Show Report From W Washington By REPRESENTATIVE LAURENCE J. J BURTON UTAH R Among the many jobs a congressman congressman congressman con con- gressman has both official and unofficial is one of serving as asa asa asa a public relations man for his home district and state Whenever Whenever Whenever When When- ever we get an opportunity we like to let people know about the scenic beauty the healthy climate climate climate cli cli- mate the wonderful people and the terrific business opportunities ties that our respective areas have Each congressman naturally thinks he represents the best district district district dis dis- dis- dis in the nation The only difference difference dif dif- di- di ference is however tha others others oth oth- oth ers just think theirs is the best I KNOW that mine is Congressional offices as a arule arule arule rule are decorated with paintings paintings paintings paint paint- ings photographs maps and objects objects objects ob ob- ob- ob of art that best show off the congressman's district Inthis In Inthis Inthis this regard some of us are much more fortunate than oth oth- ers And the congressman who represents the First District of Utah is in my book the most fortunate of all Who else has got gota a Lake Powell a Bryce Canyon a Arches Dinosaur Dinosaur Dino Dine Capitol Reef Rainbow Bridge the Great Salt Lake the High Flaming Gorge forests such as the Cache and Manti-LaSal Manti Logan and Ogden Canyons Mt and Bear Lake to name some but certainly not all of the wonderful wonder wonder- ful geographic features of the area Of course my friend Rogers Morton of Maryland might remind remind remind re re- re- re mind me that we dont don't have the ocean in Utah like he does in his congressional district And William Villiam Henry Harrison of Wyoming Wyoming Wyoming Wyo Wyo- ming has a good case when he argues for Yellowstone Park and Jackson Hole The congressmen who have in their districts the significant historically areas of the East or unusual features like the Everglades or the Great or the lush rolling farmlands such as they have in Pennsylvania all have something worth bragging about But all things considered if I 1 were to trade my district for someone else's provided I could of course my reputation as a bargainer wouldn't be worth very much Scenery isn't all that members members members mem mem- bers of the House take local pride in either Not too long ago Rep Joe of Kansas took to the floor to make a speech on the beauty of the women women wom worn en from his state He has a point too because as he reminded reminded reminded re re- re- re minded us a Kansas girl has been chosen Miss America in two of the last three years Then there are the congressmen congress congress- men who get carried away with the athletic accomplishments of their constituents Lee Hamilton of Indiana the other day felt called upon to make a speech to the House proclaiming his state the football capital of the country country country coun coun- try of the country He cited the fact that Indiana schools Indiana University Purdue and Notre Dame were all ranked among the top ten college college college col col- col- col lege football teams at the close of the 1967 season Some of my colleagues from California were heard to mutter Wait until Indiana Indiana Indiana In In- diana meets Southern California in hi the Rose Bowl then well we'll see where the real football capital is loca located ted Another sports chauvinist is Rep William Villiam J. J Randall of Mis Mis- He comes from Kansas City and has a sign on the door of his office that reads Kansas City Chiefs Champs Mr Randall had better live it up while he can as his Chiefs have already been eliminated from this years year's American Football League title chase and a new champ will take over shortly and aown of course will come the sign I dont don't suppose hell he'll replace it it with one that says Kansas City Chiefs Also Rans None of the schools in Utah's first district set any football records this year although Brigham Brigham Brigham Brig- Brig ham Young Utah State and Weber Weber We We- ber State all had respectable sea sea- sons But as long as there is some bragging and boasting to tobe tobe tobe be done regarding the world of sports let me get in a word for our Merlin Olsen Utah ex-Utah State Aggie and currently one of the Fearsome Foursome of the National Football Leagues League's Los Angeles Rams With his picture on my office wall I 1 wouldn't have to take a back seat to any congressman whether he came from the football capital of the country or not Merlin's credentials are arc as asgood asgood asgood good as This is his sixth year in the National Football Football Foot Foot- ball baU League His first year he made the rookie all squad and in each year since he has been named to the Pro all-Pro team Just this past week he was selected again by Associated Press as Pro all-Pro for the 1967 season Hes He's even good enough to make TV commercials The 65 defensive tackle is also a scholar schol schol- I ar r practically straight A as asa asa asa a business major at and by all accounts a real nice guy With all of these accomplishments accomplish accomplish- ments he has to rank up there therewith therewith therewith with and the High as one of the best features features fea tea tures of the First Congressional District Like practically everyone else I was glued before my television television television sion set on Saturday before last when Merlin's Rams played the Green Bay Packers in what certainly certainly certainly was one of the most exciting exciting ex ex- citing football games ever play play- ed The Rams won in the last few seconds as everyone knows when blocked a Green Bay punt and scored a touchdown two plays later Big No 74 from Logan n was a principal contributor tor to the Ram effort just as ashe ashe ashe he has been in every game behas he be has played |