The Center for Legislative Archives   Interview Notes Index
Interview with Rep. Michael J. Kirwan (D-OH) June 9, 1959
General remarks: Couldn't keep him on the point--Appropriations
Committee is all that stands between us and the fate of Rome,
Spain, et cetera--a cutter.  "I'll tell you this. Before I came
on the Appropriations Committee, I didn't know anything. After I
got on the Appropriations Committee I learned plenty fast--you
get the point I mean?"  How on the Committee? He saw "the powers
that be", and spoke specifically to the man who represented his
interests on the Ways and Means Committee--says he requested
Appropriations.  Regarding assignments on his subcommittee: He
said that he did have some influence this year--"I didn't want
one fellow who wanted to get on who was from west of the
Mississippi. There are too many people from west of the
Mississippi. You look at the Interior and Insular Affairs
Committee, and there's not one from east of the Mississippi."
Advice to new men: "Follow the chair