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“WES WATKINS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH LAB AND POST OFFICE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2328-E2329 on Sept. 22, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WES WATKINS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH LAB AND POST OFFICE
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speech of
HON. JOHN SULLIVAN
of oklahoma
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor my friend and former colleague, Wesley ``Wes'' Watkins. H.R. 1713 would name the United States Department of Agriculture's South Central Research Laboratory in Lane, Oklahoma, and the facility of the U.S. Postal Service in Bennington, Oklahoma, in honor of the former Congressman Wes Watkins, who represented Oklahoma for 20 years.
Throughout Congressman Watkins's career, he devoted his life to the people of Oklahoma. He began his career of public service in 1974 when he was elected to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate. After U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert announced his retirement after 30 years in office, Congressman Watkins was elected to Congress in 1976. During his time in office, Wes would become the only Oklahoma Congressman to serve on all three major House financial committees, including Appropriations, Budget, and Ways and Means, where he used his influence to increase funding for rural economic development and education programs in the Third District of Oklahoma.
Wes is a man of principal. I am honored to know him and to have worked with him in Congress. He served the great state of Oklahoma and America proudly. I ask that you all join me in supporting H.R. 1713 which recognizes and honors a great public servant to Oklahoma and our Nation.
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