Ralph M. Hall

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life of Harry Emmet McKillop of McKinney who passed away November 7 at the age of 92. Harry was a passionate family man, global humanitarian, a dedicated patriot, and a dear friend of mine.

The child of Harry and Cecilia (nee D'Ozeville) McKillop, Harry was born January 2, 1922 in New York, New York. Harry served his country as a naval officer aboard the USS Phoenix in the South Pacific during World War II. A graduate of St. John's University with a degree in law, Harry worked throughout the world in the airline industry working his way up to the executive level with United Airlines, after which he serviced as Vice President for Braniff International and Vice President with Pan American Airways over a thirty year span. Hired in 1985 by Ross Perot, Harry headed the travel department for Electronic Data Systems before being appointed as President of Alliance International Airport--International Division by Ross Perot, Jr.

In addition to a lifelong career in the aviation industry, Harry dedicated more than 40 years of unselfish service to Americans in need around the world--most notably by continuing the search for and return of missing POWs and MIAs in many countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Iran, and Iraq. His tireless work included managing logistics for Ross Perot's trip of the wives of American POWs to Vietnam to provide supplies and relief to the POWs. For his devotion to humanitarianism and patriotic service, in 2007 President George W. Bush awarded Mr. McKillop with the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service, one of the most prestigious awards given to a civilian by the Department of Defense.

A man who loved history especially as it relates to his Irish roots, Ross Perot established The Harry McKillop Irish Spirit Award to honor the life of and work of his friend for his commitment to ``Irish Spirit'' in 2003. Among those to receive the award are Jean Kelly of Speedwell Trust, Rev. Bill Shaw of 174 Trust, and Richard Moore of Children in Crossfire. In honor of his work addressing the plight of POWs and MIAs from Vietnam and successive wars, as well as his support of Irish causes and business developments in Ireland, specifically Shannon Airport, The University of Limerick conferred an Honor Doctor of Economic Science on Mr. McKillop in early 2014.

Harry was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, a former Grand Knight of the New World Council 9903 in McKinney, and a member of the 4th Degree Assembly 2266 in Plano. Children in the Fourth Congressional District attend the Harry McKillop Elementary School in Melissa, Texas. He has also been honored by the McKinney Fire Department as an Honorary Battalion Chief.

Harry is survived by his wife of 27 years, Rebecca Sue, and their daughters, Mary (and husband Seth) and Tory, six children from his first marriage: Linda, Laurie, Jeff, Wayne (and wife Mary), Allison, and Tracey, as well as 22 grandchildren: Aaron, Andrew, Kittredge (and husband Jack), Kelly (and husband Ken), Finnian, Vivienne, Ryan, Tessa, Maxwell, Jane, Corey (and wife Samantha), Zachary, Lauren, Kerry, Elizabeth, Lara, Tara (and husband Shane), Nick, Ben, Daniel (and wife Samantha), Michael (and wife Hannah), and Emily, and 9 great- grandchildren: Denver, Isabella, Sage, Sean, Maddox, Canyon, Noble, Leighton, and Olive, along with 17 nieces and nephews, and his siblings, Carol and Donald. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Lucille, and his brother, Tom.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Harry Emmett McKillop and the positive impact he had upon his community and communities around the world. He was a man of faith, family, generosity, and selflessness and I believe we can all learn from his example.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest gratitude for the privilege to represent the good people of the Fourth Congressional District of Texas for the past 33 years. Other than my faith and my family, this has been the greatest blessing of my life and one for which I will always be grateful.

My service spans 5 Presidents and 7 Speakers of the House, and at the age of 91\1/2\, I am the oldest Congressman in the history of the House of Representatives--a record that was set at the slightly younger age of 89\1/2\. I have had the privilege of serving alongside some of the most dedicated and influential leaders in America's history--men and women on both sides of the aisle whose integrity and hard work have served our Nation well.

To all of you--former and current Members of the House--I thank you for your leadership and for your friendship. It has been an honor to work with you, and we have had our share of agreements and disagreements on many issues. I respect each of you and the people you represent back home--and I am proud to call so many of you my good friends.

