Mark Takano: “At this time, I would like to use the remaining time I have on this amendment to make the following statement. I would…”

“At this time, I would like to use the remaining time I have on this amendment to make the following statement. I would like to take a moment to recognize Chairman Miller, who will be retiring at the end of this Congress. I have only been acting ranking member for a couple of months, but I have enjoyed working with him as a member of the committee for the last 4 years. He is a dedicated public servant. He is charming and wily, and, with a smile, he can convince anyone across the table from him that his way is the right way, even though it is not. I consider him a friend, but also a worthy adversary. Although we are at odds today on this underlying bill, I have enjoyed the bipartisan nature of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I think we set an example for the American people that Congress can come together and get things done. With all this talk about Congresswoman Dina Titus' Appeals Modernization bill, I am reminded of another Titus bill. I worked with the chairman to include language in the Choice Act that increased the number of graduate medical education slots at the VA--1,500, to be exact. It was one of my proudest moments as a legislator, and I will look back fondly on the experience of working with Chairman Miller. We did right by veterans, and we did right by the American people. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for your service, and I wish you the best of luck with your retirement. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.…”