluated and TRIBUTE TO BOBB MCKITTRICK offensive line coach for 20 seasons. During whatever steps these evaluations indicate to that time San Francisco has won five Super be appropriate must be taken. Until that time, HON. TOM LANTOS Bowls and put together the most successful however, I find it unacceptable and unfair to two-decade run in NFL history, and the fact OF CALIFORNIA our armed forces to challenge the professional that McKittrick has been entrenched in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES same job throughout that span, under three appointees who have given their entire profes- head coaches, is not accidental. In addition sional career to serve this country. All of these Wednesday, March 22, 2000 to routinely milking exceptional production officers have come highly recommended by Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to out of players overlooked or cast off by other their peers. Many of us have worked with invite my colleagues to join me in paying trib- teams, McKittrick has been the glue that them earlier in our careers. ute to the memory of Bobb McKittrick of San has held together the Niners’ vaunted West The Upper Mississippi and Illinois River Coast attack. Bill Walsh, recently rehired as Mateo, California. Mr. McKittrick, the longtime San Francisco’s general manager, says Navigation Study has not been completed and offensive line coach of the San Francisco is yet to be distributed for state and agency McKittrick ‘‘has developed more offensive 49ers, passed away last Wednesday after a line knowledge than anyone, ever. The con- review. To criticize the unknown outcome of lengthy battle against bile duct cancer. He tinuity of the line, its consistent ability to the study before the public review has even leaves behind a loving family and a reputation protect the quarterback and open running started may inhibit reasoned development of as one of the premiere leaders and motivators lanes, has been the cornerstone of the 49ers’ final recommendations for water improvement in the National Football League. His legacy in- success over the past 20 years, and without by the Secretary of the Army and unfairly color cludes the affection of the hundreds of ath- Bobb, I don’t think it happens. His men have Congress’ deliberations on those rec- played longer, with better technique, more letes whose lives he touched with his passion, production, fewer injuries. In every possible ommendations. There are certainly many po- determination, and commitment to excellence tential alternatives and points of view that category you can measure, he’s right at the as well as to tens of thousands of devoted top.’’ have to be considered; there is not just one. fans, for whom he was an example of dedica- The Niners are so queasy about the notion There are many uncertainties and unknowns tion and public spiritedness. of ever working without McKittrick that that we will encounter as we plan and prepare Mr. Speaker, I ask that an article by Michael they told him he’d have a job for life when he for the future, but there is one certainty: the Silver from the April 26, 1999, issue of Sports was mulling an offer to become the St. Louis importance to the national welfare of naviga- Illustrated about the courage, inspiration, and Rams’ offensive coordinator after the 1994 tion as an essential element of a sound trans- season. He recently signed a two-year deal, example of Bobb McKittrick be placed in the and in the weeks leading up to the draft, he portation infrastructure. RECORD. It chronicles his extraordinary coach- Through the Corps Civil Works program, the was busy breaking down film on top line ing record with the 49ers, his positive influ- prospects—an endeavor that in most years is Federal Government has created the world’s ence on the careers and lives of his players about as fruitful for McKittrick as Academy most advanced water resources infrastructure and friends, and his characteristically tena- Award voters viewing Brian Bosworth mov- contributing to our unprecedented standard of cious fight against cancer. Mr. Speaker, the ies. The San Francisco brass concentrates on living. The program is essentially a capital in- story of Bobb McKittrick is an inspiring one. drafting talent at other positions and relies vestment and management program that re- on McKittrick to excel with lesser-regarded turns significant economic, environmental, and ONE TOUGH CUSTOMER: OUTSPOKEN NINERS linemen. Few coaches have done so much ASSISTANT BOBB MCKITTRICK IS BATTLING other benefits to the nation. Though relatively with so little, but no one is taking CANCER AND LIVER DISEASE WITH THE SAME small in the context of total Federal expendi- McKittrick for granted anymore. FIERCE DETERMINATION THAT MADE HIM In January, four days after the 49ers were tures, investments in, and sound management ONE OF THE BEST COACHES IN THE GAME eliminated from the NFC playoffs by the At- of the Corps water resources projects have They were embattled behemoths in big lanta Falcons, McKittrick received a med- beneficial effects that touch almost every facet trouble, and they felt like the smallest men ical double whammy: Doctors told him that of modern American society—navigation on earth. Late