Don Payne was a real citizen of the world, a quiet and dignified gentleman, but he had a fierce commitment to justice and human rights everywhere.

When I heard that his situation was grave, I gave a call to his brother, Bill, whom I had gotten to know on trips that he and Don took, and had the privilege then of speaking with Don.

I wanted to point out and thank you for the fact that 54 million Americans were provided at least one preventive service in 2011 through their private health insurance plan for no cost.

On rollcall Nos. 83--Thompson/Eshoo Amendment, 84--McNerney Amendment No. 3, and 85--McNerney Amendment No. 4, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Garamendi The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished…

I would like to work with you on that.

That is saying a lot. As I said before, and as Ray LaHood was alluding to, as many differences that may have existed across the aisle, recognizing the importance of transportation for commerce, for business, for everyday Americans getting…

One of the themes that the President has underscored over and over again is that everybody should get a fair shot and everybody pay their fair share and everybody play by the same rules. When we talk about where should the money come from…

I think there has been a real demonization of all public sector workers lately, and that is why I'm so glad tonight we're able to put a face on these individuals and say who are they, what kind of work are they really doing. But beyond…

It's estimated, actually, that those individuals could probably make as much as 26 percent more working in the private sector, but they want to contribute to the common good and work for all of us. Then, in order to pay for our…

Let me also say this. Some argue that, oh, well, it's such a cushy job to work for the Federal Government and that Federal employees actually make more money than in the private sector. Let me explain that. As for the people who work in…

Well, let me give you an example. We have seen the unemployment rate now drop to 8.3 percent, and that's not good, but it's better. We've seen it drop, and we have seen 23 months now of private sector job growth every month, which is a…

For 2 years. That's about $30 billion a year in cuts. So they've already given up, really, about $60 billion from a normal increase in wages just to pay for the cost of things going up. Everybody knows that the cost of food and gasoline…