William Tauzin: “I take this special order tonight so that Members of the Louisiana delegation and colleagues from across our country can…”

“I take this special order tonight so that Members of the Louisiana delegation and colleagues from across our country can honor the service of a gentleman who will be leaving our body as a Member on the 28th of this month, just a few days from now; that being the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston). Of course, Louisiana is still literally in shock that we are losing the services of this man who has represented our State so admirably for so many years, since 1977 when he first came by virtue of a special election, the first Republican elected in the First District of Louisiana in 102 years, and has served our State for the past 11 terms, and most recently for the last four years as chairman of the most important committee of this body, the Committee on Appropriations. Bob is leaving many, many friends behind when he takes his leave from us on the 28th, not just friends and colleagues who have worked with him but friends who have known him personally, as I have, and others, throughout his political career. Bob is an extraordinary individual and, as he leaves this body, I thought it important that we take some time out to say thank you to him for his friendship, his service to our State and this country and to the many people of the First District in Louisiana who mourn and grieve the fact that he will be leaving public service in just a few days.”