[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 4944-4945] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING BILL O'CONNOR ______ HON. FRANK D. LUCAS of oklahoma in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I would like to take the time to recognize the retirement of a longtime Republican aide on the House Agriculture Committee: Bill O'Conner. For more than 30 years, Bill O'Conner has come to be known as a highly knowledgeable staffer who could work with members and aides from both sides of the aisle, respected for his professionalism, and appreciated for the experience and expertise he contributed to policy discussions. Although Bill was raised in Kansas, I am proud to recognize that he was born in my home state of Oklahoma. He graduated from Wichita State University. And after serving a tour with the Marines, he earned his master's degree at Wichita State University and continued to do doctoral work at Ohio State University. Bill's long career on Capitol Hill began in 1979 when he first worked as an analyst for the House Republican Conference. In 1981, he became the Executive Director of the House Republican Research Committee under the Chairmanship of Rep. Ed Madigan of Illinois. Two years later when Rep. Madigan became the Ranking Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, Bill was appointed the Deputy Minority Staff Director. For the next seven years, Bill was responsible for policy and legislative development for Agriculture Committee Republicans. In 1991, Rep. Madigan became the Secretary of Agriculture and appointed Bill as his Chief of Staff. Bill served in that role through the balance of President George H.W. Bush's administration. In 1993, Bill returned to the Republican House Agriculture Committee as Policy Director under Rep. Pat Roberts of Kansas. He continued as Policy Director or Staff Director for the remainder of his career working under Rep. Bob Smith of Oregon, Rep. Larry Combest of Texas, Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, and Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. Bill's knowledge and experience made him an essential staffer in the development and implementation of U.S. agriculture policy. He played a key role in the reauthorization of five farm bills. And, he has been regarded as an expert on agriculture policy matters by both Republicans and Democrats, House and Senate members. One story that highlights the trust Bill earned from members of Congress happened in 2003 when the Agriculture Committee received reconciliation instructions. Rep. Dennis [[Page 4945]] Hastert, then Speaker of the House, called a members meeting to discuss the instructions, which included Bill as staff director of the committee. Prior to starting the meeting, Speaker Hastert announced to the group that he wanted everyone to know that in 1986 Ed Madigan dispatched Bill O'Conner to assist with his first campaign to Congress. Madigan advised him to quote ``listen to everything this man tells you.'' Hastert continued to say that he did then and has done so every day since. It is fair to say that every Chairman and Ranking Member on the Agriculture Committee for whom Bill has worked was also wise to follow Mr. Madigan's advice. We remain grateful for Bill's dedication and service. His leadership, knowledge, experience, and professionalism will be missed, but we do wish him and his family the very best in the future. ____________________