Barbara Kennelly: “Thank you, Jim, for those kind words. I really enjoyed working with you also. These past 2 years have been incredibly…”

“Thank you, Jim, for those kind words. I really enjoyed working with you also. These past 2 years have been incredibly busy. You heard Jim's report. Now get ready, I am going to take more than 1 minute, to be sure. We have done so much. Each year when Connie was president and following, it is magnificent work how much work this staff is able to accomplish, and include the Members who want to be active. Tell your friends how much they can get out of this Association and how we have grown. We are really becoming part of the scene here. Listening to Steny, aren't we lucky. We are totally nonpartisan. We all get along. If that can happen, it can happen to them, too. As Jim has already demonstrated when reporting on our domestic undertakings, we are just as busy and impactful in the larger world. This is certainly true in our international work. In addition to the domestic programs Jim has just described, our Association has a very active and far-reaching international focus. We conduct programs focused on Europe and Asia. We bring current Members of Congress together with their peers in legislatures overseas. Just last week, a group came back from China. Some of you are sitting right here. I understand it was a marvelous trip and you were exhausted, but that is the way it should be. We partner with former parliamentarians from other countries for democracy strengthening missions.…”