Mike Haridopolos: “our country lost a true patriot on Saturday night. He loved this country like no other and taught all of us here so much…”

“our country lost a true patriot on Saturday night. He loved this country like no other and taught all of us here so much about our country and about what love is all about. His wife, Katie, his high school sweetheart, was always there by his side. He loved his daughters, Pam and Cathi. He was just a remarkable guy who really never ``went Washington.'' His heart was always in Brevard County. As Mr. Diaz-Balart and Ms. Wasserman Schultz said as well, he had a passion for the space industry. Before he was ever elected, he served at Kennedy Space Center. He was a part of those amazing rockets that led us during the Cold War. He served his community with honor. He was always the guy showing up at every meeting. After the 2000 election, was the one who fixed our election system in the State of Florida and became a national model. But I knew Bill best as a friend. He was a person who always took the time with all of us who wanted to understand the intricacies of how legislation was passed and how to really get things done. If you had a problem to solve back in the State Legislature, you went to Bill. Here in Congress, he served so ably for 16 years. Most importantly, as I mentioned before, his heart was always in Brevard County. But his heart was closest with his wife, Katie. As was said so well, and I want to say it again, they were inseparable.”