Sam Farr: “I guess we are all in shock, considering that yesterday at this time our colleague was en route to this very room, and…”

“I guess we are all in shock, considering that yesterday at this time our colleague was en route to this very room, and today he is not with us. I do not know what we all have to say, except to reflect on the fact that we serve in an institution that he campaigned to be here in a style which is remarkable, because he comes here with such unusual gifts that this institution needs. He has a doctorate. There are not many Members of Congress that have doctorates. He has written 14 books. Not many Members have written any. He was an incredible human being with just a family that is the envy of everyone. And I guess as the son of a politician, I rise sort of for Lisa and for Todd and Laura, who are his kids, who no longer have a father, and for Lois, his wife, who is just a remarkable woman. I think his life teaches that we have to take a look at this institution, at the way we treat one another, the way we treat our radical schedule, and remember that he represented on this battlefield of this floor, a peacemaker. We need more peacemakers. And we need to make sure that Walter Capps, who was a gift to this institution, shall not die in vain, that in his memory this institution will better itself and that we will be more civil, that we will better treat our schedule and people who serve in public office.”