John Boehner

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform you that I will resign as Speaker of the House effective upon the election of my successor. I will also resign as Representative from Ohio's Eighth District at the end of this month. I leave with no regrets, no burdens. If anything, I leave the way I started--just a regular guy, humbled by the chance to do a big job. That is what I am most proud of. I am still just me, the same guy who came here 25 years ago as a small-business man and spent all these 25 years trying to just be me. Now, sometimes my staff thought I was too much like me, but it really is the thing I am most proud of. I am the same regular guy who came here to try to do a good job for my district and my country. Before I go, I want to express what an honor it has been to serve with all of you. The people's House is, in my view, the great embodiment of the American Dream. Everybody here comes from somewhere, and everybody here is on some mission. I come from a part of the world where we are used to working. As far back as I can remember, I was working. My staff was asking me the other day: Well, you know, on November 1st, you're not going to have a job. When was the last time you didn't have a job? I thought about it and thought about it and thought about it. I thought, well, I had to be 8 or 9 years old because I was throwing newspapers back then and working in my dad's bar. As a matter of fact, I used to work from 5 a.m. on Saturday morning until 2 p.m. for $2. Not $2 an hour. $2. I never thought about growing up as the easy way or the hard way. It was just the Cincinnati way. Our city takes its name from the great Roman general Cincinnatus, a farmer who answered the call of his nation to lead and then surrendered his power to go back to his plow. For me, it wasn't a farm. It was a small business. And it wasn't so much a calling as it was a mission--a mission to strive for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable Federal Government here in Washington. How did we do? Here are some facts. For the first time in nearly 20 years, we have made some real entitlement reforms, saving trillions of dollars over the long term. We have protected 99 percent of the American people from an increase in their taxes. We are on track to save taxpayers $2.1 trillion over the next 10 years, the most significant spending reductions in modern times. We have banned earmarks altogether. Sorry. We have protected this institution. We have made it more open to the people. Every day in this capital city there are hundreds of kids from the toughest neighborhoods who are finally getting a chance at a decent education. I am proud of these things, but the mission is not complete. And the truth is it may never be. One thing I came to realize over the years that I have been here is that this battle over the size and scope and cost of our government in Washington has been going on for more than 200 years, and the forces of the status quo go to an awful lot of trouble to prevent change from happening. Real change takes time. Yes, freedom makes all things possible, but patience is what makes all things real. So believe in the long, slow struggle. Believe in this country's ability to meet her challenges and to lead the world. And, remember, you can't do a big job alone, especially this one. So I am grateful to my family, Deb and my two girls. My two girls were 3 and 1 when I first ran for office. Now they are a lot older. So they have been through a lot. You all know what your families go through. It is one thing for us to take the bricks and the boards and everything that gets thrown at us, but it is another thing for our families. Their skin isn't as thick as ours. I am also grateful to all of my colleagues: my fellow leaders, Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Scalise, Ms. McMorris Rodgers; and many on my side of the aisle, our committee chairs, people I have worked with for a long time. But I am just as grateful to Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Clyburn, and Mr. Becerra and others for all of the work that we have done together. Over these last 5 years, we have done an awful lot of work together. There was probably more work done across the aisle over the last 5 years than in the 25 years that I have served in this institution. Now, as much as I enjoy working with all of you, some of you still could learn to dress better. You know who you are. I saw one of the culprits, one of the usual suspects who shows up here once in a while without a tie. This morning he didn't look dressed very well, but he did have a tie on. I am grateful to the people who work in this institution every day, whether it is the Reading Clerks or--you know, there are a lot of people, thousands of people, who allow us to do our jobs and to help make this institution what it is. Whether it is the people you see here today or the people in the CAO's office or the Capitol Police or legislative counsel, there really are thousands of people who really do allow us to do our job. I am grateful to my staff. Now, you all know I am a big believer in staff. None of us can be what we are without a good staff, and I certainly would never have gotten to this job without having built a great team. So I really am grateful to my staff. As they like to say to each other, once you are part of Boehnerland, you are always a part of Boehnerland, and that certainly goes for me as well. I am especially grateful to all my constituents and the volunteers over the years. That includes a student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1990, who was putting up campaign signs for me. His name was Paul Ryan. I don't think he could pronounce my name back in 1990 when he was putting up yard signs for me. But, as Cincinnatus understood, there is a difference between being asked to do something and being called to do something. Paul is being called. I know he will serve with grace and with energy, and I want to wish him and his family all the best. My colleagues, I have described my life as a chase for the American Dream. That chase began at the bottom of the hill, just off the main drag in Reading, Ohio, right outside of Cincinnati. At the top of the hill was a small house with a big family, a shining city in its own right. The hill had twists. The hill had turns, and even a few tears. Nothing wrong with that. But let me tell you, it was just perfect. Never forget, we are the luckiest people on the Earth. In America, you can do anything that you are willing to work for, willing to work hard at, and anything can happen if you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices in life. If you falter--and you will--you can just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go do it again, because hope always springs eternal. And if you just do the right things for the right reasons, good things will happen. And this, too, can really happen to you. God bless you, and God bless our great country.