Sean Patrick Maloney: “I am here to honor my friend, Chairman John Porter, who is retiring at the end of this session of Congress. Mr. Porter…”

“I am here to honor my friend, Chairman John Porter, who is retiring at the end of this session of Congress. Mr. Porter has been a good friend, he has been a terrific legislative partner, and he has been a superior legislator. I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Porter on such a wide variety of issues--women's rights, health care, human rights, family planning, the environment, and many, many more. He has always been a tremendous advocate for bipartisan cooperation. Over the years, we have often worked together to forge commonsense solutions to important issues facing our Nation. And I know that there are many Members of Congress who would join me in this sentiment. I believe that alone is an outstanding tribute to any Member of this House. In the case of Congressman Porter, it is an exceptionally fitting tribute. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Porter on international family planning issues. We stood together in opposition to any anti-democratic gag rules, which interfere with the availability of family planning around the world. On this issue, as with so many others, Congressman John Porter has touched so many lives, it is hard to measure the full impact of his efforts.”