Political Quotes

“When I came to Congress I had seen that the country was in trouble and having been a history student and having loved history, I knew no republic lasts forever. I knew we were about to the extent of the length of time that republics come and go. I didn't expect to be here 18 years, but I had hoped that when I left I could feel we had perpetuated that liberty for at least another generation, hopefully, much more. As I sat here listening to the gracious comments, I was taken right back to Ben Franklin's speech in the Constitutional Convention in 1787 after they couldn't agree on much but his words: ``I have lived, sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire could rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that `except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.' '' It just seems to me that we have much less concern or desire overall for having the Lord help build the House. I know historically what that means. I have been deeply encouraged on seeing the people that have come in since I did, and especially in recent years, and I am taking great heart from the fact that we have got some fighters that have come in. If I have helped inspire some, as they said, that is something I can take with me, but I will continue to follow what goes on here and help in any way I can.…”