GENflNI AND APOLLO 



165 



Whether fishing, playing gin rummy, or presiding over a committee 

 meeting, Teague is frank and direct. But he can be blunt and sharp, 

 too. 



Teague's sense of humor is robust and unforgettable. Early in 1959, 

 Maj. Gen. Bernard A. Schricvcr, who headed the Air Force Ballistic 

 Missile Command, was briefing the committee in a classified session. 

 Suddenly, Teague lowered his voice and asked in a confidential tone: 

 "May I say one thing in complete secrecy?" A sudden hush fell over 

 the committee room, as several Members leaned forward expectantly. 

 In a dramatically sepulchral voice, Teague announced: 



The general went to the same school I went to and graduated one year ahead of me. 

 It is one of the best schools in the country. 



Teague has successfully preserved nonpartisanship and bipartisan- 

 ship on the Science Committee. Thus, when Teague chose Astronaut 

 Jack Swigert as the committee staff director in 1973, Swigert warned 

 him: "Before you hire me you should know that I'm a registered 

 Republican." Teague's immediate response was: "Jack, I don't give 

 a damn but if you ever mention Republican or Democrat in that 

 committee, I'll fire you. You should know that." 



Chairman Teague (left) and Neil A. Armstrong, the first man to set loot on the Moon. 



