Leonard L. Boswell: “Thank you, Congressman Latham. This is the first day we've actually talked, except for election night when I called to…”

“Thank you, Congressman Latham. This is the first day we've actually talked, except for election night when I called to say congratulations. Our little conversation we had a few moments ago before this started was kindly, and I think I appreciated you coming to me and saying what you did in this event that took place last November. So I wish you well, and I appreciate the cordial treatment you have given me today. Some suggest to me, You may not want to do this; he was your opponent. I said, No. We're from Iowa. We don't do things like that. That's protocol. You made me proud today, and I thank you for it. I've said this on other occasions, as you've heard me, I have a regret. I'm sorry my mother couldn't have heard this discussion today. I owe a lot of appreciation to those of you left in the room. I realize most people had to flee for the airport, as we normally all do. Thank you for staying and doing this. I do want to pay tribute to my wife, Dody. I think she's probably watching. Sweetheart, I hope you have enjoyed this, as well as my children-- Terri, Diana, Cindy, and Joe--and their families and many friends. I hadn't planned on this all coming to this kind of a closure, but it's caused me to reflect back over life, and I feel very blessed. Tom, you heard it too many times. I started out in a tented farmhouse. You did hear that a time or two, I'm sure, in days past.…”