Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman. I want to make note of the fact that Mel's wife, Eulada, is in the gallery tonight. On behalf of my wife, Lisa, and myself, we have considered the Watts good friends, colleagues, shared many experiences together, and we are going to miss them both a great deal, although we take some solace in the thought that they are not going too far and that we will have chances to be together as Mel assumes this new role. {time} 1845 Mr. Speaker, Mel Watt is a legislator's legislator. We sometimes say that about colleagues. If there is any doubt about that, it would have been dispelled by what we just heard in the committee room this afternoon as colleague after colleague from the Judiciary and Financial Services Committees, from both sides of the aisle, paid tribute to this fine friend and colleague. There were many stories of collaboration, of disputes and fights that were nonetheless civil and respectful, of mentorship of younger Members. There is just no question that Mel has made his imprint on this institution. As a man of great intelligence and expertise, he is admirably qualified for the job he is about to assume, but also a mainstay of legislative work in the committees that he served on during his entire time here, Financial Services and Judiciary. We are going to miss him. I probably speak for others in the delegation; but, actually, I will just speak for myself.…”