David Loebsack: “Thank you, my colleague Tom Latham from Iowa. This is my sixth year here in Congress. I'm just finishing it up, but this…”

“Thank you, my colleague Tom Latham from Iowa. This is my sixth year here in Congress. I'm just finishing it up, but this is only the third time that I've actually come to the floor to speak during Special Orders. That's how important it is for me to do this. The first time was when I was arguing for Boeing to get the tanker deal, when that was a big issue before our country. The second time was when I was pushing hard to make sure that the STOCK Act was passed so that Members could not trade on insider knowledge. Now I'm here for my good friend Leonard Boswell. It's not that I don't come to the floor very much--I do speak for bills, what have you--but not during Special Orders. This is only the third time, and it's with very good reason. I want to note at the outset here, too, how many Members of the Iowa delegation are here, including a former Member, Jim Nussle. It is really fantastic that you're here today, Jim. This is really an honor for Leonard. To think that you're here is just absolutely very special. When you say ``Special Orders,'' Mr. Speaker, it applies in this case. I didn't know Leonard Boswell very well when I first got elected in 2006. I knew him but not very well. I was not an elected official before I got elected in 2006, but I'd been involved in Democratic Party politics for a number of years in helping other folks get elected.…”