Steny Hoyer: “I asked my dear, dear friend of a long time, Speaker Michel, glad to have you here. You former Members, I want you to…”

“I asked my dear, dear friend of a long time, Speaker Michel, glad to have you here. You former Members, I want you to know that at one point in time I went up to Ray LaHood in 1995. I would particularly like my Republican friends to hear this. I went up to Ray LaHood, who was presiding in 1995. I went up to him and I said, look, we have got 197 Democrats, and if you could just get 20 Republicans, we will elect Bob Michel speaker. But LaHood could not deliver, Bob. I do not know what happened. But I always like the opportunity to come and visit with those of you who have served so well in this Congress and provided for us such an outstanding institution in which to serve. It is a little more acrimonious than when most of you served here. Perhaps that will, at some point in time, get better. But in any event, on behalf of all of us who still serve here and who have benefited by what you have done through the years, thank you very much. And I hope that you have had a great visit back. We see you often. I see Bob on a very regular basis, but I hope that all of you are doing well. Thank you for your assistance through the years. Thank you very much. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Thank you, Mr. President. The Chair again wishes to thank the former Members of Congress for their presence here today. And for those of you who have not had an opportunity to record your presence with the Clerk, I would invite you to do so at this time. Good luck to all of you.…”