William Tauzin: “Of course, I can tell you countless stories, particularly from my Louisiana experience in the Louisiana legislature…”

“Of course, I can tell you countless stories, particularly from my Louisiana experience in the Louisiana legislature, about how Members who have spent time with another and have come to know and love, and respect one another in the same way that Peter has talked so admirably about some of my Democratic colleagues who have such a history of contribution to our country, who in the heat of debate gently, with humor, brought each other back to a point of civility when things were getting out of hand. Mr. Speaker, I recall once we were debating the institution of a board of contractors so that the Government would not appoint all the contractors. The board will end up doing it. One of the oldest gentlemen in the House stood up and said, ``Now, Billy, you know you can't take politics out of politics any more than you can take kissing out of loving.'' And I said, I know you cannot take politics out of politics, and I certainly would not want to take kissing out of loving. We just are trying to take a little kissing out of politics. The humor of that moment of course made a point, but it also kept what otherwise was sometimes heated debate in line, and it is a useful tool. But I think the most important tool of all the tools that are available to us is a recognition that you came here the same way I did. I ought to respect you, and I ought to respect your ideas because you speak with not your own voice.…”