Sonny Bono: “I want first to express thanks to my wonderful family for being with me on this special day. It is an honor and a…”

“I want first to express thanks to my wonderful family for being with me on this special day. It is an honor and a privilege to share this moment with my mother and father, Karen and Clay Whitaker, my children Chianna and Chesare, my godson William Rodriguez, and all the other members of my family, along with the many friends and staff who are here today. Your help and support have made this possible. However, one person who is not with us today is very much in my thoughts and always in my heart. His wisdom and his guidance helped me prepare for the difficult road I have traveled, and his spirit is giving me the strength to meet the many challenges that lie before me. Sonny was an incredible force in my life, and many of you who served with him will recall the impact he had on everyone who met him. I want to thank each of you and the thousands of people from around the world who expressed their sympathy and love on his passing for your generous words of tribute and praise. As I stand here in the people's House, I understand why this Chamber held so much meaning for my late husband. More than any of his other accomplishments, and there were many, Sonny's service to the people of California's 44th district was his proudest achievement. I will do my best to live up to the legacy that he has left and continue to bring his common sense approach to serving the people of this great Nation.”