Tribute to Delbert Latta

TRIBUTE TO DELBERT LATTA

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, this afternoon I pay tribute to a dear friend and beloved Ohioan, a man who has been a great public servant for the last half century, a man who I served with in the House of Representatives for a number of years. I am talking about Representative Delbert Latta. Representative Delbert Latta devoted 30 years of distinguished service to Ohio's 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. In his honor, earlier this year, President George Bush signed into law a bill that renamed the Bowling Green Ohio Post Office the Delbert L. Latta Post Office Building. This is a well-deserved tribute to a man who inspires all around him to strive to be a better public servant.

This afternoon I will take a few minutes to explain to my colleagues why Del is so revered by the citizens of the 5th District and all the citizens of Ohio. Del was raised in McComb, OH. He graduated from McComb High School and later worked in a shoestore and put himself through Ohio Northern University from where he received his undergraduate and then his law degree.

Del practiced law in Bowling Green for several years before he successfully ran for an Ohio State Senate seat. After serving three terms in the Ohio State Senate, Del Latta decided to serve his community at the Federal level and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1958.

Before retiring from the House of Representatives in 1989, constituents of Ohio's 5th District showed Del their appreciation by electing him and reelecting him 15 times. He was the dean of the Ohio Republican delegation and as dean of the delegation was deeply respected for the leadership role he played for fellow Ohio Representatives as well as for the party. He was the person to whom, frankly, we all went.

I remember when I was first elected in 1982. I remember driving north to Bowling Green and going to see Del in his office and talking to him about committee assignments. I told him I wanted to be on the Judiciary Committee if that were possible. I remember Del sitting behind his desk talking to me about that and telling me he would see what he could do about it. It was not too long after that I was on the Judiciary Committee in the House of Representatives. Del was the person you went to. Del was the person you went to for advice, for counsel, and to get things done.

Del served as leader of the Rules Committee. Del was the ranking Republican in all the House on the Budget Committee. Del was not only recognized as a key leader of the Republican Party, he was a consensus builder who also earned the respect of Members on both sides of the aisle. The Honorable Democrat Senator and Representative Claude Pepper, of Florida, had this to say about Del:

Del's conduct as a Member of the [Rules] Committee and a Member of the House has exemplified the best and noblest traditions of this House. His integrity has been exemplary. His kindliness, gentleness and graciousness of manner have endeared him to all of his colleagues. I shall always honor the service Del Latta has rendered to the Rules Committee, to the Budget Committee and the House because what he did, he did as an able, honorable patriotic American.

Del Latta had a significant impact on so many pieces of legislation and events over his 30-year tenure in the House. One notable example is the leadership he demonstrated during Watergate, but perhaps he is best well-known as a champion of balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility. In 1981, Del spearheaded President Reagan's economic recovery program in the House by sponsoring and helping to pass the Gramm-Latta bill. This bill is often cited as the single most influential measure in stimulating America's economic recovery in the 1980s. Del Latta was there. Del Latta led. It was Del Latta who got it done.

Expressing his admiration for Del's humility and work ethic, the Honorable Chip Pashayan, Jr., of California, said this about a dinner experience he had with Del after the passage of this momentous bill that bears Del Latta's name.

No gloating, no bragging, no brandishing. To [Del] Gramm-Latta was just another bill, just another day's work for the American people. . . . As usual, we finished dinner by 8:30 or 9 p.m. because Del had to get back to his office to do some constituent work. No constituency ever had a harder working Member that I ever saw.

I could not agree more. In 1982, when I first came to the House of Representatives, as I said, Del was instrumental in teaching me the ropes. What I admired most about Del was his ability to work with an unwavering commitment and passion for his constituents. He never forgot who sent him to Washington. He never forgot who he worked for. In everything he did, you could see how much he cared for the people he represented, the people of northwest Ohio. He understood how much he cared about our great country.

People have always come first for Del Latta. It is what drives him. He has said his greatest satisfaction comes from helping people find solutions to their problems, whether it is big problems or small problems, helping people find solutions to their problems, especially problems they could not solve on their own.

At his retirement Del said this:

Being a representative [of Ohio's 5th district] has given me and members of my family the opportunity to make untold thousands of wonderful friendships which we shall always treasure. I will also cherish the many friendships I have made over the years with my congressional colleagues.

And to be sure, Del Latta has not finished giving of himself, certainly not. To this day, he continues to do everything he can for his community. From local businessmen to neighborhood schoolchildren, Del Latta is there for them.

The dedication of the Bowling Green Post Office in Del's name-a post office that Del once helped secure funds to build-is simply a reminder that although it has been 15 years since he has retired from the Congress, Del has continued to work tirelessly for his community. The renaming of this post office, in many ways, is a symbol-a great symbol-of the civic spirit Del stood for as a U.S. Representative and still stands for today.

So I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Del for this great honor. He has done so much for the Fifth District, for the State of Ohio, and for our Nation. I have the highest regard for the example Del has set as a leader and public servant. My wife Fran and I cherish his friendship, and we wish him and his wife Rosemary and their children Bob and Rose Ellen and their families all the best in their future.

Del Latta is a great man. I said that he has worked tirelessly for his constituents, and it is always fun to watch him do that. But there has been one thing for me that has been even more fun, and that is to watch Del Latta with his grandchildren and to hear Del Latta talk about his grandchildren because this is a man who is also a great family man; he has never lost sight of the importance of family.

So, Del Latta, congratulations. You are a man who has served our country well. You are a great family man. You are a good friend. We appreciate all you have done for our country.

Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.