Chris Smith: “I thank my friend for his very powerful testimonial to our late colleague. Mr. Speaker, for Bob's surviving wife, Fran…”

“I thank my friend for his very powerful testimonial to our late colleague. Mr. Speaker, for Bob's surviving wife, Fran and their three daughters, Kelly, Sara, and Abigail, his mother, June; and sister, Judy; and the rest of the family, this is a tragic season of excruciating loss and bereavement. While Bob Franks was a politician's politician in the best sense of that concept, he was husband, father, son, and brother first. Nothing compared to his love for and devotion to his family. For everyone who has ever had the privilege of knowing him and calling him 'friend,' Bob epitomized noble public service. He was honest, hardworking, extraordinarily effective, and absolutely determined to make a positive difference for his constituents, the State, and the Nation. An indomitable optimist, Bob was ever gracious and stubbornly kind to all, even with those with whom he disagreed. He treated all with respect, civility, and empathy.”