On the recordJanuary 13, 2016
Having been the location for the State of the Union Address last night, we agree that we care deeply about this country, but there were some things that were said here from this lectern right here, where national and international leaders speak when they are invited to speak here in the House, that I felt needed some deliberation. It is noteworthy. My late mother, English teacher that she was--if I had given this speech, the first thing she would have harassed me about was that you start the first five paragraphs--and this is the content: I have come, I know, I also, I hope, I will keep, I don't, I want, I want. My mother would have made big red circles around there and said: Eliminate the first person. It tells people that you care more about yourself. Get rid of that. Quit having so much first person. Of course, she would have done the same thing toward the end of the speech when we have: I hold, I know, I intend, I can't, I am asking, I see, I will be, I can, I travel, I see, I see, I know, I see, I see, I see, I see, I see, I see, I know, I believe, I stand. No doubt my late mother would have taken a red pen and said: Son, if you want to give a great speech, quit talking about the first person ``I'' all the time. You have got to eliminate it if you want to give a great speech. So, Mr.…
