Remarks by Representative Albert

Of Oklahoma

Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues from Missouri, I was deeply shocked Saturday to learn that my good friend, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER, had passed on. I was closely associated with GEORGE ever since he first came to the Congress in 1949. Several years ago we served together on the House Committee on Agriculture, and we shared common views on agricultural legislation. GEORGE CHRISTOPHER Was a farmer who lived on the land and loved it. Few men of our day have devoted so much time to the conservation and to the building up of our most important physical inheritance.

I shall miss GEORGE CHRISTOPHER, and, I am sure, this House will miss him. He was one of our most colorful and eloquent Members. Though his rhetoric was homespun, it was always picturesque. He had that rare facility of expression which enabled him to speak graphically and to talk in pictures. More than that, he had a wonderful sense of humor. His keen wit was a ready weapon at all times. I have been with GEORGE in campaigns in his district. His people loved him. They came to hear his colorful stories. He was looked upon as the Will Rogers of the Western Ozarks.

Congressman CHRISTOPHER was a kind and generous person. He was warm and friendly. His life was a blessing to everyone with whom he came in contact. We have lost a great friend and a great legislator. I extend my deepest sympathy to his children.

Remarks by Representative Bolling

Of Missouri

Mr. BOLLING. Mr. Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues from Missouri and the other States in this moment of deep regret at the passing of our great and good friend GEORGE CHRISTOPHER.

GEORGE and I represented adjoining districts. Consequently we were close on a personal basis, on a political basis, and on a legislative basis. I have visited GEORGE at his farm, that wonderful monument to one part of his life's work. I remember him taking me, the city boy, out and showing what he had done to this land that he loved so well; what he had done was obvious even to the most ignorant of city people. He had made the land fruitful, as it should be. What he desired for all people who live on farms was that they would have the opportunity and the ability to see to it that the good earth, given to us by God, would be used as God intended that it should be used.

GEORGE was a man of great good humor. Under most incredible difficulties and hardships GEORGE always had a smile. His determination during the series of very serious illnesses was something wonderful and inspiring to behold. He never lost his courage. He never lost his perspective. He never lost his sense of humor.

In the last primary GEORGE was opposed by forces so strong that very few thought he had a chance of political survival. Then he won-a great victory—a victory which he felt was his greatest political victory. But he held no malice toward those who had opposed him. He was as good humored and kindly in victory as I am sure he would have been in defeat.

We in Missouri and the country generally have lost a great and good friend. It is the country's loss. I think of GEORGE and will think of him always by the name applied to another great political warrior. "The Happy Warrior." He always was a happy, fighting man, who fought for his people; fought for the welfare of all the people. To his loved ones our deepest sympathy.

Remarks by Representative Rogers

Of Massachusetts

Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I mourn, with other Members of the House, especially with his people of Missouri and his wonderful family, over the passing of our dear friend, Mr. CHRISTOPHER. I realize how much his fine children must have loved him. One of his fine sons told me

of the family unity.

I talked with my colleague, the gentleman from Missouri Mr. CHRISTOPHER, just before we adjourned. I had the feeling then that he did not expect to return. Not that he would be defeated, but that the good Lord would not let him live so long as that.

Courageous,

I am so glad that he did not know defeat. as all of those who have spoken have said, a great lover of his part of the country, yet tolerant for people in other parts of the country, people who lived in the cities. He might criticize them, but underneath he did not dislike them.

I had a chance in the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to know of his tremendous courage, both physical and spiritual. He never took the easy way. It was always the hard way. He fought for his convictions. He fought for those who needed help so terribly in the days gone by, and those who will need help in the days to come.

We will miss him especially on that committee for that reason. He did not need the loss of a limb in order to fight for the disabled with all the strength he had. I can see him now on the floor fighting for them and fighting for the great agricultural part of the country where he lived and for agriculture in general just as hard as he fought before his tragedy-the loss of a limb—overtook him. He took that tragedy with a smile, even joked about it; and yet I think

those of us who have seen people who have given so much for their country throughout the years realize what his suffering must have been.

I particularly shall miss him more than I can say because we need him so much in the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. A great warrior, I may say to the able and distinguished gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Cannon], a great credit to Missouri, a great credit to the United States, a fine Christian gentleman; he will be hard to replace.