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Chairman, let me thank my colleague for yielding, and thank all my colleagues who are supporting this legislation today. Many of us remember the story of ``The Little Engine That Could.'' What happened was that the train full of toys wanted to get over the mountain to get to the kids on the other side. The big engine said: No, I cannot. The rusty old engine said: No, I cannot. But the little engine says: I'm not very big, but I think I can. I think I can. Well, from the beginning, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program has been the little engine that could. We started this back in 2003 with the help of D.C.'s Mayor at the time, Anthony Williams, and D.C. councilman Kevin Chavous. For years the government was promising the Moon to D.C. families and spending the Moon, essentially, but nothing changed. So we said: If we are going to support public schools and charter schools, let's also give low-income families the chance to apply for scholarships to attend the school of their choice. Let's give them that power. Because if you have got the resources, you already have school choice. You can send your kids to whatever school you want to send them to. You can move from the neighborhood you are in to where they have got a better school. But if you are poor and you are stuck in a bad neighborhood and your child doesn't have that chance or, frankly, any chance, they are just dead in the water. Well, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program has been that little lifeline that could. All told, 6,100 students have escaped underperforming schools. In that time, the program has received some 16,000 applications. Last spring 90 percent of 12th graders using the Opportunity scholarships graduated and 88 percent enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college. Of the 1,400 students in the program this year, 87.4 percent would have been in a school that the government has identified as in need of improvement. These are the kind of results parents dream of for their kids. And while it is my name on the bill, the best champions of this program are some of the most fearless kids you will ever see. Not only did they have to overcome the doubts of the education establishment, they also had to withstand efforts by some of the most powerful people in this city to kill this program. So today I am asking each of you to support H.R. 10, which reauthorizes this program for another 5 years. Here is why. Yes, this issue is personal to me and has been for a long time. But, frankly, it ought to be personal to every single Member of this body. Those of us who work here, who make a good living here, owe something to the kids in this town. We owe these kids a fighting chance at success. So what I am asking you to do today is help these kids get over the mountain. Help us keep building the movement that could. Vote for H.R. 10.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Midmark Corporation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, on their 100th anniversary. Led by four generations of the Eiting family, Midmark has led the way in medical innovation and improving patient care. As this Ohio business celebrates this important milestone, I applaud all the men and women who have contributed to Midmark's success. This is truly the American Dream at its finest. To Dr. Anne Eiting Klamar and the entire Midmark team, you have much to celebrate, and of course, much to look forward to. Here is to another 100 years.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, later today, we are going to cast two votes. These votes will be amongst the most consequential votes that we will cast--some of us--in our careers. Our Founding Fathers charged both the President and the Congress with providing for the common defense for good reason. It is the core responsibility of our Federal Government. It is the key to our freedom and for all of our opportunities. That is why, at the front of the oath every Member takes, it states: ``I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.'' As we consider this nuclear agreement with Iran, it is our duty to determine whether it will keep America safe. Sadly, this deal is far worse than anything I could have imagined. Why? It is because the President and his negotiators broke every one of their promises. Does this deal dismantle Iran's nuclear program or shut off their path to a nuclear weapon as they promised it would? No. Instead, it allows Iran to keep thousands of nuclear centrifuges spinning, as they are today. Within 10 years, in the best case, it allows Iran to achieve a nuclear status. Was this agreement built on verification? No. It appears a side deal will trust Iran to self-inspect a key site where the regime conducted tests on nuclear detonators. Of course, we haven't seen that actionable side deal, and we don't know if there are any other secret components. Does this agreement allow inspectors to have anywhere, anytime, 24/7 access as they promised it would? No. Inspectors will have to wait up to 24 days for access to suspicious sites. Will sanctions snap back? No. The administration admits that nothing at the UN happens in a snap. Does it shut down Iran's ballistic missile program as they promised it would? No. Actually, the agreement lifts the arms and missile embargoes in 5 and 8 years, respectively, and it allows