Newt Gingrich: “let me say that 11 years ago when a vacancy was filled in a special election, I do not think any of us could have…”

“let me say that 11 years ago when a vacancy was filled in a special election, I do not think any of us could have predicted the kind of mark that that new Representative would make. Those of you who might have had the good luck a few weeks ago to see the cover of the New York Times Sunday magazine saw a remarkably dapper Member of Congress right there on the cover. And he honored all of us. And as you read the article, if you did, as I did, you came to realize that this gentleman that we have been working with, as my good friend, the gentleman from Missouri pointed out, is a remarkable figure in his own community, a man who leads by eloquence, by energy, by intelligence, by courage, by a quiet civility that would be worth all of us studying on occasion. I have worked with him on a number of projects. I know of no one in this House who has been more openminded in his willingness to consider anything which would help the children of his community and which would improve the chance that they would lead a better life. I know of no one who has shown more determined calm and pleasant courage in standing for what he believes in. He has honored this institution by serving it. He has strengthened his country by his public service.”