Marty Walsh: “Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to bring before the full House today H.R. 2684, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and…”

“Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to bring before the full House today H.R. 2684, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. However, the circumstance of the death of the Honorable Robert Mollohan made doing so impossible, and I wanted to begin today by expressing my deepest sympathy to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), my friend and colleague, and his family on the death of his father. As my colleagues all know, the senior Mr. Mollohan served so ably in representing West Virginia in this House for 18 years, for the 2 terms during the early 1950s and then for 7 consecutive terms from 1969 to 1983. I hope and trust that the recess period has offered a time for reflection and healing for my good friend and his family. I would also like to offer my sincere recognition and thanks to the staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work and assistance.”