Bill Archer: “Thank you very much. I see that one of the great benefits of being a former Member of Congress is that we are no longer…”

“Thank you very much. I see that one of the great benefits of being a former Member of Congress is that we are no longer limited by the 5-minute rule. All of us who have been Members of Congress and those who sit today as Members of Congress receive honors. I think without exception every Member of Congress has received honors from outside organizations and associations and groups, but I must tell you that to receive an honor from your peers transcends all of those other honors. Those who have served with you, those who know you best, who have been kind enough to select you for this award is truly a highlight. In preparation for this event, I reflected back on so many of the moments during my service here in this House. And, yes, in many ways there are things that you are glad to be away from, the bells, the late-night sessions, the interruptions in your personally scheduled life, the ability to be home every night and to have dinner with your wife and to control your schedule. Those are great benefits to being away from the Congress, but there are also great losses, and the ability to know that, as you participate in the work of this Congress, you are affecting the lives of 280 million plus Americans and beyond that the people of the entire world. And I must say that I could not have found a more fulfilling role for my life than to be a part of this body.”