David Skaggs: “many of us have just returned this morning from a memorial service for our departed colleague, the gentleman from…”

“many of us have just returned this morning from a memorial service for our departed colleague, the gentleman from Oklahoma, Michael Synar. It was a moving tribute to an extraordinary man and a courageous public servant. Mike set the highest possible standards for himself and for this place, a place which he dearly loved. He did his best to act on principle while being fully engaged in the arena. In this place where the line between legitimate compromise and expediency is so often fuzzed, Mike Synar knew the difference. He had a clear head and a moral compass that guided him, not always with perfect outcomes but always with a perfect sense of integrity. He knew that a seat in this House was simply not worth having if there were not some things that you were willing to risk losing it over. What tribute can we give to this man? Perhaps to give back come of the love he showed for this wonderful institution of our democracy by treating each other better and respecting the principles that we all hold, principles that Mike was so true to in his own service here. Perhaps we can draw some inspiration from his life and service and do so in his name and memory.”