Iran to build ICBMs capable of delivering a nuclear warhead right here at the United States of America. Does this agreement affect Iran's status as the world's leading sponsor of terror? Yes, it actually does. It hands Iran billions of dollars to support more of their terrorist activities around that part of the world, and it gives amnesty to the shadow commander responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops in Iraq. This is all without Iran cheating. That is right; this is such a bad deal that the Ayatollah won't even have to cheat to be just steps away from a nuclear weapon. Today, we are going to cast two votes. These votes are aimed at stopping President Obama from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Iran and ensuring accountability. My colleagues, in pursuing this deal with Iran, President Obama refused to listen. He ignored the concerns of the American people, national security experts, and a bipartisan majority here in the Congress. Now, he is preparing to try and force this deal over our objections. Never in our history has something with so many consequences for our national security been rammed through with such little support. Today is September 11. It is a day for all Americans to come together and for us to keep the oath we swore to our Constitution. Our fight to stop this bad deal, frankly, is just beginning. We will not let the American people down.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. My colleagues, the people's House is only as good as its people, and I would like to take a moment to recognize a very well- respected member of our staff. Tim Harroun, the manager of the Republican cloakroom, is retiring after 41 years of service. It is actually more than that when you factor in that Tim started here as a page on September 5, 1972, under Republican leader Gerald R. Ford; but his first full-time job was in the post office. Then he moved to the cloakroom, where he has been a steady presence ever since. Now, you all know Tim is a good guy and, frankly, quite a character, and he wears the worst ties of anybody here. But, Tim, God has blessed you with great success because you are the kind of guy who works hard and gives back. So, on behalf of the whole House, I want to thank you for your long and distinguished service, and I wish you and your wife all the best.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Awards recognize four avenues of individual growth--community service, physical fitness, exploration, and personal development--and how the fulfillment of these goals forms balanced and promising young citizens. In their pursuit of these goals, recipients of the Congressional Awards have gained new skills and greater confidence. For many, these projects will be the cornerstone for future endeavors, further enriching their lives and encouraging others to follow their lead. The recipients of the 2015 Congressional Awards set the finest example and demonstrate dedication to improving their communities and the Nation as a whole. Gabriela Abadia, Lincoln Abbott, Biraspati Adhikari, Radhika Adhikari, Seth Alicea, Naomi Allen, Michael Alvaro, Maria Alverio, Julie Ambo, Griffin Armstorff, Kobi Axelrod, Atalie Bale, Zoe Barbeau, J. Aaren Barge, Mackenzie Batten, Hunter Benkoski, Rajat Bhageria, Jamuna Bista, Michael Boyson, Olivia Brophy, Camden Brown, Rachel Bugge, Ryan Buraus, William Buster, Mary Ann Cahoon. Victoria Cannon, Matthew Cha, Wing Kay Joyce Chan, Corbin Chance, Jacob Chasan, Michael Cheng, Emily Chiles, Alexander Cho, Daniel Cho, Justin Cho, Bogeun Choi, Noah Choi, Siri Choragudi, Joshua Chung, Daniel Cieply, Melody Colliatie, Brandon Colling, Matthew Connell, Patrick Connell, James Cook, Virginia Cook, Phillip Costello, Hannah Crane, Kamila Czachorowski, John Dadouris, Juhi Dalal. Maria Dattolo, Nolan Dexter-Brown, Nielsen Dias, Randell Doane, Rupa Dulal, Maxwell Durtschi, Caroline Dutzi, Casey Eble, Edison Elder, Michael Epperly, Michaela Fallon, James Fantin, Nicole Farese, Carianna Farrell, Frank Faverzani, Lesli Fernandez. Catherine Fisher, Bri Flaherty, Christina Flear, Alie Fordyce, Samuel Fordyce, Abbie Foster, Michael Frye, J. Parker Garrison, Jeremy Geiger, Tristana Giunta, Kyle Goggio, Alec Gonzales, Adan Gonzalez, Katherine Grabowsky, Matthew Grillo, Alana Gross, James Grubbs. Felix Guo, Devika Gurung, Emma Hall, Matthew Halloran, Jacob (Jungwoo) Han, Robert Hapke, Katrina Hayes-Macaluso, Charlotte Heffelmire, Danielle Heins, Josh Heisey, Jordan Helfand, Jocelyn Hernandez, Noah Hicks, Matthew Higgs, Joseph Hinton, Joanna Hong, Ellen Ingwerson, Michael Ivkov, Avinash Iyer, Catherine Jessen, KeeGan Johnson. Brister Jones, Jonathan Jow, Raghav Kalra, George Kanellitsas, Aaron Kang, Arjun Kapoor, Serhat Kariparduc, Karna Karki, Karishma Kashyap, Robynn-Emmanuelle Katzeff, Justin Kawaguchi, Sabrine Keane, Juliana Kemenosh, Reber Kennedy, Taylor Kennington, Arbab Khalid, Christopher Kim, Lucia Kim, Yoorhim Kim, Sara Knighton, Juliana Kochis. Sarah Kopsa, Nikki Kothari, Isaac Kuo, Sam Kuster, Michelle Laker, Basanta Lamichhane, Taylor Lane, Jennifer Lang, Holly Laws, Jeff Lee, Ji Hye Lee, Sophia Lee, Shanley Lenart, Chester Leung, Brittany Levy, Erin Lewis, Jessica Li, Emilie Liu, Abigail Lockhart, Savannah Logan, Shivani Lokre. Harrison Teague Loughman, Amanda Lu, Morgan Ludwig, Ferdinand Luhur, Tess Luman, Mason Magee, Jonathan Mak, Jordan Marino, Zachary Maxwell, Kailey McCormick, Gabriel McDonald, Hugh McGinley, Grace McGowan, Laura Mediorreal, Samuel Meyerson, Alexander Mietchen, Amrita Mojumdar, Emma Moon, Andrew Morgan, Olivia Morton, Taylor Murphy. Nicole Nam, Michael Negraru, Kevin Ng, Jennifer Nicholas, Kirsten Norton, Jessica Ocampo, John Wesley Orton, Fernando Osornio, Zachary Panton, Ni Em Par, Eli Parker, Mili Patel, Brandon Paul, Avani Pavuluri, Henry Pawelczyk, John Peruzzi, John Peters, Marianna Pizzato, Rishi Prasad, Samantha Price, Jessica Pritchard. Anne-Marie Prochaska, Rebecca Pulley, Stephanie Quinton, Morgan Redford, Casey Riggs, Micheal Riggs, Jose Andres Rocha, Anna Rogers, Ashley Royce, Ashley Ryan, Sabrina Saintil, Marisa Salvador, Suhani Sanghavi, Tara Santora, Aakanksha Saxena, Michael Schaja, Jericho Schroeder, Lauren Seckar, David Seo, Dae han Seong, Supreet Shah. Jeremy Shockley, Ki Wan Sim, Samantha Singer, Austin Smith, Chelsea Smith, Dorothy Smith, Hunter Smith, Shelbi Smolak, Mollie Somers, Arjun Sridhar, Shimona Srivastava, Cassandra Steele, Annalise Stevenson, Rachel Stogner, Kyle Sukley, Thomas Sych, Kavya Tangella, Emma Taylor-Brill, Seth Taylor- Brill, Gopinath Thangada, Kabita Thapa. Jacob Thiemann, Brooke Tobias, Vincent Tran, Mary Turney, Nihar Varanasi, Robert Vaughn, Ellie Vigurie, Samuel Vilchez, Patrick Vin, Stephen Waldrep, Samuel Walker, Merran Waller, Christopher Warburton, Lorne Wasserman, Tiffani Webb, Jaynie Welsh, Jessica Williams, Jessica Wilson, Rachel Wilson, Lyssa Winslow, Jacqueline Wong. Jared Wong, Daniel Yang, Karen Yang, Nicolas Yang, Jonathan Ye, Joshua Yoo, Seung-Hee Yoo, GiHyeon Yoon, Daniel Yoon, Michael Youn, Nick Zamora, Andrew Zehner, Cameron Zetterlund, Sophie Zhang, Bradley Zhu.