On this final day of July, let us remember that under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, the Congress, in odd numbered years, is to adjourn for the year by this date.

Sec. 132. (a) Unless otherwise provided by the Congress,the two Houses shall--(1) adjourn sine die not later than July 31 of each year," reads the specific language.

Sometimes Congress forgets to waive that.  It happened a few years ago.

I bring this date up because of a Congressman that my father loved to tell stories about, a Republican from Iowa, named H.R. Gross, who served from 1949-1974 in the U.S. House.

Gross was one of those people who kept many in Congress from getting a big head and thinking they were somehow more special than the average American.

"Colleagues called him ''Congressman No,'' perhaps the greatest legislative nitpicker of the century," wrote the New York Times in 1982, labeling him a "a gadfly without parallel."

We haven't had an H.R. Gross for years in the Congress.  The closest we got was Rep. Bob Bauman (R-MD) in the early 1980s and the Rep. Bob Walker (R-PA) who both kept the Democratic majority on their toes.

But since Walker left, no one has taken on that job, either in the Democratic or Republican party.  And since Jesse Helms left the Senate, no one has replaced him as a Senator who could suddenly turn the place on its ear.

H.R. Gross simply kept Congress on its toes. 

Like the time my father talks about, when someone came up with the idea of developing a Congressional flag that would be flown on a lawmaker's car - to make it look more important.

"How would you fly it -- above or below the squirrel tail that some people fly off their radio antennas?" said Gross, mocking the idea on the House floor.

"How much will this boondoggle cost?'' was another common line from Gross.

Then Republican House Leader Gerald Ford (R-MI) had his troubles with the GOP lawmaker who always tried to make sure no one was spending too much money.

""There are three parties in the House: Democrats, Republicans, and H. R. Gross," said Ford.

Sometimes Gross went too far.  Like soon after the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.  Gross demanded to know who was going to pay the gas bill of the eternal flame at Kennedy's gravesite across the Potomac River.  The bill passed on a voice vote.

My father says that on July 31, Gross would pack up his bags and head home, because that was the date that Congress was to adjourn by.  That may be more of a story than reality, but on this date, it's something to think about.

I would bet that the House does go home later today, but they won't be done for the year.

"Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That when the House adjourns on the legislative day of Thursday, July 31, 2008, Friday, August 1, 2008, or Saturday, August 2, 2008, on a motion offered pursuant to this concurrent resolution by its Majority Leader or his designee, it stand adjourned until 2 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2008."