Harold Rogers: “Mr. Speaker, I think we all watched that light up there knowing that it would come on before the voting time expired…”

“Mr. Speaker, I think we all watched that light up there knowing that it would come on before the voting time expired because it always has. We have always known that, all but two Members of this body who came here senior to Mr. Natcher. That unbroken voting record, of course, is unmatched, not just in this body, but in every other national legislative body in the world. More important, Mr. Speaker, than the quantity of his votes, however, has been the quality of his service to the House and to the Nation. His devotion to duty is evidenced in these last few weeks by his painful journey to this body to cast votes, and with this incredible voting record that he has amassed, never to be superseded, there is even more proof to the body of his legislative achievement, his quietly working behind the scenes putting together those appropriations bills which made massive changes in America and its people. None of us know, Mr. Speaker, a more courteous, or dignified, or considerate human being than the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Natcher].”