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Let me start by thanking the gentleman from Wisconsin for his leadership on the committee and his leadership on this bill. I also want to thank Chairman Sessions and members of the Rules Committee for all of their work. I want to thank Mr. Tiberi, the chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, for the tremendous job that he has done. I am grateful to all Members who have offered constructive contributions to this debate. My colleagues, we are not here today to debate any particular trade bill. The day for that may come, and when it does, we want to make sure that agreement reflects the people's priorities. That means more jobs, higher pay, and more opportunities for workers, farmers, and small businesses. That is why we want to make sure that this agreement isn't rushed and we want to make sure that there is no agreement that is in secret. We want to make sure--darn sure--that there is less authority for the President and more authority for the people. That is what this bill does. It is a means to an end, and the end is more free trade that is good for our economy and good for our country, which brings me to another priority in this bill, and that is American leadership. When America leads, the world is safer, for freedom and for free enterprise. When we don't lead, we are allowing and essentially inviting China to go right on setting the rules of the world economy. What that does is keep our workers and our products on the sidelines. We are Americans, aren't we? We are not people who stand still. We don't give in to doubt and defeatism. This is one of those moments when we need to remember that this country is an idea. It is an idea of people who choose their own destiny and people who dare to be exceptional. My colleagues, you will recall that the Prime Minister of Japan was here earlier this spring. And during his address, which was about the need for America to lead on trade, he talked about how this is an ``awesome country'' because here, he said, ``you just choose the best idea, no matter who it comes from.'' Well, today, the best idea is to vote ``yes,'' not for the President, not for ourselves, but for our kids and our grandkids. I know some Members of this body don't like trade promotion authority, some don't like Trade Adjustment Assistance. But today I am here to vote for both because it is the right thing to do.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. My colleagues, next week marks the 1-year anniversary since General Eric Shinseki resigned as the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department. At the time, the President promised reform. He said: ``The number one priority is making sure that problems get fixed.'' Instead of a new day at the VA, the American people are still seeing more of the same. Last year, Congress gave the VA Secretary new authority to fire employees. While some 110 VA facilities kept secret lists to hide their wait times, just one person has been fired--one. What the hell happened to the rest of them? Some got to retire with their benefits, some got transfers, some got paid leave, some got a slap on the wrist. All of them went on collecting checks from taxpayers. If only the Veterans Administration did half as good a job of taking care of our veterans as they do the bureaucrats, we would be in a lot better shape. Congress also gave the VA more than $16 billion to improve care and to shorten waiting times, yet the number of patients facing long waits is about the same. The number of patients waiting more than 90 days has doubled. At this point, the VA can't even build a hospital. Just about every project ends up years behind schedule and hundreds of millions, if not billions, over cost. Last week, the public learned that the VA is spending $6 billion a year illegally. An internal report exposed examples of overspending on conferences, improper gifts, inappropriate purchases, and promotional items--again, if only VA bureaucrats did as good a job taking care of our veterans as they do themselves. The author of the report at the VA wrote, ``doors are swung wide open for fraud, waste, and abuse,'' and that these actions ``may potentially result in serious harm or death to America's veterans.'' That is their own expert saying this. This isn't run-of-the-mill incompetence. It is arrogance; and it is arrogance that allows our veterans to be lied to, ignored, and, frankly, left to die. My colleagues, it is almost Memorial Day. This is when we slow down and reflect on the debt of gratitude that we owe to our heroes. I commend Chairman Miller and all of the members of the Veterans Affairs' Committee for striving every day to fulfill this obligation. Congress will continue to pass legislation to hold the VA accountable, but only the administration can change the culture from within. The President owes the American people a real, long-term plan to fix the VA--not a promise, not a pledge, not rearranging the chairs on a deck--a real plan to clean up this mess. I will keep coming back to this podium until the administration produces such a plan.