Well, I thank you, my friend from Arkansas. It's too bad that the E in EPA now means ``espionage'' because the EPA rents airplanes and videotapes from the air farmers and ranchers and feedlots in their daily activities without any reason…

I've been pleased to work with Congressman Thompson in providing this commonsense amendment to enhance the conservation goals in our country. Our farmers and ranchers are the first stewards of the land. This amendment would simply continue…

I have an amendment at the desk as the designee of the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson). The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 260, line 11, strike the closed…

There is something especially disturbing about the cruel violence that accompanies the termination of unborn children who, as evidence shows, could survive if they were just given the chance. This debate is not some waste of time. This is…

I also want to thank you for coming in and visiting with me, and I appreciate that you took the time to have a conversation.

Do you think that that would be one of your priorities, if you would be confirmed?

Before you leave, Congressman Lipinski, let me first of all say thanks. I'm very deeply grateful to you for two things. One is your personal friendship. The second is the gift of your leadership on these essential American issues. I think…

That is an outstanding point to make. It's something, as I tried to state earlier, that we so take for granted-- our rights of conscience as we exercise them through faith, through prudential judgment in our everyday lives. It has been…

Now I'd like to turn to my new friend, Congressman Mark Meadows, from near Ashland, North Carolina. He was newly elected for this Congress. And I'm just going to say this--and I hope this doesn't embarrass you--I consider you a rising…

Thank you, Dr. Cassidy, for your powerful words as well. As you were speaking, I was reminded of the fact that this is America. We disagree with what the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services have done with health care…

Tonight's discussion is not about politics. It's not about partisanship. It's about principle. It's about an American ideal, an ideal so common, so ordinary that we don't think about it very much; yet this ideal is essential to a…

Dr. Fleming, thank you as well for your leadership. To know that you gave up a medical practice to enter into public service and stand here today defending this deep, essential American principle, the rights of conscience, and as it…

Thank you, Congressman Pitts, for your forceful words and your leadership. We're very, very grateful. I would now like to call upon my good friend, Dr. John Fleming from Louisiana. As a dedicated physician who cares deeply about the health…

I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his thoughtful and powerful remarks. I particularly noted what you said, that the rights of conscience go way beyond the issues of health care. That was very well put. Thank you very much for your…

What a powerful and beautiful story you shared with us. I had no idea about your family being one of the founding families of this country. And now 13 generations later, you stand here with the mantle of authority now on your shoulders…

Thank you, Congressman Smith, for your very powerful words. I think, before you leave, I should say this. We also value your leadership. For decades now you've stood in this House well, even when it wasn't the most popular thing to do--as…

Thank you so much, Congressman Jordan, for your thoughtful words and your powerful presentation. Thank you for your tireless leadership on this and so many other issues. Thank you for coming tonight. I think it is most appropriate that the…

Thank you, Congresswoman Black. We are so grateful for your leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________