Mark Gordon: “No, no. You know that's true. We all know that's true here. Let me first say, as I look around and see everyone, many of…”

“No, no. You know that's true. We all know that's true here. Let me first say, as I look around and see everyone, many of you I spent all of my 26 years with, and some a part of that. It's sort of a kaleidoscope of memories that just wash over you. I think almost every one of us sat down together somewhere on the floor and talked about business or what was going on at home. Fortunately, Jim Walsh and I are next-door neighbors in our offices. I'm glad to see my Tennesseans again. We don't get to see each other enough, but it's like we were just here and again like that conversation just continues. This is, I think, one more real benefit of the association, and I'm glad to have a chance to join that. Pete, many thanks to you for assembling the really excellent staff that you have. They have just a little bitty office, but they really churn out lots and lots of good work. A part of that good work is the Congressional Study Groups. We have Congressional Study Groups on Germany, Japan, Turkey, and Europe, the flagship international programs of the Former Members of Congress. The study groups are independent, bipartisan legislative exchanges for current Members of Congress and their senior staff and serve as educational forums and invaluable tools for international dialogue with the goal of creating better understanding and cooperation between the United States and its most important strategic and economic allies.…”