Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, 21 years ago, January of 1993, I was sworn into the 103rd Congress as the 28th Representative of the historic First Congressional District of Illinois. One of the first Members of Congress to welcome me with the most heartwarming words and smile was none other than my friend from the great State of Michigan, Congressman John David Dingell, Jr. John Dingell has trained me, worked with me, and inspired me far more than most other Members of this House. I can't think of any other Member in Congress who has spent the kind of time and energy teaching me the ropes than John Dingell. John Dingell, Mr. Speaker, will go down in U.S. history as being one of the most powerful House committee chairmen of all times. That is why, Mr. Speaker, around Washington, D.C., throughout the Nation, and throughout this Congress, he was and will continue to be respectfully known as the ``lion of the House.'' While some may ascribe that honor to his forceful personality, Mr. Speaker, in my experience with John and watching him operate as chairman, he used a scalpel more than a sledgehammer to score his legislative wins and to gather up and earn the respect of all the Members not only of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, but the Members of this House on both sides of the aisle. Many will say that the secret to John's success has been his unrivaled mastery of parliamentary procedures and institutional memory.…”