Rick Lazio: “I guess, like Congresswoman Clayton, I remember my friend as a little bit of a prankster, someone with a sense of humor…”

“I guess, like Congresswoman Clayton, I remember my friend as a little bit of a prankster, someone with a sense of humor who would joke, a man who certainly had dignity and guts, who showed independence and brilliance, but also was not beyond whispering something very funny in your ear as you went down the aisle. As it turned out, I met Ham Fish not 15 or 20 years ago but only 4 years ago now when I was beginning my first term in Congress. He was finishing up what would end up being his last term in Congress. But almost immediately, he and I struck out together for what might be an unlikely duo, sort of an odd couple, to hang out in the back of this Chamber, talk a little bit, see each other once in a while, what were very civilized and very social New York State delegation meetings. I remember him enjoying his sundae ice cream with complete relish on his face as the desserts were offered. I remember him in flashes of both frustration and annoyance at things that we did in this body, a sense of defiance when he thought we were going down the wrong path out of political expediency. Ham Fish was somebody who had the ability to have a sense of honor and a sense of humor. He was able to mix both with a good old Yankee pragmatism, and I think he represents the very best traditions of the Republican Party and of this Chamber. He was a man of great courage who always kept his bearings. During my freshman term, I always thought that he was protective of me.…”