Howard Berman: “I would like to commend a number of colleagues who have played pivotal roles in moving this important legislation, most…”

“I would like to commend a number of colleagues who have played pivotal roles in moving this important legislation, most specially the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), the chairman of our judiciary subcommittee. He deserves particular praise for his open-mindedness and his perseverance on this issue. There were times when people sought to impugn his motives. Notwithstanding that and the total lack of basis for that, he rose above the human tendency to retaliate and proceeded ahead, I think, very fairly and in wonderful fashion to help us come to this kind of conclusion. Without his efforts, this bill would not have had a chance of passing. I also want to recognize several colleagues who have played pivotal roles: the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary, who has been a champion for the rights of recording artists; the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher); the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren); the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler); the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt); as well as two individuals, one on the majority side, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.…”