Haley Stevens: “I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Slotkin, for organizing this tribute session to our friend and former colleague…”

“I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Slotkin, for organizing this tribute session to our friend and former colleague, Paul Mitchell. It is very symbolic of what it is like to be a member of the Michigan delegation. There are 14 of us--7 Democrats, 7 Republicans-- representing a State of just a little over 10 million people. And yet, we come together time and time again to champion matters and issues for our State, whether it is the Great Lakes or veterans' issues or our automotive industry. Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing here today. We are standing up for our friend who is in a fight--a fight against cancer. And we are doing it on the floor of the House of Representatives, for this man loves the floor of the House of Representatives. So there is no place more symbolic than this to tell Paul, ``You have got this.'' Sherry, you have got this. And to your kids, who I know you love dearly, we are standing by you every step of the way. {time} 1800 Paul was certainly a champion not only for the legislative process and the business of doing government right by people, but he was a champion for Michigan. And if you hear his words, if he has talked about his experience, his recent diagnosis, you hear Paul saying: This was a gift from God. This was a gift from God. Even when it got scary, because he is getting a little bit more of life.…”