Haley Stevens: “I am saddened to come to the Chamber for this occasion to recognize and comment upon the retirement of Jim English from…”

“I am saddened to come to the Chamber for this occasion to recognize and comment upon the retirement of Jim English from the staff of our Appropriations Committee. I say to Jim, very frankly, all of the members of our staff, minority, majority, Members and staff, extend to him our heartfelt congratulations and thanks for all he has done and our desire that he and his wife Phyllis and their daughters and grandchildren will have a grand time. I can't fathom a young man such as that deciding to retire, but I hope there are some fishing holes along the line that he will explore, and other activities to do. My first father-in-law told me that English is the only language in which 'retire' means other than go to bed. I hope it is a misuse of the term 'retire' in terms of referring to Jim English because he has much yet to contribute to our country and to his family.”