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the whole House to support H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. H.R. 36 is the most pro-life legislation to ever come before this body, and it reflects the will of the American people. As such, it also reflects the contributions of many people and many perspectives. I want to take this opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. I also want to thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers), our Conference chair, for her leadership in helping us shepherd this bill to the floor. I want to take a moment to recognize all of the Americans who spoke out for this bill. Their voices have been heard. After all, they have no higher obligation than to speak out for those who can't speak for themselves, to defend the defenseless. That is what this bill does. We know that by 5 months in the womb, unborn babies are capable of feeling pain, and it is morally wrong to inflict pain on an innocent human being. Protecting these lives is the right thing to do. Again, a majority of Americans agree. Madam Speaker, growing up with 11 brothers and sisters, I didn't need my parents to tell me that every child is a gift from God. But let me tell you, they did, and they did it often because that respect, that sanctity, and that dignity is everything. A vote for this bill is a vote to protect innocent lives and to protect our dearest values for generations to come. We should all be proud to take this stance today, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill today.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, the Honorable James Claude Wright, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, died on May 6, 2015. On that day, I issued the following statement: The whole House mourns the passing of Speaker Jim Wright of the state of Texas. We remember Speaker Wright today for his lifelong commitment to public service, from flying combat missions over the South Pacific to fighting for Fort Worth on the House floor. Speaker Wright understood as well as anyone this institution's closeness to the people, calling the House `the raw essence of the nation.' It is in this spirit that we send our deepest condolences to his family and community. The House took several steps to honor the former Speaker. The Speaker's chair on the rostrum was draped in black--the same mark of respect first made upon the death of Michael Kerr of Indiana, Speaker of the House in the 44th Congress and most recently for Thomas Foley. The Speaker's gavel rested on the rostrum during this period. Outside the House Chamber, Speaker Wright's official portrait in the Speaker's lobby was draped in black. A book of condolences was made available for the remembrances of friends and colleagues. On May 12, 2015, the House adopted House Resolution 245, expressing the condolences of the House upon his death, and the House adjourned on that day as a further mark of respect to his memory. A funeral was held on May 11, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. The following is a transcript of those proceedings: A Service of Thanksgiving to God for the Life and Legacy of James Claude Wright, Jr., December 22, 1922-May 6, 2015 Prelude--(Ms. Peggy Graff, organist) Processional--``Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee'' Call to worship (The Reverend Dr. Tim Bruster, First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Texas) Reverend Bruster: Please be seated. Hear these words of Jesus: I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everybody who lives and believes in me will never die. Christ said: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last and the living one. I was dead, and now I am alive, forever and ever. Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to draw comfort from our faith and to give thanks as we celebrate the life of Jim Wright. We come together in grief, of course, acknowledging our human loss. But we also come together in gratitude, acknowledging and giving thanks for his life and his legacy and for everything in his life that was a reflection of the love and the grace of God. May God grant us grace in this time that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow we may find joy, and in death, resurrection. Let's pray. Our gracious and loving God, we bow in awe of Your greatness and Your love. You have spoken words of life to us in so many ways. You've given form and beauty to our world, and all of creation sings Your praise. You have given us one another to love and receive love, a reflection of Your gracious love for us. And You have spoken to us in the words of Scripture and in Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Author of life. As You speak to us now, in this service of worship, help us once again to hear Your words of life as we celebrate the life and legacy of Your servant, Jim. In Jesus' name. Amen. I invite you now to turn in your worship guide to the words of the 23rd Psalm as we say them together: ``The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. ``He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. ``He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. ``Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. ``Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ``Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The words of Psalm 46: ``God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. ``There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the Earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. ``Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations He has brought on the Earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the Earth; He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fire. `Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the Earth.' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.'' The words of the prophet Micah: `` `With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old. Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?' ``He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?'' God speaks to us in the reading of Scripture. Solo--``Let There Be Peace on Earth'' performed by Mr. Christopher Auchter. (The Honorable Martin Frost, United States House of Representatives, 24th District of Texas, 1979-2005) Mr. Frost: Well, in the words of President John F. Kennedy about Jim Wright: No city in America was better represented in Congress than Fort Worth. I'm here today to speak on behalf of the scores of people-- many of whom, Texans--that Jim Wright helped along the way with their careers. He was our mentor, our colleague, and our friend. And we were better public servants because of Jim Wright, and many of those Members, past and present, Democrat and Republican, are here with us today to honor Jim. In a minute, I'm going to speak about what Jim did for my career, but it really speaks volumes for what he did for a lot of others, too. Jim Wright was an extraordinary leader both for the people of Fort Worth and for our Nation. He always remembered the people who sent him to Washington and worked tirelessly to make our country even better every day he was in office. Few Congressmen in recent times have had a greater impact than our friend Jim Wright. I met Jim Wright 57 years ago, in 1958, when he was a young Congressman beginning his second term and I was a 16-year- old. Jim was the guest speaker at the Temple Beth-El youth group in the basement of the old synagogue building on West Broadway, near downtown. I had never met a national politician before, and he made a deep impression on me that day. I remember to this day some of what he said, and more of that a little bit later. Seven years later, in 1965, I showed up in Washington as a young reporter covering Congress for a magazine, and the first thing I did was to go see my hometown Congressman, Jim Wright. Jim and his chief of staff, Marshall Lynam, were very helpful to this young reporter, suggesting who I should get to know on congressional committee staffs. Three years later, in the summer of 1968, Jim helped me get a job on Hubert Humphrey's national Presidential campaign staff while I was a student at Georgetown Law School. The last two people I saw before I headed back to Texas following graduation in 1970 were Jim and Marshall. I told them that I hoped to come back to D.C. some day as a Congressman--in a neighboring district. I had no intention of ever running against Jim Wright. Fast forward to 1976 when I was north Texas coordinator of the Carter-Mondale Presidential campaign. The Carter campaign wanted to come to Texas the weekend before the general election when carrying Texas was still in doubt. They wanted to only stop in Dallas. As a Fort Worth boy, I told them they also had to come to Cowtown and that I knew that local Congressman Jim Wright would put on one hell of a show for them, and that's exactly what Jim did. He filled the downtown convention center with more than 10,000 people early in the afternoon that Sunday. It made great television, and Carter became the last Democratic Presidential candidate to carry Texas. Shortly after that election, Jim Wright became House majority leader by one vote in a hotly contested secret ballot election. He certainly knew how to count. Two years later, I was elected to Congress from the 24th District, which, in fact, adjoined the 12th District that Jim represented. Jim went to Speaker Tip O'Neill and made sure I was named to the powerful House Rules Committee, an appointment that almost never went to a freshman Member. From that day on, Jim Wright and I became both colleagues and friends. He was my mentor during the 11 years we served together, and I learned an enormous amount just watching him in action. And when I inherited the Black community in southeast Fort Worth following the 1991 redistricting, I only used one picture in my mailing: a photo of Jim Wright and me. There wasn't anything else the voters in that part of my district needed to know. They continued to be my base for the remainder of my 26 years in Congress, and just to make sure people in Fort Worth knew that I had strong ties to Fort Worth, even though I now lived in Dallas, he used to tell anyone who would listen that I went to high school in his district in Fort Worth's Paschal, and he went to high school in my district in Dallas' Adamson. When Jim taught a course at TCU on Congress for 20 years after leaving the Congress, I was proud to be a guest lecturer for him every single year. The last time I saw Jim was in the spring of 2014, when I was working on a book about Congress. We visited for about an hour in his office at TCU. His body was frail, but his mind was as sharp as ever. I learned how to be an effective Congressman by observing Jim as a colleague and as a junior partner on a variety of matters that helped Fort Worth. He never forgot the people who sent him to Washington. He was a stalwart in his work on behalf of defense workers at what is now Lockheed Martin, which was General Dynamics, and Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth. He played a significant role in the decision by American Airlines to move its corporate headquarters from New York to the Metroplex, and he was a strong supporter of DFW airport, the jobs magnet for this part of the State. We worked together--and by the way, he did the heavy lifting--to convince the railroad to make its right-of-way available for the Trinity River Express connecting Fort Worth and Dallas. No request from anyone in Tarrant County was too small to win Jim's help. Also, Jim's role in promoting the careers of promising African Americans from Fort Worth was of great significance. He brought Lorraine Miller, a young woman from the southeast side of Fort Worth, to Washington to work on his staff. Years later, she became the first African American to serve as Clerk of the U.S. House and recently served as interim national president of the NAACP. And just a few years ago, Jim played a key role in the election of Mark Veasey, who became the first Black Congressman from Fort Worth. One of Jim's greatest strengths was molding a disparate group of Democrats into an effective majority when he became Speaker. During his first year as Speaker in 1987--and Tony and Steny, you will remember this--Congress passed all 13 appropriation bills before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, something that is almost never done today. I remember his response to a question from the audience at that speech at Temple Beth-El in 