Jerry Lewis: “I must say, while I had not intended to comment at all, it is difficult to let the time pass by without expressing my…”

“I must say, while I had not intended to comment at all, it is difficult to let the time pass by without expressing my deep appreciation for the work that the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) has done with this subcommittee over the years. The leadership that the gentleman has shown has had a huge impact in our relations around the world, and I appreciate his being patient with me as I try to provide input. I would like to express my appreciation as well to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for her work and leadership on this very tough area. Mr. Chairman, there is little doubt that very few of our constituents across the country are very excited about spending their taxpayer dollars on a thing called foreign assistance. The gentleman from Alabama has been able to provide a backdrop that involves questions, for example, that relate to the child welfare or development fund that have cast a different kind of shadow. Indeed, the public is responding very positively to the positive role that we can play in strengthening democracy around the world as well as helping especially poor people and poor children around the world.”