I have been fortunate to serve on two great Committees--the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee--throughout these 33 years, with the exception of a two-year leave of absence from Energy and Commerce.

When I first came to Congress after the 1980 election, future Speaker Jim Wright asked me what committees I would like to serve on. I asked for Energy because Texas is an energy state, and I asked for Science and Space because of the importance of the space program to our Nation and the role of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on both of these.

The Science, Space, and Technology Committee has helped define the vision and establish the course for our space program, the International Space Station, and scientific research and development. The Energy and Commerce Committee has spurred energy development and innovation, telecommunications breakthroughs, and healthcare reforms, just to name a few. To the members and Chairmen of these Committees, I express my gratitude for your leadership, hard work, and collaboration.

A special thanks goes to Speaker Boehner and our Leadership for their confidence in naming me as the Ranking Member of the Science Committee for four years and as Chairman of the Committee in the past Congress, for allowing me to return to Energy and Commerce after the leave of absence, and for granting a waiver to serve on the Science Committee again in this Congress. I also want to express my gratitude to my good friend and Texas colleague Lamar Smith, Chairman of the Science Committee, for naming me Chairman Emeritus for the 113th Congress.

I am of course partial to the Texas Delegation--to this great group of men and women who not only represent Texas so well but who also have such a strong commitment to our Nation's prosperity and security. We are like family, and I thank you for your friendship and countless acts of kindness.

As Members of Congress, we could not perform our duties without the aid of dedicated and loyal staff. To my wonderful staff who have guided my office operations and supported me with their hard work, advice, and friendship, I will always be indebted. A special thanks also goes to the talented and dedicated staff of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee who supported me so ably as Ranking Member and as Chairman.

And once again, I want to express my heart-felt appreciation to those in the Fourth Congressional District who gave me their vote of confidence time and again, who gave me the benefit of their wisdom and good ideas, and who inspired me to do my best to represent their views and their vision in Washington. You will always be dear to my heart.

As I bid farewell to this great body, I do so with an abiding faith in this institution and in the commitment of those who work here. We are reminded of the responsibility given to us in a scripture that is engraved on the hearing room wall of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee--Proverbs 29:18, ``Where there is no vision, the people perish.''

Throughout my more than 50 years of public service, in the State of Texas and here in Washington, America has faced many challenges, and there are many still facing our Nation today. At 91 years of age, I am looking forward--not back--and I am confident that my colleagues will continue to strive to achieve a vision that is worthy of this great Nation, our people, and our children and grandchildren. May God bless your efforts, and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life of Cecil Mozel Bailey who recently passed away on February 23 at the age of 91. Cecil was a man of God dedicated to his faith, family, and community. I consider myself fortunate to count Cecil and his family as personal friends and I know he will be greatly missed.

Cecil was born on November 11, 1922 in Grand Saline, Texas. The values of family and hard work were ingrained in Cecil from an early age as he grew up helping his parents, Harvey and Tennie Fisher Bailey, on the family farm. After graduating from Grand Saline High School, he received an offer to play football for Arlington State College. Cecil then decided to serve his country in the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany.

After returning home from war, Cecil and his first wife Margarite raised their family together while Cecil worked as a warehouse superintendent with A&P Grocery in Dallas and served as a Sunday School Teacher and deacon at Urban Park Baptist Church.

Following the passing of his wife Margarite, Cecil returned to Grand Saline. He then married his second wife, Irene, and the two moved to Canton where they retired. His faith was important to him, and together, Cecil and Irene Bailey helped start Lakeside Baptist Church. Cecil continued to actively serve the Lord and His church body as the First Chairman of the deacons.

Family was also very important to Cecil. The Baileys enjoyed many trips together, traveling to Israel, Hawaii, Alaska, New England, and Branson. He also spent time growing large vegetable gardens, canning its produce, and sharing what he grew with his family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Cecil Bailey. He was a man who fully believed in the values of faith, family, and community, and! believe everyone can benefit from his example.