in the third quarter of a game he had cancer and that he needed a liver projects that provide the Nation with its lowest- against the Eagles on a chilly September transplant. McKittrick, whose colon was re- cost mode of transportation for bulk commod- afternoon in Philadelphia 10 years ago, Har- moved 17 years ago after precancerous cells ities; flood control projects that protect the ris Barton and his fellow San Francisco 49ers were detected, has a malignancy on his bile lives, homes and businesses of thousands of offensive linemen trudged off the field with duct. He has begun undergoing radiation and their heads down and their ears pricked. Joe chemotherapy at Stanford Hospital in Palo Americans; and recreation facilities that enable Montana, the Niners’ fine china, had been Alto. He needs a liver transplant because he millions of visitors to relax and enjoy the beau- sacked eight times. The Eagles led by 11 is suffering from cholangiocarcinoma. He is ty of our country’s waters. points, and censure was a certainty: Coach on a waiting list for a new liver. I say that these kinds of decisions are ex- George Seifert’s face was convulsing like While his relatives, friends and colleagues tremely complex and controversial and are Mick Jagger’s, offensive coordinator Mike are worried sick, McKittrick, predictably,

VerDate Aug 04 2004 12:22 Aug 12, 2004 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\E22MR0.000 E22MR0 3346 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS March 22, 2000 has been calm, even upbeat. Though down 20 not sought jobs with bigger titles is the po- Not everyone would nominate him for pounds from his normal 200, he insists on litical correctness he associates with such sainthood. Drawing on some of the blocking keeping the bulk of his coaching responsibil- roles. ‘‘I’d rather teach than be an adminis- methods he learned from Prothro, ities, faithfully reporting to work with the trator,’’ he says. ‘‘I don’t like a lot of the McKittrick recruited relatively small, agile catheter used to administer chemotherapy things that administrators have to do.’’ linemen and taught them techniques—the treatments sticking out of his left arm. ‘‘It’s While some head coaches might view vocal cut block, the reverse-shoulder block, the a difficult situation,’’ he says, ‘‘but I went dissent as a threat, at least one of chop—most of which were legal, at least through six weeks of boot camp, and it can’t McKittrick’s friends—a man who had some when executed perfectly, but which infuri- be any worse than that. I think I can go pretty decent success as UCLA’s basketball ated opponents. After a 1985 game, Los Ange- through anything—and it sure beats the al- coach from 1949 to ’75—believes it’s invalu- les Raiders defensive lineman Howie Long ternative.’’ able. ‘‘An assistant coach who’s afraid to charged after McKittrick in a tunnel at the On a mild Monday afternoon in late March, speak his mind isn’t very helpful,’’ says John L.A. Coliseum and vented; the two haven’t McKittrick walks into the three-bedroom Wooden, who grew close to McKittrick dur- spoken since. In his book Dark Side of the house in San Mateo where he and his wife, ing the latter’s stint as a Bruins football as- Game, former Falcons defensive lineman Teckla, have lived since 1979. ‘‘You’ve got sistant from 1965 to ’70. ‘‘A head coach Tim Green referred to McKittrick as Dr. this place freezing,’’ he tells her before leav- should never want a yes-man: He’ll just in- Mean. McKittrick notes that in recent years, ing the room to turn up the heat. ‘‘He’s flate your ego, and your ego’s probably big at least a third of the teams in the NFL have cold,’’ Teckla says to a visitor. ‘‘Now can enough as it is. An assistant as bright as adopted his controversial techniques. ‘‘Those you tell something’s wrong?’’ Bobb could only be an asset.’’ big, tough guys on defense want to play our Raised in Baker, a northeast Oregon farm Honest as he is, McKittrick could not bring strength against their strength,’’ he says. town where the winters are frigid, himself to tell Teckla about his cancer. He ‘‘I’d rather play our strength against their McKittrick developed a stubborn resistance found out shortly before they embarked upon weakness.’’ a nine-day trip to visit their two sons, in Or- to cold at an early age. He unfailingly wears McKittrick’s supporters far outnumber his egon and California and, not wanting to spoil shorts and a T-shirt to even the most bone- detractors. Holmgren, 49ers coach Steve the vacation, stayed mum. chilling practice sessions, and when the 49ers Mariucci and Denver Broncos coach Mike For all of Bobb’s sensible stoicism, Teckla Shanahan credit him with helping them as- travel to colder climes, McKittrick packs is his polar opposite, an emotional worry- lightly. During a Monday-night game played similate Walsh’s concepts, and Raiders coach wart who sheds tears as readily as some peo- Jon Gruden, who began his NFL career in freezing rain at Chicago’s Soldier Field in ple clear their throats. They met as Oregon October 1988, McKittrick wore a short-sleeve breaking down film for McKittrick in 1990, State undergrads at a study table, con- refers to McKittrick as ‘‘my idol, the best shirt but no jacket. At one point his teeth versing for 20 minutes in a group setting. coach I’ve ever been around.’’ Shanahan says were chattering so much that he was unable ‘‘The next day,’’ Teckla says, ‘‘he told some- McKittrick, with whom he worked for three to enunciate a running play to Walsh, who one he had met the woman he was going to seasons as a San Francisco assistant, ‘‘has subsequently decreed that all coaches must marry.’’ Together they’ve had more of a life forgotten more football than I know, but cover their arms during harsh weather. When together than most coaching couples, shar- what really stands out is his incredible work the Niners returned to Chicago the following ing a passion for history that has inspired ethic. He leaves no stone unturned, and January for the NFC Championship Game, vacations to places like Normandy and Rus- that’s why everybody considers him the best McKittrick complied with the new policy by sia as well as cruises on the Danube and the in the business.’’ donning a windbreaker—on a day in which Baltic Sea. Alas, McKittrick’s prowess as a coach is ¥ the windchill factor reached 47[degrees]. At In late January, McKittrick returned from not at the forefront of his friends’ minds. such moments McKittrick, with his shaved his vacation and went back to work, figuring Call someone looking for a quote, and in- head and stocky frame, seems to be as much he’d break the news to Teckla that evening. stead of answers you get questions: How’s caricature as character. ‘‘Everybody notices Before he could, however, he received a fran- Bobb? Is he going to get his liver? The an- the physical part, but when it comes to emo- tic call from her: An oncologist’s assistant swers are unclear, but things could be better. tional strength, he’s probably the toughest had phoned the McKittrick house to confirm The chemotherapy has sapped McKittrick, person I know,’’ says Seifert, who now coach- an appointment. ‘‘My wife was in tears for and last weekend he was hospitalized with a es the Carolina Panthers. ‘‘He has an ability the next two weeks,’’ Bobb says. ‘‘She hears 104[degree] temperature. He has another to deal with things that would shatter most cancer and immediately thinks, You’re going worry. In mid-March, Teckla was rushed to people.’’ to die. That’s not the way I’m approaching Stanford’s emergency room with what doc- After having his colon removed, it.’’ tors feared was a heart attack. It turned out McKittrick wore a colostomy bag for a year McKittrick’s approach to life has never to be a problem with her gallbladder, which before a second operation allowed him to dis- been orthodox. In seventh grade he added a is scheduled to be removed in early May. The card it. ‘‘He had this device strapped to his third b to his first name because, he says, ‘‘I doctors would like Bobb to finish fighting hip,’’ Seifert says, ‘‘and I’ll never forget the just wanted to be different.’’ A high school the cancer before replacing his liver, but he’s sight of him running onto the practice field valedictorian who was also a decorated stu- one of many on a waiting list, and the tim- holding that bag so it wouldn’t fall. How dev- dent at Oregon State, McKittrick was per- ing is largely out of their control. astating and emotionally trying that must suaded by Tommy Prothro, his coach when Recently McKittrick was at Stanford shut- have been. Had it been me, I don’t know that he walked on as an offensive lineman for the tling between appointments when a team of I could have coached again.’’ Beavers, to return to his alma mater as an physicians tracked him down. They ushered McKittrick’s toughness is rivaled only by assistant after his three years of service in him and Teckla into a room and informed his bluntness. ‘‘He’s brutally honest with me, the Marines. McKittrick followed Prothro to them that a liver had become available. The too,’’ says Teckla, who married Bobb in 1958. UCLA, the Los Angeles Rams and then to the chief transplant surgeon, Carlos Esquivel, ‘‘It’s one thing when he tells me my hair San Diego Chargers, where he and fellow as- then explained the various risks, including looks funny, but I’m constantly worried he’s sistant Walsh became friends. When Walsh the possibility that Bobb could die on the op- going to get fired [for speaking his mind].’’ was hired as 49ers coach in 1979, he asked erating table. The doctors said they needed a Barton says he and other linemen used to McKittrick to come along. decision within two hours. Teckla broke into write down some of McKittrick’s more eye- McKittrick compares Walsh’s recent re- tears. Bobb stroked her hand, calmly ques- opening statements. ‘‘One of the classics was turn to the 49ers, who had been reeling from tioned the doctors and finally said, ‘‘Let’s do ′ ″ when we drafted this 6 7 guy named Larry front-office turmoil, to Churchill’s reign as it.’’ Clarkson [in ’88],’’ Barton says. ‘‘Every day Britain’s prime minister during World War He was told to return to the hospital later in training camp [defensive end] Charles II. ‘‘He had been out of favor,’’ McKittrick that afternoon for surgery. Teckla worried Haley would run around him, then so would says, ‘‘but when the Nazis were threatening that he had rushed his decision, but Bobb the second-teamer, and Larry would end up to overrun Europe, they turned to him for said, ‘‘I made a life-altering decision 40 years on the ground. Finally we’re in a meeting his dynamic leadership, and he held them to- ago in 20 minutes, and I haven’t regretted one night, and Bobb says, ‘Jeez, Larry, I gether.’’ it.’’ He was sitting in the living room of his don’t think you have the coordination to McKittrick is not only a voracious reader house when the phone rang. A nurse told him take the fork from the plate to your of nonfiction but also a genealogy freak who the doctors had found the liver to be unsuit- mouth.’ ’’ serves as an unofficial historian for his able. When he repeated the news, Teckla’s As harsh as he sometimes sounds, hometown. He also keeps a meticulous jour- knees buckled and she fainted. Bobb took the McKittrick gets away with it, partly because nal designed to ‘‘give my [two] grandkids an news in stride. he can take criticism as unemotionally as he idea of what my life was like.’’ According to ‘‘He has incredibly tough skin,’’ Barton dishes it out. He regularly challenges his his good friend, Loring De Martini, says of his coach. ‘‘It’s a crisis situation, but bosses in meetings, but, says Seifert, ‘‘after McKittrick’s life is easy to describe: ‘‘Bobb he won’t show a weakness.’’ a while, that becomes part of the charm of is almost a saint. He’s a guy who has never Barton lets his thought hang for a mo- the man.’’ McKittrick says one reason he has willfully done a wrong thing.’’ ment; it occurs that he might want to say a

VerDate Aug 04 2004 12:22 Aug 12, 2004 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\E22MR0.000 E22MR0 March 22, 2000 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 3347 Jewish prayer right about now. ‘‘Believe TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF ‘‘A Moorhead, Minnesota, in October 1974. Now, me,’’ Barton says, ‘‘I will.’’ He won’t be PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION’’ they routinely travel farther down the road to alone. places like Edinborough, Scotland, and Dublin, ‘‘When it comes to emotional strength, Ireland. In the last twenty-five years, the he’s probably the toughest person I know,’’ HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON OF MINNESOTA show’s truck has traveled over 230,000 miles, Seifert says of his former assistant. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and personnel have flown or driven over ‘‘Teckla was in tears for two weeks,’’ says 385,000 miles. The traveling shows are so Bobb. ‘‘She hears cancer and immediately Wednesday, March 22, 2000 thinks, You’re going to die. That’s not the popular that a sponsoring station manager in Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, Peoria, Illinois, made the following remark way I’m approaching it.’’ A Prairie Home Companion is more than just McKittrick ‘‘has forgotten more football after A Prairie Home Companion visited his a good radio program. It’s a good radio pro- town: ‘‘I could’ve run for mayor and gotten than I know,’’ Shanahan says, ‘‘but what gram that has been around for twenty-five really stands out is his incredible work elected.’’ In 1985, Time magazine discovered ethic.’’ years. When it debuted on July 6, 1974, be- A Prairie Home Companion and put Mr. Keillor fore a live audience of twelve at Macalester on its cover. Over a span of twenty-five years College in St. Paul, Minnesota, no one would there have been 941 live performances and f have suspected that twenty-five years later it 864 live broadcasts of A Prairie Home Com- would delight a national weekly radio audience PERSONAL EXPLANATION panion. From February to June in 1987, A of 2.8 million listeners, and many thousands of Prairie Home Companion made the jump to international fans across the globe from television, running in an un-edited time-de- HON. ANNA G. ESHOO Edinborough to Tokyo. Over the past quarter century, A Prairie layed version on the Disney Channel. Since OF CALIFORNIA Home Companion has broadcast over 2,600 October 5, 1996, the show’s audio has been IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hours of programming, and has toured to delivered live over the Internet to anyone with a computer and a modem. Wednesday, March 22, 2000 forty-four of the fifty states. Close to one mil- lion people have attended live broadcasts. It’s A Prairie Home Companion and Mr. Keillor Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, on March 21, now heard on more than 470 public radio sta- have already received a silo-full of well-de- 2000, I was unable to be in Washington and, tions from coast to coast. The program, with served national recognition, including a consequently, missed two votes. origins in the American Midwest, has made a Grammy Award, two ACE Awards for cable Had I been present. I would have voted successful leap overseas. In 1985, Minnesota television, and a George Foster Peabody ‘‘aye’’ on rollcall No. 56 and rollcall No. 57. Public Radio started sending reel-to-reel tapes Award. In 1994, Mr. Keillor was inducted into of the shows to Australia and Sweden. In the Radio Hall of Fame at Chicago’s Museum f 1990, digital audiotapes were sent to Taiwan. of Broadcast Communication. In 1999, he was Since 1996, the show goes directly by satellite awarded the National Humanities Medal by HONORING THE 12TH ANNUAL for broadcast worldwide. Now, it can be heard President Clinton at the White House. Mr. Wil- FRIENDS FOR LIFE BANQUET in dozens of European cities including Amster- liam R. Ferris, Chairman of the National En- FOR THE CRISIS PREGNANCY dam, Berlin, Brussels, Bonn, Vienna, Geneva dowment for the Humanities, said, ‘‘The 1999 CENTER IN ROME, GEORGIA and London. In twenty-five years, A Prairie National Humanities Medalists are distin- Home Companion has become a true national guished individuals who have set the highest treasure with international appeal. standards for American cultural achievement.’’ HON. BOB BARR The origin of the name, A Prairie Home Mr. Keillor likes to describe Lake Wobegone OF GEORGIA Companion, is the Prairie Home Cemetery in as a place ‘‘that time forgot and the decades IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Moorhead, Minnesota, near Concordia Col- cannot improve.’’ The same could be said lege, all of which are located in my home dis- about his radio show. Mr. Speaker, I congratu- Wednesday, March 22, 2000 trict back in Northwestern Minnesota. Mr. Gar- late Minnesota Public Radio, the staff of A Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my rison Keillor, a fellow Minnesotan and the pro- Prairie Home Companion, and Garrison Keillor distinct honor today to recognize the Crisis gram’s host, inventor, chief writer, and heart on the occasion of the notable achievement of Pregnancy Center in Rome, Georgia. On and soul, has stated, ‘‘You can’t name a show twenty-five years of proud representation of March 23, 2000, at the Friends for Life Ban- Prairie Home Cemetery, so I substituted Com- the art, culture and people of Minnesota. quet, the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Rome, panion for Cemetery.’’ His legions of fans are Georgia will be honored for the work it does glad he did. f Every week the two-hour live variety show is in the community to save the lives of unborn HONORING THE LATE WILLIAM W. children. packed with musical guests, comedy sketches and Mr. Keillor’s commentary about small- ‘‘BILL’’ GEARY, AMERICAN HERO Currently, in Washington, DC, we are work- town life in his fictional hamlet of Lake ing in the Judiciary Committee, as well as on Wobegone. Many people in this country and HON. JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY the House Floor, to ban the heinous practice around the world identify Minnesota with the OF MASSACHUSETTS of partial-birth abortion and take other steps to image of Lake Wobegone, a town ‘‘where all IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES protect the unborn. However, what we do in the women are strong, the men are good-look- Wednesday, March 22, 2000 the Congress, even if we had a President who ing, and all the children are above average.’’ shared our regard for the unborn, can only ad- Though there are other ways to pass the time Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I pay dress the symptoms of a societal problem that Saturday evenings, fans of A Prairie Home tribute to genuine American hero, William W. results in so many abortions each year. The Companion often plan their weekends around ‘‘Bill’’ Geary, who died on November 15, 1999. real, long term solutions have to come from the show. Nutritionist Leslie Cordella-Simon Bill was a veteran of World War II. He saw ac- our communities. The Crisis Pregnancy Center has said, ‘‘It’s a little respite at the end of the tion in eight major campaigns throughout Eu- in Rome, Georgia fills this vital role in aiding week.’’ Here in Washington, Ruth Harkin, the rope during the war. Bill was a true to friend and assisting pregnant women so that neither wife of Iowa Senator TOM HARKIN, has com- to many people as well as a devoted husband the mother nor the child fall victim to abortion. mented that they rarely miss the program. She to his loving wife ‘‘Bea’’. The Center has a direct and positive impact echoes the sentiments of many when she Even though Bill witnessed atrocities and vi- on many constituents here in Georgia’s 7th says, ‘‘Lake Wobegone is the town we both olence, he was a man of peace and he re- district as well as citizens throughout North grew up in.’’ NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw fused to accept that he was a hero among Georgia, and I would like today to pause and denies the rumor that he will not admit dinner men. Fortunately, Bill’s brother Joe Geary, commend Rome’s Crisis Pregnancy Center for guests to his house during the Lake U.S. Navy (Ret.) provided me a detailed his- all the hard work and dedication it provides to Wobegone segment of the show. ‘‘I just don’t tory of Bill’s service to his country. I am so many women and families in time of need, pay much attention to them,’’ he explains. pleased to have this history inserted in the day in and day out. They truly are doing our The first road trip of A Prairie Home Com- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD for all American’s to Lord’s work. panion was to Fargo, North Dakota, and to see:

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