Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlelady. Before commenting on my own retirement, I want to echo the gentlemen from Colorado and Maryland, Mr. Perlmutter and Mr. Hoyer, and their right-on-point remarks, Judy, about you and your service. We have sat together for the last 12 years on the Ed Committee working on education issues and children's issues. You've been such a great leader on the issue of homeless children and the importance of us doing right by them in the education arena even though they were homeless--and maybe all the more important that we do right by them. When we hear the terms ``statesman'' or ``public servant,'' you epitomize both. Judy, it has been a great privilege to work with you. As I think back to arriving 12 years ago, one, it is hard to believe it has been 12 years since first coming here. My decision about a year ago, January of this year, to step down was not an easy one, but it's one that I felt was the right decision for me. I've always been one who believed in 12-year term limits and thought I've got to live what I preach as a servant, as a public official, but maybe most importantly as a dad, that I needed to set a good example to my sons, Tom and TJ, that they saw me living up to my word and that my actions backed up my words. So while it wasn't an easy decision to decide to leave this great Chamber, I believe it was the right one.…”