On the recordSeptember 6, 2018
I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for giving me this opportunity to pay my tribute to Senator John McCain. John McCain was clearly an American hero. His love and patriotism for our country knew no bounds. I first met Senator McCain in 2006 when we were on a congressional trip to Antarctica. We spent 6 days together, exploring the science and the efforts that were going on with NASA and with our Defense Department and American universities that were doing valuable research. I got to witness firsthand his self-deprecating sense of humor. Like he did with many Members and people with whom he came into contact, he gave me counsel. During those days we spent together he said: Hey, kid, if you really want to learn how to do this right--well, first of all, I liked the fact that he called me kid--you ought to listen carefully. Too many people around here don't spend enough time listening. For me, and for so many other Members and people professionally that Senator McCain came into contact with, he was a role model on how we should conduct ourselves, not only as Representatives, but also as people who want to solve problems. He, clearly, I think, set the bar quite high on how we develop bipartisan compromises. I gave a speech here last year about what has happened to the art of the political compromise. Has it become a lost art?…
