Jerry Lewis: “Tom Ewing, I very much appreciate your yielding me this time, and especially appreciate having this special order in…”

“Tom Ewing, I very much appreciate your yielding me this time, and especially appreciate having this special order in memory of Ed Madigan. Ed Madigan was one of the greatest Secretaries of Agriculture that this country will ever have. Ed Madigan was one of the finest human beings that one could ever hope to meet. Much has been said about his hometown of Lincoln, IL, and the parallel between Ed and other great leaders from his State. Ed Madigan was, first and foremost a member of the House. Nobody, but nobody, in my experience reflected more the qualities and the mix of talent and personality that makes a great Congressman than Ed Madigan. I must say that my picture of him at this moment was back there behind the rail off the House floor. I was a new Member coming from California, frustrated by the longstanding minority status that we experienced in the House. New Members, who served in their own State legislature as Ed did, quickly learned that you didn't have much to say around this place being in the minority. Ed saw my frustration, came up to me one day, and suggested that I spend some time working within his circle, within the leadership.”