On the recordDecember 8, 2010
By way of close, let me say that the legislation before us is important and reflects what has been a pattern of bipartisan work between the ranking member and myself as I have chaired the Social Security Subcommittee. I have enjoyed working with Sam Johnson. It is a pretty thrilling thing for a kid from North Dakota to get to work with an American hero, and I have appreciated his conscientious service as ranking member of the Social Security Subcommittee. I also, to colleagues, have deeply appreciated the opportunity to chair the committee. I received a Social Security check in my own life when my dad died as I was a teenager. To have the opportunity to chair the subcommittee, protecting the United States' most important domestic program, Social Security, was a deep honor and a responsibility that I'll always treasure, having had that chance. I want to thank the staff members who helped throughout, keeping this subcommittee superbly supported with the important policy work before it.
