Matt Gaetz: “I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding, and I also thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding, and I also thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her lifetime of service. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was my State Representative the day I was born. This is a fact she does not frequently like being reminded of, but it shows the duration and the level of her commitment to the community in south Florida, to the country, and to the world. What I always remember Ileana's service for is the commitment that she had to vulnerable people. Whether it was children who were in need of good schools or seniors in need of hospice care, Ileana could always be counted on to fight for the vulnerable, for those who might not have the fancy lobbyists or the powerful special interests in their corner. But when Ileana was in someone's corner, they had a pretty good chance to be successful, whether it has been in the Halls of Congress or in our State capital in Tallahassee. I am perhaps most moved by the role model that Ileana has set for women all over the world. Recently, I had the opportunity to travel with Ileana to Jordan, where there are the initial sprout-ups of democracy. Ileana met with young women who had an interest in the political process, running for office, campaigning, organizing in their neighborhoods and in their communities for a better life. They were able to bear witness to this amazing American lady who had done so much, who had broken through so many barriers.…”