On the recordDecember 10, 2014
It is truly an honor to pay tribute to two legislators, two lions of the United States Congress whom I am honored to have had the privilege to serve with for 2 years. Henry, it is often said that there is nothing more important than one's health, and no one has done more to improve the health of Americans than the gentleman from California, Henry Waxman. He provided better health care for the elderly and poor through improved Medicare and Medicaid programs, offered Federal help to those with HIV and AIDS, and vastly expanded the use of less expensive generic drugs, on and on and on. Henry also worked to advance public health by improving the environment in which we live. This included pushing for legislation to protect the quality of our air, water, and food. Now, George, my neighbor, just to the north, I will never forget the first day I met George. It was in our caucus meeting. He came up to me and he said, ``How old are you?'' I told him I was 31 years old. He said he was about the same age, just a little bit younger, when he was elected. He gave me one piece of advice. He said, ``You are not elected in this town until you are reelected. You go home every single weekend and you represent your constituents.'' I saw George every single weekend flying home on that plane, and I never felt sorry for myself because I know that George went home for the past 40 years every single weekend. He has also stood up and advocated for working families.…
