James A. Leach: “it is with sadness I would like to formally report to the House the passing of one of our most distinguished Members of…”

“it is with sadness I would like to formally report to the House the passing of one of our most distinguished Members of the 20th century, Barber Conable of New York. Barber retired from the House over a decade ago, so many current Members are not familiar with Barber except by his reputation. Let me just stress that Barber Conable was the quintessential public servant. In Congress he was an expert on all matters of taxation. He led the Republican Party on the Committee on Ways and Means, rising to be the ranking member. He was identified with particular issues such as reductions in capital gains, also for the development of revenue sharing. Prior to serving in the Congress, he was in the United States Military, having served in both World War II and the Korean conflict, and he rose to the rank of Colonel. After leaving the Congress of the United States, where he, by the way, had been a close friend of the former President of the United States, George Bush, he was appointed to head the World Bank. He came to be known as a leader of the bank as interested for the world environment as well as for world economic growth. All of us in life have been privileged to have mentors. I would just simply say in this body this Member never considered anyone more a model legislator and mentor than Barber Conable. He was simply the most decent, the most thoughtful, the most intelligent, and the least political individual I have served with.”