Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, it is with a very heavy heart that I rise tonight to honor and commemorate the life of a world leader, but more importantly, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a father, a brother, an uncle, a boss, a dedicated family member to so many. I offer my condolences and prayers to Don's family, to his staff. They need our comfort during these very difficult days. {time} 1740 Don was more than a colleague to many of us, myself included. He was a very good friend. We lived near each other in Washington, D.C., here, and I had the privilege to drive him home quite often. These were special moments for me which I will always cherish; for it was during these rides that he counseled me. He cracked so many jokes to cheer me up because he always knew what we were going through, and we talked about family, friends and what was really real in our lives. Don loved children, and he relished his membership on the committee on Education and the Workforce. Of course, before coming to Congress, he was the national president of the YMCA and an elementary school teacher. But, yes, Don was also a global leader. And I have traveled abroad with Don, and he was greeted as a head of state and a comrade. But Don didn't especially like traveling with large congressional delegations. He liked going by himself and with his brother to the middle of conflicts, sometimes in the bush and in the jungles, to meet with guerrilla leaders and freedom fighters.…”