1958. He was asked what a Congressman does when he feels one way about an issue and his district feels the other way. He responded that the job of a Congressman was to reflect the views of his district as often as he could. He then added that he reserved a small percentage of votes, perhaps 10 percent, to vote against the majority of his district if he felt something was vital in the national interest. And he then added that it was his responsibility to go back to his constituents to explain his vote and hopefully convince them that he was right and they were wrong. He added that if a Congressman couldn't successfully do that, he wouldn't be reelected, and that was as it should be. He did a very good job following his own advice. I did the same and found that he was exactly correct. Fort Worth is a great city today because of Jim Wright. We all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. We will never see his like again. (The Honorable Bill Alexander, United States House of Representatives, First District of Arkansas, 1969-1993) Mr. Alexander: Jimmy and Ginger, Kerry, Lisa, and all the Wright family, I feel that we are kin. And to all of his friends who are here today, I join you in tribute to one of my dearest friends. I kept up with Jim through the years, even after he left Washington and returned to Texas; and following his recovery from surgery, I gave him a call one day, and he invited me to come to Fort Worth. So my son and I--Alex, who is here--with his sister Ashley, who came to TCU at a later time, boarded our plane and came to DFW. At those days, Jim was driving, and so he met us at the airport. I'd never been outside of DFW before, so I didn't know what to expect. And so as we left the terminal, I noticed all of the concrete infrastructure that supports the airport: the entrance ramps, the exit ramps, the overhead bridges, the long ride to the interstate. I never saw so much concrete in all my life. So I turned to Jim, who at one time, as most of you know, was chairman of the Public Works Committee, and I said to him, ``Jim, how much money did the Public Works Committee spend on this airport?'' And he looked at me and rolled his brow and lifted his big bushy eyebrows and he said to me, ``Not a penny more than the law allowed.'' Jim was probably one of the most successful chairmen in Congress; and with that success, people encouraged him, and he ran for majority leader. As all of you probably followed in the news, it was a very contentious race, and on the day of the vote, I was appointed to be a judge. And so after the votes were cast, I adjourned with the other members of the election group and counted the votes. We counted them twice, and Jim won by one vote. I got up from the chair in the Speaker's lounge--the Speaker's lobby, we call it--rushed through the door to the House Chamber, and Jim was sitting on the second row on the Democratic side in the Hall of the House. I rushed up to him and I said, ``Jim, you won.'' He was surprised because no one knew the outcome of that election. He looked at me, and he said, ``Are you sure?'' And I said, ``Jim, I counted the votes, and if you hadn't won, Phil Burton said he would send me to Alaska.'' Following in the footsteps of Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson, Jim asserted leadership in Congress at a time of confusion in the Senate and the White House, demonstrating a unique ability to command our Nation's political resources to get things done. And this went across the aisle to the Republicans and even down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, which is a million miles away if you serve in Congress sometimes. Jim Wright had fought in World War II to defend the values of the Greatest Generation, as Tom Brokaw describes this generation, a generation of men and women united in common purposes of family, country, duty, honor, courage, and service. During World War II, he flew many combat missions. I haven't really been able to discern exactly how many yet because there's such a debate over it. Maybe somebody will tell me before I go back to Washington. And he served as a bombardier and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. Jim believed that government should serve the people as well as the economic interests, which also must be represented, and provide Federal assistance to communities and States like Arkansas, where I'm from. It's in need of capital development in order to provide infrastructure to try to attract industry and jobs for our people. That was, in his view, providing building blocks for the foundation of the economic development that benefits all of us. All you've got to do is look around in Texas a little bit to find out if it works. The criticism of Speaker Wright, which is in the news, instead of all of the accomplishments that we know he achieved, his strong leadership came from a changing Congress. Some of my former colleagues from Congress are here today, and they know what I'm talking about. Beginning with the 1968 election, which was my first election to Congress, the ideals and values of the Greatest Generation began to evolve. A Congress run by Southern Democrats, who chaired mostly the important committees in the Congress, was gradually replaced by a younger generation of Congressmen and Senators, many of them in the other party. And when he left Congress, even his political enemies often remarked that, had he stayed in Congress, he would have been the greatest Speaker since Henry Clay. His time as Speaker laid down historic markers. He was the last great figure in Congress to keep alive the idea of development--that came from the New Deal--that would help our economy. After him came what we call Reaganomics and the tidal wave of polarization of our two political parties and the continuing mindless cannibalism which we can still see evident today between the parties and even in the parties in Congress. Criticism of Speaker Wright's forceful leadership came from Republicans and Democrats alike; although, at the time he stepped down, the principal antagonists came from within our own party. I was there, and I know who they are. What followed was a profound change in the power structure in