Political Quotes

“Kathy, members of the Fitzpatrick family, and Members on both sides of the aisle from Pennsylvania who have lost a dear colleague with whom they served; he served with honor. He served with civility. He served as an example. Madam Speaker, at a time when rank partisanship has become sadly pervasive in Washington, Mike Fitzpatrick shone a bright light of consensus building, civility, and respect. He was an example that all of us could follow. I was sad to learn of his passing. My thoughts, of course--and I know I speak for all of us, not in a partisan sense, not in a Democratic or Republican sense, but in a human sense--are with his wife, Kathleen, their six children, and his entire family which includes our colleague, of course, Brian, his brother who succeeded him representing Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District. Madam Speaker, it speaks volumes that Mike had so many friends here on this side of the aisle in addition to his own side. The words that the Republican leader spoke could be spoken by all of us. That is because he looked past party labels and saw in all of us fellow Americans, drawn to service like he was, eager to do right by our constituents, as he was. Our colleague from Washington State, Mr. Denny Heck, shared a story about a bill he and Mike were working on together in 2013 when Republicans were in the majority. Mike was the lead sponsor. His party was in charge.…”