William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “I, too, want to rise and express my respect and gratitude for a number of the senior members of this committee who will…”

“I, too, want to rise and express my respect and gratitude for a number of the senior members of this committee who will not be with us in the next Congress: the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), my colleague from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), and my friend from Arkansas, Dr. Snyder. Each of them have made innumerable contributions not only to the committee but to national security. Mr. Speaker, I think it is absolutely appropriate to name a defense authorization bill after our chairman, Mr. Skelton, who, over the totality of his career, has made innumerable contributions not only to this body and to the committee, but to the national security of the country. I think it is unfortunate that this particular bill has followed the tortured process it has in getting here. In some ways, it's unworthy of the contributions that the gentleman from Missouri has made over the course of his career. I think it is going to be very important for us moving forward to try to, just as we return the House to a more regular order where Members can make contributions, that the whole process of a defense authorization bill can return to a more regular order.”