Alan B. Mollohan: “Before I begin, Mr. Chairman, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Speaker and to both the majority and…”

“Before I begin, Mr. Chairman, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Speaker and to both the majority and minority leadership for their consideration of my personal circumstances regarding the passing of my father immediately preceding the August recess. It was a courtesy which I and my family certainly appreciated. Dad was honored to serve his constituency in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it is gestures like this that explain why he was so honored and why I too am honored to serve in this body. I would also like to extend thanks to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) for his comments today, which were certainly appreciated, and for his graciously supporting my request to postpone consideration of this bill. Mr. Chairman, this is the first year for both the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and myself in our respective roles as chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies bill, and I have been impressed by the chairman's capability and by the cooperation which he and his very able staff have extended to the minority. I am pleased to have been a part of that process, even as I remain concerned, Mr. Chairman, about the result that we have achieved to this point. The bill before us has enough serious shortcomings that it is now under a veto threat from the President.”