Like my colleagues here today, I am deeply concerned that as we begin to transition out of Afghanistan we are at risk of losing those hard-fought gains. Tragic news stories like the recent brutal murder of a young girl in northern…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in support of the motion to instruct offered by my good friend Mrs. Davis from California. This measure would ensure that the Afghan Women and Girls Security Promotion…

I also thank you for the experiences we've had working together on the Education Committee and being the Bermuda Triangle that we always laughed about, sitting on our side with Tom Osborne. We made a nice triangle to put things like…

But my children, we raised them, I think, well, and we raised them to be independent. We didn't think that they would be so independent. One lives in London with her husband and three children, one lives in Los Angeles with her husband and…

We have no other Members that are here so I would just like to say, again, thanks so much to my colleagues, and particularly my family. Some have been with me these entire 14 years and some have arrived after the start of the 14 years. To…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I begin this Special Order for those Members on this side of the aisle who are retiring or who are leaving at the end of 2012, so I rise today not to say goodbye, but to say thank you. After 14 wonderful and…

And I thank you, the minority whip, so much for those comments. That really is very kind of you, and I appreciate it.

I really appreciate that. Thank you. You were great as chairman, great as ranking member, and I think education is where it all starts in this most important committee. Thank you.

I thank the gentleman. I will always think of you as the green man from Colorado. Now I would like to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Todd Platts, who is also retiring.

You know, I just would like to say how we have worked together, and I really appreciate all that you have done. And what's different is that you had this family. And that is the hardest thing to have, you know, the kids and a wife, but to…

Thank you. I yield 1 minute to Mr. Yoder. Congratulating Kansas House Speaker Michael O'Neal