[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8936] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING KENNETH L. MADDY ______ HON. GARY A. CONDIT of california in the house of representatives Thursday, May 6, 1999 Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend and honor a lifetime of dedicated public service. Ken Maddy is a political legend in California's great Central Valley. A Republican in a largely Democratic district, Ken understood early what many of us have yet to learn about bipartisanship. Like the freeway which funds down the middle of the Valley bearing his name, Ken cuts through the political heart and soul of the Valley. As we pause to honor him on the occasion of his retirement after 28 years, I am reminded of his very unique leadership style. Ken skillfully forged a niche of consensus in finding solutions that proves leadership transcends political parties. To call Ken's style unique, is not to fully do it justice. Every once in a while someone comes along bringing a little something `extra' to the table. Though it isn't tangible, it is nevertheless very real and it helps define leadership ability. Ken Maddy personifies that. The Central Valley is a truly unique political arena. We pride ourselves on independent thought. We are proud of our ability to see beyond party labels and ideologies. Mr. Speaker, in large part, it is because of Ken's leadership that this thinking is prevalent today. His dedication as a public servant is exemplary. Equally impressive is his list of accomplishments. Throughout his career, Ken authored more than 400 bills which were signed into law. His vision and foresight put him on the front lines of legislative battles ranging from ethics for state legislators to crime; private property rights to reducing the scope of governmental regulations on agriculture; and balancing land use against legitimate environmental concerns. Ken was also often on the cutting edge of health care issues such as Medi-Cal and Welfare Reform, free-standing cardiac catheterization labs, surgi-centers and most recently, the Healthy Families Act. Because of his love and expertise of horse racing, Ken has virtually rewritten the horse racing law in California--writing more than 45 bills that were later adopted into law on the subject. I know he is proudest of the very significant and lasting contributions he made in helping establish the California Center for Equine Health and Performance and the Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. It is with great pride that I report to my colleagues that UC Davis officials named the building in his honor. Additionally, he was awarded the California State University Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year. One of the most telling signs of political maturity is acceptance and recognition by your peers. For three years, Ken served as Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus before serving eight years as Republican Leader. He's a text-book case on ``how to make things happen while serving in the minority party.'' Ken was awarded the Lee Atwater Minority Leader of the Year Award in 1992 by the National Republican Legislators Association and is a six- time delegate to the Republican National Convention from 1976-1996, including two terms as an RNC whip in 1976 and 1984. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to rise and join me in honoring the lifetime achievement of a great man--my good friend, Ken Maddy. ____________________