Jodey Arrington: “What a joy and a pleasure and an honor to serve under the ranking member's leadership in the 115th Congress, my first…”

“What a joy and a pleasure and an honor to serve under the ranking member's leadership in the 115th Congress, my first term. I thank him for letting me lead the subcommittee and initiate the legislation that will have an impact--I believe a tremendous impact--on the lives of folks like my friend Bill, so I thank him. Madam Speaker, I enjoyed working with Chairman Takano, and I congratulate him on his chairmanship. I thank him for being a great colleague and for being a friend to the veterans, most importantly. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Levin for being such a gracious gentleman and statesman, to come up to me on the floor of the House and tell me he was going to pick up this ball and he was going to run it all the way down the field and into the end zone so that we can score points, not politically for Democrats or Republicans, but for the American people who expect that we take care of our veterans and, most of all, for our military men and women who are transitioning and have unique challenges in that regard, as Bill had. It meant so much to me. If I don't say anything else here, I want to say thank you. I say that on behalf of Bill's family because I know it means a lot to them. He is worthy. Bill Mulder is worthy to be on this legislation. Don't ask me, ask his teammates, his fellow Navy SEALs. I mean, just look at him. He is Captain America. I am so jealous. I was always jealous. He was tough. He was strong. He was courageous.…”