John Spratt: “this is the last budget resolution that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kasich) will bring to the House floor after many…”

“this is the last budget resolution that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kasich) will bring to the House floor after many years. As he leaves the House, he leaves a large void. I came here with him in 1983. I can speak from personal experience because I served on the same committee with him from the day we first arrived here. As a matter of fact, the reason I am on the Committee on Armed Services is that, when the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kasich) did not get on it, he went to Bob Michael, raised hell, they went to Tip O'Neill, and Tip and Bob Michael agreed to enlarge the committee by two people. I got one seat. The gentleman from Ohio got the other. I have enjoyed his company. I have enjoyed his friendship. I have admired his commitment to public service, his energy, his effervescence, that infectious boyish smile that, after all these years, has not gone away. In fact, with the addition of twins, it has really blossomed back again. We are going to miss him on the floor, in the gym, committee room, and everywhere. I can say this genuinely, no one that I know of in the 18 years I have been here brought more fervor to the support of an issue and yet less spite than the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kasich). No one in my recollection has been better in the well of the House, somebody one always wanted to have on one's side, better on his feet particularly extemporaneously than the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kasich).”