Charles Rangel: “Well, I thank you for this opportunity. It's always difficult when Members' political careers are interrupted. We're…”

“Well, I thank you for this opportunity. It's always difficult when Members' political careers are interrupted. We're going to miss Betty Sutton on our side, and of course we're going to miss Mr. Kucinich for all the great work he's done. I remember, Congressman LaTourette, when your former Member, Lou Stokes, was on the floor and he demonstrated his friendship in a way that certainly most Members on both sides will never forget. And Mr. Austria is leaving. One of the main reasons why I did come to the floor is because of Jean Schmidt. When I first heard that she was defeated, they told me that her opponent had said that I endorsed her and that's the reason she lost the race. So I wanted to make it abundantly clear that while I did not endorse her politically, I certainly would have said what a nice lady she has been in being kind and gentle and Republican at the same time, and I thought that was quite an achievement. Ms. Schmidt has managed to disagree with so many of the differences we have in policy; and yet the first thing that you would ever see on her face is a smile, asking you how you are feeling and having a genuine concern about that. I personally will miss you and miss the greetings that we had for each other and sharing each other's family experiences.…”