Steven Gunderson: “I want to thank our friend and colleague from Illinois, like everyone else has, for doing this, because I think it is…”

“I want to thank our friend and colleague from Illinois, like everyone else has, for doing this, because I think it is only appropriate that we take time to remember someone who was such a valuable part, both of this institution, of service to this country in many different facets, and to us personally. I had the privilege of working with Ed Madigan on the House Committee on Agriculture for much of the past 12 years, until he went down to the Department. Ed and I had this affection for each other. We called each other Mr. Leader. He had reason to be called leader, and I think he did it for me just out of friendship and in response. But, of course, he then became our leader. He became our leader on the House Committee on Agriculture, and, as others have said, astutely, in different times, managed the farm bill. I think many people remember him as well with his leadership on the Subcommittee of Health over in Energy and Commerce. I told the press when he became Secretary of Agriculture that Ed Madigan was the best agricultural strategist I have every known, and I suspect he will continue to be that for some time.”