PHER.

Remarks by Representative O'Hara

Of Illinois

Mr. O'HARA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep sense of personal loss that I join with my colleagues in paying tribute to the memory of the Honorable GEORGE H. CHRISTOWe came to the 81st Congress together as freshmen in 1949. He then was 61 with behind him the background of a life, most of which had been spent as a farmer in his native county of Bates in Missouri. He was robust, virile, and dynamic. He spoke frequently from the well of the House in the 81st Congress and on numerous occasions, although he was then a first termer, his manner of presentment, his hitting accurately on the target, and his pungent humor invariably brought down the House and called forth applause in unusual measure. He was not a Member of the 82d and 83d Congresses, but returned to us in the 84th Congress. For me, it was a gladsome reunion, for the rugged honesty and the outspokenness of GEORGE CHRISTOPHER had always endeared him to me. Because of the condition of his health he did not speak as often in the 84th and 85th Congresses as he did in the 81st Congress, but, when he did speak, every Member listened and always he won votes for the cause he was championing.

The last time I remember hearing GEORGE talk was after the amputation of his leg. He was wheeled in on a stretcher, adjusted himself to the microphone, and then, speaking under the disadvantage of his position, made a talk as full of dynamite and as pungent as any I have heard in this House.

He will be greatly missed. In his passing, the Congress of the United States has suffered the loss of one of its Members that it could least afford to lose. My deep sympathy goes to his children, to all of the members of his family, to the district of former President Harry Truman that he so well represented, to the great State of Missouri, and to the Nation of us all.

Remarks by Representative Elliott

Of Alabama

Mr. ELLIOTT. Mr. Speaker, I feel a deep sense of sorrow at the passing of our colleague, Representative GEORGE CHRISTOPHER, of Missouri.

GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was a very special friend of mine. We came to Congress together, having both been elected for the first time in November of 1948. We thus had the special ties of fellow Members of the freshman class.

A few years ago I had the opportunity of inviting GEORGE CHRISTOPHER to speak before the Men's Club of the Francis Asbury Methodist Church, the church which I attend here in Washington. True to my expectation, he delivered a fine inspirational speech that revealed his depth of character and his understanding of man's spiritual life.

I appreciated the opportunity of serving in Congress with GEORGE CHRISTOPHER. I profited from my association with him. He was a man of the soil, and was proud of it. He loved the soil. He was close to nature and to nature's God.

GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was a family man. He frequently spoke to me about his wife, and about his children, and about his farm.

A time like this brings fresh meaning to the words of the poet, John Donne, who said: "Any man's death diminishes me." Certainly that is true when the man is your friend, as GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was my friend. In his passing I suffer a deep personal loss.

GEORGE CHRISTOPHER loved his fellow man as few men do. In him the farmer, the laborer, the small businessman, the school child had a firm friend.

The Nation will miss him, and generations yet unborn will profit from his service here.

Remarks by Representative Pfost

Of Idaho

Mrs. PFOST. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in paying tribute to a great and good man, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER. His State of Missouri and the Nation have lost an able legislator and dedicated public servant. We who served with him here in the House, and especially those of us who were privileged to serve with him in committee, have lost a trusted friend.

There is one attribute which GEORGE CHRISTOPHER surely possessed above all others; that was his devotion to his principles and his dedication to duty as he saw it. There has never been a greater champion in this House of the rights of the small farmer. A farmer himself, he took part in the debates here with all the dignity and strength so often associated with men who live and work close to nature and with God. In his quiet, unassuming way, he lent wisdom and direction to our many discourses in the House. I remember, many times, when tensions were building up, as they often do in the heat of debate, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was able to reach out for the inspired word, the soft wit that would relax Members and permit us to proceed with our deliberations in a calmer atmosphere.

In the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs I looked upon GEORGE CHRISTOPHER as one of my strong arms ever ready to help, always available to be called upon for counsel and for facts to bolster the position which he believed to be right.

Yes; we shall miss GEORGE CHRISTOPHER in the House and he will be missed by the people of his district whom he so ably represented, but we and they will be better because he was here.

Remarks by Representative Lane

Of Massachusetts

Mr. LANE. Mr. Speaker, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER came from a town that is close to the center of our Nation. It is not far from the spot where the trails fanned out, over which the pioneers ventured to open up the West.

He loved the land and he cared for it tenderly, and he was proud of the fulfillment that came at harvest time. And the rhythm of the seasons brought the harmony of nature's art and poetry and music to his heart.

GEORGE was a Missouri farmer, and a good one.

He was blessed with the native wisdom, and wit, and the independent spirit that is so true to the American character. Quiet, but plain spoken, he had the faculty of stripping away all sham and artifice to get at the root of an issue.

As I am a city Democrat, representing an industrial district, I liked to talk with GEORGE, and learn the viewpoint of the agricultural Midwest, which is the "seedbed" of so much that is individual and self-reliant in our country's personality.

He was conscientious in representing his constituents, and in going beyond that to serve the Nation's interests. Since coming to Washington as a Member of the 81st Congress, he had served on the House Administration Committee, the Committee on Agriculture, the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, and the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

When Congress adjourned he went back home to the farm of 975 acres where he and the late Mrs. Christopher lived so many happy and work-filled years building the homestead that made its wholesome contributions to the progress of the Nation.