Remarks by Representative Gross

Of Iowa

Mr. GROSS. Mr. Speaker, I deeply regret the death of my friend and colleague, the Honorable GEORGE CHRISTOPHER.

No Member of Congress was more steadfast in his devotion to agriculture and the farmer. He will be especially missed in the struggle that lies ahead to enact effective, permanent farm legislation.

GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was a good man and the members of his family, to whom I offer condolences in this hour of sorrow, can take consolation in the fact that he will not soon be forgotten.

Remarks by Representative Roosevelt

Of California

Mr. ROOSEVELT. Mr. Speaker, the heartfelt warmth of those who have spoken in tribute to our friend and late colleague, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER, will I hope, bring some comfort to his family in their sorrow.

There were two things for which I shall always remember GEORGE: First, his great and solid belief in fighting for the welfare of the everyday citizen. He never minced any words. He always was concise and clear spoken. He was sharp, but

never mean.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, his spiritual and physical courage were an inspiration and a lesson to those who have lesser burdens to bear. I know no way of paying him a greater tribute than just saying that he was a wonderful human being.

I shall miss him. We shall all miss him, and we should pray that we shall have the strength to carry on our duties with some of GEORGE CHRISTOPHER'S resolute and undying spirit.

Remarks by Representative Teague

Of Texas

Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 2 days before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee was scheduled to meet to organize for the 86th Congress our colleague and friend, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER, expired.

I speak for the membership of my committee in expressing our deepest sympathy to GEORGE CHRISTOPHER'S friends and family. Their loss is great. We will miss him on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He brought to the committee a strong feeling of compassion for the human side of our work. GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was motivated in his committee work by concern for the individual. He had great sympathy for the problems of those whom we seek to help with veterans' legislation. He has been an active force in many of the most important pieces of legislation coming from the committee in recent years designed to aid disabled veterans and their widows and children.

The veterans in this Nation have lost a real friend in the passing of GEORGE CHRISTOPHER.

Remarks by Representative Rooney

Of New York

Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, it was with a great deal of sadness that I learned on Saturday last of the passing of the Honorable GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, who first became a Member of the House of Representatives in 1949.

It was a great pleasure to have known GEORGE CHRISTOPHER over these years. He was a fine gentleman of sparkling wit and a great asset to his party and his country. He was a faithful and capable Representative of the people of his congressional district and of the State of Missouri. His sons and daughters have my deepest sympathy in their great loss.

Remarks by Representative Moulder

Of Missouri

Mr. MOULDER. Mr. Speaker, the sudden and unexpected passing of our colleague and fellow Missourian is distressing to everyone who knew GEORGE CHRISTOPHER. His ever lovable, friendly, and sunny personality made him one of the most popular Members of Congress. He was blessed with a host of friends and his genuine friendship will forever remain in our memories of him as a great man. He was one of our most illustrious Americans. Many people may never realize nor appreciate the full force of the impact that this visionendowed farmer-statesman has made on the future of our Nation.

On the wall in this Chamber of the House of Representatives, we can see the words of Daniel Webster:

Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers; build up its institutions, and promote its great interests and see whether we also in our day and generation can promote something worthy to be remembered.

This we know GEORGE CHRISTOPHER has done. His words and advice spoken in debates on the floor of this House were highly respected and will long be remembered.

The magnificent life of GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was controlled by the basic philosophies which made him a great man. His was not a complicated nor high-sounding philosophy. He believed in the fundamentals of love and devotion to family, church, State, and country.

He was truly a fine man, an orator, an able scholar, and statesman. GEORGE was truly the salt of the earth. I join with all Members of Congress in extending to his sons and daughters our sincere sympathy.