TJ Cox: “When 48 years ago Jerry Solomon left college to volunteer for the Marine Corps, to deal with the Communist invasion of…”

“When 48 years ago Jerry Solomon left college to volunteer for the Marine Corps, to deal with the Communist invasion of South Korea, he started a lifetime of service to his country. As I look on the floor and see the portraits of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, I see two men whom we can see in Jerry Solomon, soldier statesmen who loved their country even when for them it was just an idea, the idea of freedom to which Jerry has committed his life. There was somebody else that I met and had a chance to work for that I thought was unique, President Ronald Reagan. I worked for him in the White House. I was quite sure that I should have given up my job in California and come to work for Ronald Reagan because there would never be another one like him, but I found here in the House of Representatives one like him, one very much like him, Jerry Solomon, the chairman of the Rules Committee, who is tough as nails on issues, just like Ronald Reagan was, but who interpersonally is friendly and courteous and respectful of his colleagues and of his constituents. He smiles a lot. Because just as much as he loves his country, he loves life.”