I don't need to introduce this gentleman. You all know him. But I do want to say that he does exemplify what Ray LaHood has said about bipartisanship and drinking the waters of central Illinois. The bipartisan spirit in which Bob Michel is…

Thank you, Bev. Thank you for your report, your tireless efforts on behalf of the organization, not just the dinner committee but also on the board and being an active participant in so many of our programs. Well, all of the programs we've…

Thank you very much, Senator Pressler. We look forward to participating in the panel and the Archives event this evening, too. The events you mentioned are good examples of how our association identifies current issues and plays a role in…

Thank you. Thank you, Steny, for your presence and for your serious and important message. We appreciate it very much. So, folks, not all of our programs focus exclusively on former Members. We have a number of projects that benefit from…

Thank you, Larry, for your leadership and your active involvement in this new and very great program.

Dennis has demonstrated his commitment to the programs of the Association of Former Members; also, his appreciation to our international parliamentarians who joined with us in partnership on so many wonderful programs. I do hope, Dennis…

Thank you, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, for accepting the award, but also for your very inspiring words. And that is true; that is what we are all about. Thank you. You know, I'm not in the habit of giving plaques, but I do have…

Mr. Kolbe, if I may read it. It is very small print. The plaque is inscribed as follows: The 2012 Distinguished Service Award is presented by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress to Congresswoman Gabrielle ``Gabby'' Giffords…

We appreciate Ken's report and his leadership in helping our wounded warriors. We are so honored that we can play a small role in the rehabilitation of these amazing young men and women. Now it is my distinct honor, truly an honor and a…

Thank you, Matt, for your leadership in this program and the report that you have given, the great work. Again, I also give a tip of the hat and congratulations to Jack Buechner, working in partnership with you. As you may recall from our…

Fellow association members, I'm very pleased again to welcome you to our 42nd annual meeting. And I'd like to tell you something about the association. It is bipartisan, as you know. It was chartered by Congress in 1983. The purpose of the…

Thank you. Thank you, Barbara. It's always a very distinct privilege to be back in this revered Chamber, and we appreciate the opportunity today to have the 42nd annual report of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress…

I was going to mention that we are so very proud of a guy who is our role model, not only while he was in Congress as the minority leader, but since then he has come to every one of our meetings. He's been very actively involved, and I…

Thank you, Bob. We appreciate your efforts, Bob, on behalf of this important undertaking as we expand it and hope it will make a difference beyond our association. A great example of how powerful and productive bipartisanship can be is our…

The Chair again wishes to thank the former Members of the House for their presence here today. Before terminating, the Chair would like to invite those former Members whose names were not recorded as being present to give their names to…

Thank you, Mr. Slattery. Now the Chair has the distinct privilege of recognizing the very important and distinguished minority leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

The Chair thanks the gentleman from Idaho. The President continues to have control of the time.

The Chair thanks the gentleman from New York. At this time it is a great honor to recognize the distinguished Speaker of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

The Chair announces that 23 former Members of Congress have responded to their names. The Chair now recognizes the President of the Association.

It is now my pleasure and my honor to recognize the President of the Association of Former Members of Congress, the Hon. Dennis Hertel.

My message is to give you a little synopsis of the Congressional Study Groups for which the former Members are so noted. The association is pleased to oversee and to administer the Congressional Study Groups on Germany, Turkey and Japan…

our thoughts, our hearts, and our prayers go out to the victims and the families of those five people who were senselessly gunned down last night and today in Montgomery County, Maryland. The tales of these tragic shootings are still…

I rise in favor of H. Res. 538 honoring Johnny Unitas and extending condolences to his family on his passing. I thank my Maryland colleague and friend Congressman Ehrlich for introducing this legislation. Johnny Unitas set 22 NFL records…

as the lead sponsor of this bill, H.R. 1784, the Women's Health Office Act of 2002, I must say I am delighted to be here today. I am here today with this bill with great thanks to the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr…

Thomas Morris' memories will live on through his wife of 11 years, Mary, their son, Thomas, their stepchildren, Tara Underwood, Akai Snorten, their grandchildren, Thomas's two sisters, Yvonne Hankerson and Sheila Howard. Joseph Curseen's…