Brian Bilbray: “I rise in recognition of a gentleman who changed not only many of us personally but who changed this institution…”

“I rise in recognition of a gentleman who changed not only many of us personally but who changed this institution overall. Sonny Bono truly was the Will Rogers of this Congress. He was a man who brought common sense and the reminder to all of us that what really matters is what happens to America, not what happens to those of us in Congress. He reminded all of us that the people who are really important are not people in Washington, D.C. but the people out in the rest of America. I think that I had the privilege of knowing Sonny actually before the other Members of Congress for a lot of reasons, not just because I was from California but because myself and Sonny Bono ended up being seated together during freshman orientation, and it was my privilege to learn about a man who had gone through many things, who had accomplished many things without all the benefits and advantages that many of us here in Congress had. Sonny Bono was a man who was able to remind us again and again that we are not what is essential for America, but what we do for the American people is what is absolutely essential. Sonny's legislative packages were not highlighted with great press conferences and great activity, but things like defending the right of the initiative of the people's vote by requiring three judges to review the citizen's initiatives before it is overturned was basic, strong, good legislation, not just for California but for all of America.”