Paul Tonko: “Thank you to the gentlewoman from California for yielding. It is an honor this evening to join in the tribute to two…”

“Thank you to the gentlewoman from California for yielding. It is an honor this evening to join in the tribute to two very strong individuals who have represented their districts so very well, Representative Waxman and Representative Miller. One of the benefits and one of the opportunities that comes the way of Members of this House is to stand alongside men and women of greatness who lead not only their home district and State, but the Nation--and the world, for that matter. This evening, we recognize the contributions of Henry Waxman and George Miller. When I first arrived in the House some three terms ago, my first assignment was on the Education and Labor Committee. I thank you, Representative Miller for being an outstanding chair who enabled me to join in your sound efforts in providing for the empowerment of children, the strengthening of workers, stamping out gender discrimination, and all sorts of work that addressed not only issues of your home State of California and my district in New York, but the entire Nation--and the world, for that matter. It has been an empowering statement. To Henry Waxman, the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee when I joined earlier in this third term, it was an honor to join with you, Henry, and to recognize the great work that you have done on climate change and energy issues, certainly on public health, from the warnings of tobacco to affordable prescription drugs and to move forward with the Affordable Care Act.…”