Steny Hoyer: “I want to congratulate her and thank her for the extraordinary job that she has done over the last 18 months on this…”

“I want to congratulate her and thank her for the extraordinary job that she has done over the last 18 months on this particular issue. She has been tireless in her efforts to promote the assurance that every American not only has the right to vote but that every American will have their vote counted correctly. I also want to mention two of my very good friends and colleagues on the floor, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), two members from Florida who firsthand experienced and their constituents experienced the difficulties of voting in November of 2000. I also want to recognize the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), our chairman, who has done such an outstanding job getting us to this point. Without his measured and effective leadership, we would not be where we are. I want to go back to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) because as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and vice chair of the Democratic Caucus Special Committee on Election Reform she has tirelessly advocated that the 107th Congress keep its eye on the prize and pass meaningful, comprehensive election reform. Mr. Speaker, in only 42 days this Nation will hold its first Federal election since November 2000.”