Political Quotes

“Thank you, Congressman Tonko, for yielding. I know how close you were to Louise and how much she loved you and you loved her. I offer my condolences not only to Louise's family, but also to Paul and to the entire Chamber, and to me, because I loved Louise, also. You hear people using the word ``love'' here. It was very genuine. When I arrived in January of 2007, I saw the fire in Louise and I saw the honey in Louise. She was a mixture of both. That is what made her so absolutely delightful. I saw her as the new chairman of the Rules Committee take on our friends across the aisle about so many issues here, and she had that fire in her. But then I saw her with the honey and the sweetness, and that is why people use the word ``love'' when they talk about Louise. So I want to tell just a very short story about my first real close encounter with Louise Slaughter. I had a dear friend in New Hampshire who very much admired Louise and wanted to meet her. I said: She is busy. She has just taken over this new position. And I am new, but okay, I will ask her. So we were walking there, and I called Louise over, and I said: Louise, I would like to introduce you to somebody who just has always admired you. Louise said: Honey, have her come into my office. So we did. And Louise sat down on the couch like she didn't have a thing to do that day except to entertain us with tea and small talk and just her warmth and her vibrancy. My friend never forgot that. I never forgot that either.…”