Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Ray Baum. I thank the chairman for having this tonight because I think it is very, very important to honor his life. I was recently asked when I was back home what I liked best about being a Member of Congress. It is always one of those questions I think people think about, well, you are going to think about all the things you do down here. It is not really about being a Member of Congress down here. It is about the people you get to know, the people you get to know at home, and it is also about the people you get to know here. There are a lot of times that you don't always get to meet someone like Ray, somebody who has that great public service instilled in him. You meet these thousands of people, but you always had some people that stand out; and that is Ray. If I could, I would like to quote what the chairman said in his release when Ray passed: ``Ray dedicated his life to public service, first as an elected official and then as an adviser on Capitol Hill. Our committee, the people of Oregon, and our country are better off because of Ray's selfless service. Ray will be deeply missed, but he will not be forgotten. The Energy and Commerce Committee will strive to honor Ray's legacy of decency and kindness through our work, and, more importantly, by following the example Ray set through the graciousness and honor he showed every day.'' You heard Chairman Shimkus say the same thing.…”