December 19, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2365 was legendary for his commitment to his em- of the economic interests of his district. For never shying away from the pride that those ployees and his customers. His philosophy of example, Congressman POSHARD opposed the southern roots instilled in him years good service destined his enterprise to be- North American Free Trade Agreement, which ago. come the nation's largest retailer. Mr. Walton he knew would cost many American working As a Member of this body, he has distin- ran his stores like a coach preparing his team men and women their jobs. However, when it guished himself as one who keeps his word for the big game. He led by example, and in- became clear that this flawed trade agreement and stands on principle. As a member of our stilled in his staff the determination and moti- would pass in the House of Representatives society, he has distinguished himself as a vation to serve and to succeed. Famous for despite his opposition, Congressman POSHARD gentleman of the first order. his devotion to his employees, Walton, when- sponsored an amendment to protect the do- There's never a moment when he's too ever he saw a Wal-Mart Truck, was known to mestic broom industry. There are many broom busy to say hello or share a kind word with a land his Cessna amidst the nearest cornfield, factories in the Nineteenth Congressional Dis- friend or foe. I am proud of all that he has ac- flag down the driver, and ride with him to his trict and they are still thriving today because of complished. destined store. Such company spirit and pride Congressman POSHARD. I am proud that he kept his word to serve has fostered loyalty and trust among the pub- Congressman POSHARD has a strong moral no longer than 10 years in this body and then lic. center that has greatly influenced his congres- returned to Illinois to run for Governor, as for Sound principles of customers service sional career. GLENN is opposed to abortion GLENN POSHARD, public service never truly should be inherent in government as well as and has been one of the most impassioned ends. private industry. Intrinsic within a republican defenders of the unborn. A pro-life Democrat While he wasn't elected as our next Gov- form of government is a commitment to the like myself, Congressman POSHARD has ernor, I know that he gained the personal re- people one represents and to serving their worked to protect the lives of the unborn and spect of the man who was elected and of all needs in the best way possible. With that in has worked to make the Democratic Party those of us who watched him during his cam- mind, I have focused on putting together more open and welcoming to pro-life mem- paign. During that effort, GLENN POSHARD spoke America's best congressional staff. Employees bers. As a former teacher, GLENN has also in my office come from diverse backgrounds worked to protect the needs of children. forcefully and loudly about the needs of our State's children. Since that time he has and have diverse talents: all have close ties to GLENN voted for welfare reform in 1996 but Colorado and the district. Each and every only after satisfying himself that the needs of pledged to continue to try and make a dif- member of my staff considers it their personal children were addressed. ference for our kids. As he leaves this body to move on to that responsibility to serve the public the best they Throughout his service in the House of Rep- effort, GLENN POSHARD should know that he can. They genuinely believe in their work and resentatives, GLENN POSHARD has fashioned has already made a difference for our State's in serving the people of the State of Colorado. himself as a citizen legislator. Since his first children, one that will last for generations to Our office responds to thousands of letters term in Congress, GLENN has shunned con- come. and phone calls each month. My dedicated tributions from Political Action Committees. In- God's blessing to the distinguished gen- staff handles scores of constituent requests, stead, GLENN has relied on the support of his tleman from Carterville and his loving wife Jo. helps me prepare letters, draft and follow leg- constituents. As he promised when he was f islation, and helps advise me on multitudes of elected in 1988, Congressman POSHARD is important issues. Should someone from Colo- leaving after five terms so that ``other folks HONORING THE PUBLIC SERVICE rado visit our nation's capital, we are always have their shot at solving the problems.'' OF CONGRESSMAN GLENN eager to line up congressional tours of the My colleagues in the House of Representa- POSHARD Capitol, and even the White House. People tives and I will miss GLENN POSHARD. He is a within the district also express their opinions, gentleman, a statesman, and even a poet on HON. RAY LaHOOD seek help with problems involving a govern- occasion. Most of all, however, he is a good OF ILLINOIS ment agency, or request information on legis- friend. Thank you, Congressman POSHARD, for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lation or proposed regulations from me or a all of your hard work and support throughout Saturday, December 19, 1998 member of my staff all the time. With an open your ten years in Congress. Congratulations door policy, my staff communicates frequently on your numerous accomplishments which are Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and openly with me. I consider them, as too numerous to list here. And, good luck with recognize the positive contributions that my should my constituents, as an extension of all your future endeavors. fellow Illinois colleague, GLENN POSHARD, myself. With selfless dedication, and in the f made to the State of Illinois, Congress, and spirit of America's best business leaders, the Nation. After 10 years of congressional America's best congressional staff works long A TRIBUTE TO GLENN POSHARD service, GLENN POSHARD is retiring. His prin- hours and strives toward a philosophy of serv- cipled and pragmatic presence will be missed, ice to the good people of Colorado's Fourth HON. not only by the people of the 19th District of Congressional District. OF ILLINOIS Illinois, but also by those of us in Congress f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES who worked with him on important issues. First elected to the House of Representa- A TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN Saturday, December 19, 1998 tives in 1988, GLENN POSHARD pledged to GLENN POSHARD Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I join my col- serve only 10 years in Congress. Now, ten leagues in honoring the distinguished gen- years later, he is keeping his word. He will be HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI tleman from Carterville, Illinois, Congressman leaving behind a reputation for bipartisan and OF ILLINOIS GLENN POSHARD. hard work, forged while working on such IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES There are perhaps no two better words to issues as campaign reform, improving rural describe GLENN POSHARD than distinguished health care, deficit-cutting, and preserving the Saturday, December 19, 1998 and gentleman. American coal-mining industry. During his Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to GLENN POSHARD arrived in Washington 10 work on these issues and others, GLENN pay tribute to my good friend, Congressman years ago charged with a mandate to rep- POSHARD always stood his ground and fought GLENN POSHARD. Congressman POSHARD has resent the people of his district to the very for what he believed in, and for what was aptly served the Nineteenth Congressional best of his abilities. I can think of no one who good for his constituents and for the State of District of Illinois for ten years. During his ten- has been a more effective representative for Illinois. ure in the House of Representatives, GLENN the unique needs of southern Illinois than Throughout his congressional service, has stayed true to his strong morals and has GLENN POSHARD. GLENN POSHARD was able to benefit from, and done what was best for his constituents. For the people of southern Illinois, he has draw on, his background. As a holder of a With working-class roots of his own, Con- been a fighter and a tireless advocate. He has doctorate in education from Southern Illinois gressman POSHARD has been one of the most broken through the wall of regionalism that University and as a former teacher, GLENN ardent congressional supporters of working- separated our State into Chicago versus the POSHARD brought a valuable perspective to class men and women. From his position on suburbs versus downstate versus the real Capitol Hill. This perspective was further en- the House Committee on Small Business and downstate of southern Illinois. GLENN POSHARD hanced by his experiences that he gained the Committee on Transportation and Infra- made people aware that southern Illinois ex- while growing up in a small, rural town in Illi- structure, POSHARD has also been a guardian isted by never wavering in his efforts and nois. He never forgot his roots, and they

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