Political Quotes

“I want to thank my dear friend from New York for his kindness, his fine words, and for his great patience. He is my dear friend. Mr. Speaker, I have the remarks of many of our other colleagues which will be inserted into the Record paying tribute to our great friend, Ron Gettelfinger. I simply want to observe two things: first, we are saying good-bye tonight to a giant, a patriot, a wonderful human being, a man who cared about his fellow Americans and who spent his lifetime making it the best he could for his fellow Americans, especially members of the trade union movement. He was never afraid to give leadership to causes that were important, and he never was afraid to speak the truth, including to work with me and with the companies to address problems that those companies had here in Washington, and he was never afraid to tell the truth, even to his own members when that was necessary to be done. I am pleased to report that in his leaving of office, he leaves behind him a great and respected trade union movement, and a wonderful union in the UAW. And I am pleased to report to my colleagues that his successor, the new president, Bob King, will serve with great distinction and as a worthy successor in all aspects of this very important leadership responsibility. I congratulate him and wish him well.”