Date: 1984-10-01
Speaker: PHILIP M. CRANE (republican)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a freshman Member back in 1969. it was my original desire to serve on the Education and Labor Committee. I was thwarted in that effort and upon becoming more conversant with the disproportionate influence wielded by the AFLCIO over that committee I was not unhappy about being assigned instead to the Banking and Currency Committee. JOHN ERLENBORN was then a ranking Republican on Education and Labor. I knew JOHN before coming to Congress and admired him for his political talents. his intellect. and his legislative skills. After watching JOHN firsthand as a colleague. my admiration for his abilities grew considerably. Against great odds. JOHN was able to prevail more times than he should have given the partisan nature of his committee and the fact that JOHN never served as a member of the majority throughout his 20year career in the House of Representatives. One party domination of the House. in fact. is one of the great misfortunes of our times. As outstanding a legislator as JOHN has been. his talents would have shown even more brilliantly had he had the opportunity to play offense over the past score of years. JouNs contributions. nevertheless. have been enormous and all Americans have been the beneficlariesfrom developing viable pension plans to reducing the tax load and making the Federal Government more accountable. Long after the last gavel has been sounded in the 98th Congress. JOHN ERLENBORNS legislative initiatives will be felt. We will miss you. JOHN. but cherish the years we had the opportunity to work with you. May your future years be blessed with good fortune. health. and happiness.e a Mr. ANNUNZIO. Mr. Speaker. it is a genuine pleasure to join the distinguished minority leader. Congressman JOHN MICHEL. my colleagues. and the other members of the Illinois delegation. in paying tribute to Hon. JOHN ERLENBORN. who has been a dedicated Member of the House of Representatives for the last 20 years. JOHN and I were Members of the same classthe 89th Congress. and through the years we have served in Congress together. I have come to know and respect JOHN for his knowledge. for his fairness. and for his leadership abilities. His tireless efforts on behalf of his constituents in the 13th District of Illinois. and on behalf of the citizens of the United States. are admired and most worthy or recognition. Before coming to Copgress JOHN ERLENBORN served our country with distinction in the Navy during World War II. and graduated from Loyola Univesity Law School. He engaged in the practice of law. served as the assistant States attorney for Du Page County. IL from 1950 to 1952. and was member of the Illinois General Assembly from 1957 to 1964. Elected to Congress in 1964. JOHN ERLENBORN has served in the House of Representatives during the last 20 years with diligence and distinction as a member of the House Government Operations Committee. and as the ranking minority member of the House Education and Labor Committee. where he also serves on the Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities. the Subcommittee on LaborManagement Relations. and the Subcommittee on Labor Standards. JOHN is a fine legislator. a dedicated and devoted American. and a Congressman of great ability and skill. who has compiled a commendable record of achievement during his 10 terms as a Member of Congress. He will truly be missed by all of us in Congress who had an opportunity to know him and to work with him. I extend to JoHN ERLENBORN my best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.9