Ernest Istook: “I like Jim Lightfoot. I am very glad that in his working career he got to spend some time in Oklahoma. We are grateful…”

“I like Jim Lightfoot. I am very glad that in his working career he got to spend some time in Oklahoma. We are grateful for that, so we can consider him at least to some extent an adopted son of the Sooner State. Essentially, when I was a freshman on the Committee on Appropriations and especially serving on the Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government, Jim Lightfoot more than anyone else took me under his wing, helped me to understand what was going on, comparing it with what should be going on instead. I have always been grateful for that and enjoyed the chance to serve with him on the full committee and on that subcommittee. Jim has been very patient with me, which is not always easy, as he well knows and a lot of other people do. He has been very attractive as well and interested in wanting to help listen to and act on other people's ideas. It is nice to have something in common. Jim loves flying. I started flying lessons about the time I got into politics and never got to finish, so I am jealous of that. He served in law enforcement. I had a brief law enforcement stint. It is over. I am glad, though, that he for many years as a farm broadcaster was up early in the morning because in my years in broadcasting, I only lasted a few months when I had to start a shift at 3 a.m., and he went on for years. So I am grateful for Jim Lightfoot.”