James Oberstar: “I rise in support of H.R. 5427, a bill to designate the federal building in Roswell, New Mexico as the ``Joe Skeen…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 5427, a bill to designate the federal building in Roswell, New Mexico as the ``Joe Skeen Federal Building''. Congressman Skeen has ably represented the citizens of the 2nd district of New Mexico for 22 years. He was first elected to Congress in 1980 as a write-in candidate, becoming only the 3rd person to be elected to Congress in this manner. With his most recent reelection in 2000, he became New Mexico's longest serving member of the United States Congress. Throughout his career, Joe Skeen has fought consistently for local land management, for the rights of miners and farmers, and the ranching industry. He has also been a champion of popular federal nutrition programs such as food stamps and school lunches, and he has labored tirelessly to obtain defense funds for New Mexico's defense industry. Congressman Skeen's long career in this Body is perhaps most distinguished by his service on the Appropriations Committee.”