Lee Metcalf: “it is with deep sadness and sorrow that I rise today to note the death last week of former Congressman Joel Pritchard, a…”

“it is with deep sadness and sorrow that I rise today to note the death last week of former Congressman Joel Pritchard, a man deeply respected and admired and liked by everyone. Joel was a rare politician who worked across partisan lines to solve problems. He exemplified the qualities that make our system work in his 40 years in the political system, from 1956 until 1996. Joel went on to serve 12 years in Congress. I was still in the State Senate when he was our Lieutenant Governor. An affable, unassuming politician, Joel will be remembered as a man of his word. He believed strongly in term limits, as I do, and kept his word to leave Congress after 12 years, even when friends and colleagues urged him otherwise. Joel believed you do not have to give up your principles to work with people and to be pleasant. He said, "I have always been able to get along with people, people I disagreed with, to help find a way out of an impasse." I considered Joel both a friend and respected colleague. He will be deeply missed, not only in Washington State, but also here in Washington, DC. Today I would like to pay respect to Joel Pritchard and to send from the House of Representatives our sympathy to his family. Joel, you will most certainly be missed. I hope that we in Congress can continue to work across partisan lines that you so aptly personified in your exceptional career.”