Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. Madam Speaker, the Nation had a chance tonight to hear about the affection and regard that we held for a very important member of the Ways and Means family, John Lewis. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Kelly for yielding me the time. He did urge at a moment last week: I hope that we will be able to do a bipartisan tribute to John. I said we planned one, and we want to make sure both sides are involved. I just want to close on this note, as we travel to Atlanta tomorrow to say good-bye to John. At a Committee on Ways and Means Democratic retreat in New York about 2 years ago, with a very distinguished alumnus of the Democratic Party as well, Charlie Rangel came over to the dinner. John, myself, and former Chairman Rangel, we were sitting and just talking at the end of the night. After the conversation, when John got up and left, Charlie Rangel said to me: You know, Rich, there were many of us who did the right thing along the way. Many of us participated fully in the civil rights movement. But John Lewis would have died for the cause. Pretty remarkable: John Lewis would have died for the cause. Tonight, Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Members of the House, both political parties, and the Ways and Means family for a nice tribute to our friend, John Lewis.”