Louie Gohmert: “Thank you, Mr. Woodall. I know it's time to honor Jay Pierson, but it's really a sad time for me. Over my 8 years, I…”

“Thank you, Mr. Woodall. I know it's time to honor Jay Pierson, but it's really a sad time for me. Over my 8 years, I don't know of anybody I've spent more time with all these evenings on the floor. Of course, for the last 2 years, we were going until midnight most nights and I was usually here with Jay Pierson. I know Jay was not a Boy Scout, but as someone who is an Eagle Scout, I know that we're taught that the ultimate in life is to be trustworthy. I don't know of anybody on Capitol Hill that is more trustworthy than Jay Pierson, loyal and yet courteous and kind. Jay Pierson has been a true friend. And to have somebody who knows what goes on, knows the rules, we can disagree about the rules, but I can come to him and know I have the institutional memory right there with me. That has been such a huge help, just knowing when I did need information, I could call Jay and I would have whatever I needed. So, Jay, I know that you're going to be better off without us, but we're certainly not going to be better off without Jay Pierson. I also know that nobody serves in Congress without loved ones missing and suffering because of an absence of time with them. So we know it's kind of like when I was in the military: my wife knew well that it's not just one person who serves. So as Jay Pierson served all these years in Congress, there's no question his wife served as well.…”