Political Quotes

“First of all, I thank the manager and the sponsor of this legislation for their kind courtesies. Mr. Speaker, it is never too late to say ``thank you,'' and I wanted to just not forget to thank Chairman Engel for the years of commitment to these issues and to his service on the Foreign Affairs and the Energy and Commerce Committees. I know this list of legislative initiatives has had the impact of our manager, the distinguished gentleman from New York, and certainly all of the friends and the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. But I think it is appropriate, having known Mr. Engel for a very long time, that he is a true believer in democracy, he is a believer in the international responsibilities of the United States, and he is also one who recognizes transition of government in the right way. He is transitioning, and he is doing it with dignity and respect. Mr. Speaker, I want to express to him my deepest respect for his service to not only the United States Congress and his family's sacrifice, but to the United States of America. We thank him for that service. It is my desire to have that in the Record at this time. I thank him on behalf of this Nation.”