Joe Cunningham: “I think the diligence of the chairman, the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Taylor], is extraordinary, especially in…”

“I think the diligence of the chairman, the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Taylor], is extraordinary, especially in the case of his medical problem, and he has fought back, and I want to thank the chairman. I would also like to thank the ranking minority member, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran]. As he knows, I just gave Mary a box of candy from California and there is another one where that comes from, I would say to the gentleman, to sweeten him up. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], the chairman of the full committee. I have never voted for a D.C. bill in the 6 years I have been here, because it has been general practice to just have business as normal. The gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston] says, 'Well, Duke, you complain about it. If you think it is broke, fix it.' So I get my pittance on the D.C. appropriations bill, but I want to tell my colleagues something that is rewarding: The gentleman from California [Mr. Dixon] has been wonderful, and I even thank the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] for his mellowing in his later years. Mr. Chairman, I have spoken to Members, and I realize that on the political side of this, it is difficult. It is difficult in some cases for our Republican Members to go against the special interests of the unions. I understand it is difficult for Members on the other side at the same time, and I have talked to them about it.”