Nick Rahall: “Indeed, Bruce Vento was a dear colleague to me, as well. Having served with him, as well as the gentleman from Michigan…”

“Indeed, Bruce Vento was a dear colleague to me, as well. Having served with him, as well as the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), side by side, first on the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, and now on the Committee on Resources for my 24 years in this body, to say that Bruce Vento knew what was in every piece of legislation that came before our committee is not an understatement. As I said, having sat next to him, I could see him and would marvel at the way he would read every piece of bill upon which he were asked to vote, with that red highlight pen underlining the pertinent pieces of every piece of legislation that came before our committee. Truly, he was a knowledgeable Member of this body. He was dedicated to our environment. He came with me to my district in southern West Virginia, rode on our whitewater rivers, and came back and helped me craft legislation to preserve those rivers for generations to come. Bruce was in my class. We came to this body in 1977. Throughout our years together, he was a man who truly lived the words 'public servant' to their fullest. To his wife, to his family, to his friends back in Minnesota who he so ably served, I do say, we shall all miss him. Bruce Vento was a dear friend to all of us.”