Jake Ellzey: “First of all, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; my family--my beautiful wife, Shelby, my incredible daughter…”

“First of all, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; my family--my beautiful wife, Shelby, my incredible daughter, McCall; and my incredible son, Jack; my parents in Texas and California; and papa looking down on me from Heaven. I thank my family in the Sixth District of Texas. I will serve you with quiet professionalism. I would like to read for you Philippians 4:8-9. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable--if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy--dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. I believe America is exceptional. I love my country. It is an honor to serve. I would appreciate the prayers of all of those in here as I learn my job. Madam Speaker, I would like to leave you with a moment of silence for your colleague, our friend, and my predecessor, Ron Wright, and his family. ____________________”