On the recordDecember 17, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Weber for the opportunity to participate in this important discussion this evening. I can't think of a person who I have interacted with for the last 22 years that I have enjoyed any more than Dr. Burgess. Sitting in that general area back there, occasionally he would veer away from ``The Texas Row'' and interact with the Okies, where we analyzed the leadership, analyzed the committees, and analyzed the work product. His insights were just as amazing as his personality. Let's be honest. If you have toiled through the Budget Committee, as Dr. Burgess did, as a good Member; if you worked diligently for decades almost on the Energy and Commerce Committee; and then had enough patience and grit and willpower to be a Rules Committee member for a number of years and chairman of the Rules Committee, that says something about your commitment to this body, this country, this Constitution, and, yes, Doc--I will admit it as an Okie--your commitment to the Republic of Texas.





