For Immediate Release

October 13, 1999

Remarks of U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks
Unveiling of Speaker Tom Foley Portrait

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tom Foley has been a friend of mine and a mentor to me for the last 30 years, so it's obviously a tremendous pleasure for me to be here tonight at the unveiling of the official portrait of Speaker Tom Foley. For years to come, Tom Foley and his career will continue to have a guiding influence on all who walk through the Speakers' Lobby and onto the floor of the House of Representatives. We are all proud that after a distinguished career in the House, Tom has returned to public service as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, a job for which he was superbly qualified. We also are pleased that his wife and partner, Heather, is here today to join us in this happy occasion. No one has worked harder on Tom's behalf than Heather Foley.

For me and for those who knew Tom Foley as the 49th Speaker of the House of Representatives, we will look at this portrait and recall, most of all, the qualities of calm counsel and constructive leadership that he demonstrated as he presided over difficult times here the House.

Despite some obvious - and occasionally strong - partisan strife in the House, Speaker Foley exerted great personal influence on the membership in keeping our serious debates about serious issues both civil and bipartisan. The record of the House in conducting these debates over terribly divisive issues during Speaker Foley's tenure speaks for itself. There can be no more serious deliberation here or in the other body than the decision to commit American men and women to armed conflict, and he (and of course Bob Michael who I'm pleased to see here today) was instrumental in maintaining a serious and thoughtful House debate during the consideration of the Persian Gulf resolution. Likewise, he was instrumental in promoting the decorum of the House during important debates on other international as well as domestic issues. Tom Foley was also a great defender of our Constitution: no one understood better the need for caution and reflection before changing the nation's fundamental legal document or the Bill of Rights.

Tom Foley truly left his mark on the Office of the Speaker, and as his portrait is entered into history this evening, it is also appropriate to recall his 30 year career as a Member of Congress. After serving for three years as a staff member to the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, he was elected by the voters of the 5th Congressional District of Washington State in 1964, to serve as a member of the 85th Congress. Originally he served as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the Interior Committee, and in 1974, after just 10 years in the House, he was elected Chairman of the Agriculture Committee - at the time the youngest full committee chairman ever elected. He served in party positions as Chairman of the Democratic Study Group and then as the Chairman of the full Democratic Caucus before be was appointed to the position of Whip in 1980 by Speaker Tip O'Neill. It was in this position, responsible for assessing the mood of the Members and for counting votes that Tom Foley really mastered how the House functioned, and how you must respect every individual Member's point of view when pursuing a legislative agenda. He was always a good listener and advisor, and I know that when I was a young member just getting my feet on the ground, it was always helpful to look up at the Board and see if there was a Yea or a Nay next to Tom Foley's name on important votes. He served as Whip until 1986, after which he was elected our Majority Leader, and then just three years later succeeded Jim Wright and became Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Most of all - and I am sure Bob Michel can attest to this - Tom Foley will be remembered as an exceedingly fair and decent man who served as the Speaker of the Whole House. As he did throughout his entire career in Congress, Speaker Tom Foley conducted debates on the merits, sharing credit in success and accepting the occasional defeat with grace and always looking ahead to the next issue and to the greater agenda. This portrait that we are unveiling tonight will serve as a lasting reminder to the House that leaders can be thoughtful, intellectual and kind. Thank you.


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