Joe Barton: “my father was a combat navigator in World War II. He flew a B-24 liberator on 50 combat missions. He won every combat…”

“my father was a combat navigator in World War II. He flew a B-24 liberator on 50 combat missions. He won every combat award the Army Air Corps could award except the Congressional Medal of Honor. I am glad he did not win that one or I would not be here. When I got elected to Congress I went to him and I asked him for some advice. I said: Dad, what should I do when I get up there? He said: Son, always pick a good pilot. I said: Pick a good pilot. What do you mean? He said: There are going to be lots of rascals in Washington and they're going to try to flimflam you; but if you've got a good pilot, he'll set the right course and he'll always get you home. Last week the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) was the toast of the town on the liberal side because he was holding out for the Patients' Bill of Rights. He negotiated an agreement with the White House and President Bush which I have looked at this afternoon, it looks pretty good to me, and all of a sudden today he is accused of selling out. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Georgia is a good pilot. I would fly with him anywhere. The day the gentleman from Georgia sells out is the day 'In God We Trust' that is on the facade behind us falls off that facade. I am with the gentleman from Georgia, I am going to vote for this bill, and I say God bless the gentleman from Georgia, he is a good man.”