Joe Barton: “The fact that we're honoring this fine gentleman today does not mean that he can rest on his laurels. I fully expect…”

“The fact that we're honoring this fine gentleman today does not mean that he can rest on his laurels. I fully expect within the month to be totally engaged on opposite sides in the public health care debate as he tries to fulfill one of his lifetime obligations of moving some sort of a national health care bill. I believe in a more market-oriented, private sector approach. So, while part of me says I wish he would go ahead and retire, the better part of me says we want you here, Chairman Dingell. We want you engaged in the debate. We want you giving your ideas on what you think is right for the American people, just like you've been doing for the last 53-years-and-some-odd days, because on your best day you make this body and our country a better body and a better country, and even on your worst day, you improve the atmosphere and improve the prospects for a brighter future for our people of the United States of America. God bless you.”