Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Phil Roe, Representative of Tennessee's First District, as he chooses to end this chapter in his life and return to being a private citizen. On television, many Americans are left with the impression that the U.S. House of Representatives is a place of constant combat. Naturally, over the past two centuries, the House has seen many great debates about the future of our Nation. Debate at its essence is about passionately arguing for your preferred course of action. The beauty of the people's House and the reason that former Speaker Longworth described the House as coming nearer reflecting at all time the popular will than does any other individual or legislative body in this or any other country is that we debate in earnest, yet we do so with a premium on civility. But, alas, as I say, many Americans are left, based on the evening cable entertainment shows, with the opposite impression. My experience over the past 6 years is that this Chamber is, in fact, a place where the great issues of the day are debated and where, through that work and debate, firm friendships are established. Those friendships extend across the aisle, across cultures, and across generations. Over the past 6 years, I have come to have the greatest respect for one of my colleagues who, after 12 years, has elected to leave the House and return to that most basic title that we all hold with honor, that of citizen.…”