Congress, shifting away from the power and authority lodged in a handful of key Southern committee chairmen to a dispersion of power among proliferating committees and subcommittees, encouraging intensifying rivalries and even political fratricides throughout the House. His departure marked the end of an era when Southern Democrats dominated in both the House and the Senate, along with a gradual evolution of the Congress toward social issues. It marked the transition from Southern leadership of Congress to a growing concentration of power of the Democratic Party in our Nation's biggest cities, many of them in the North, opening a widening rift between our Nation's small towns and rural areas and the political interests of the inner cities. The way was opened for lobbyists to shift attention away from schools and roads and bridges and water systems that helped our people to special interests of Wall Street banks and a commercial agenda. A fluent speaker of Spanish, he took the initiative to intervene in the political crisis in Nicaragua and crafted peace talks that laid the foundation for elections. When I assisted him in this so-called ``junket,'' in his endeavor I found that what we tried to do generated much consternation among President Reagan's White House staff. Later, another great Texan, James Baker, observed that what Jim Wright did with his intervention in Nicaragua turned the corner for that nation and helped the U.S. and Nicaragua to come to better terms with one another. Jim Wright was not only a master of the political structure and the rules in Congress, he also was an author, a professor. He lectured at Texas Christian University with eagerness to inspire and guide our Nation's youth. In the tradition of Sam Houston and Sam Rayburn, Jim Wright was a giant. I was his chief deputy whip in the Congress, the worst job in the House of Representatives, but it was worth all the knocks and the cuts and the bruises and the criticism that I endured to fight for the values established by the Greatest Generation until the ideals were changed by a new breed of voter who believes that Washington is not a solution, rather, Washington is the problem. He was my dear friend, and I stood with him in every fight for the values that won World War II and provided the building blocks and foundation for the greatest economy on Earth. God bless Jim Wright. (Mr. Paul Driskell, Special Assistant, Majority Leader James C. Wright, Jr.) Mr. Driskell: Martin, Bill, Betsy, Mike, Kenneth, Mr. Leader, Steny Hoyer--the one man in this sanctuary today who knows the full weight and measure and the responsibilities of the job this prince of peace executed so beautifully for so many years. Dear Steny, thank you for your presence today. How very, very special, how honored he would be, how much he would love this congregation today. This is a delegation of community builders. Mr. Wright loved Sam Rayburn dearly, and he often quoted him; and of course many people wondered why Mr. Rayburn went back to Bonham, Texas, after announcing he was going to leave the House, and his answer was simple: Bonham, Texas: the people there know when you're sick, and they care when you die. You have validated Jim Wright's recitation of that quote, all of you today, by honoring him in coming here. You knew he was ill, and you cared that he died. Oh, how he would celebrate you. Oh, how he must be enjoying this. He loved people of accomplishment. He loved people who contributed and built. Mr. Rayburn used to always say: A jackass can kick a barn down; it takes a carpenter to build one. It's no accident that our Lord was fathered by a carpenter--and parented by a carpenter in his early years. I'd like to give you a sense of Speaker Wright, Jim Wright, and my friend. It may be very, very unique. And as I have thought about him so much and as I visited him in those final days, things came to me that I would have never imagined. He was, in fact, the first gifted multitasker. Now, if you know anything about Jim, he despised anything to do with technology, but he was a multitasker. Let me explain what I mean. February 7, 1985, 11 o'clock in the morning, after about 30 days, some of the people in this room--Tony, John--had been working diligently because Mr. O'Neill had told us privately he was going to retire. So we were trying to collect the requisite number of votes for him to become Speaker of the House 2 years out. February 7, 1985, 11 o'clock in the morning, a national press conference was held in the office that Steny Hoyer's offices are in today. He met the national press. He was surrounded by his colleagues. He was surrounded by people who loved him and wished well for him, and he made the announcement that he had achieved the requisite number of votes to capture his dream, to be Speaker of the House. He put a peace, if you will, in a body that's not given to peace easily about the next years and how things would follow. Fifteen minutes later, he grabbed me by the arm and escorted me and my wife, Donna, up the back stairs with 31 other people to the House Chaplain's office where Chaplain Ford married us at Henry Clay's desk, the great compromiser. And then, he walked back downstairs with us. We had a reception in the office. He pulled Donna and me aside and he said, ``I only have two things to tell you two: Paul, always hold her hand, and never go to bed mad.'' Mr. Speaker, sometimes you set the bar too high. I have removed pillows from my bed so as not to elevate the temptation for Donna to smother me. There are so many things privately that I loved about him and that we shared. He had a passionate love for boxing. He knew boxing. He knew boxing like Nat Fleischer, the famous author who recorded almost everything of significance about American heavyweight boxing. We went to a fight. We went to Golden Gloves. We went to the Olympic trials. We went to tons of professional fights. It was like going to that fight with Nat Fleischer, and he would be sitting there and he would be reciting to you the ring scores of the Firpo-Dempsey fight. He knew--every--every hobby and interest he had, he wanted to know everything there was to know about it. If you ever saw the roses that he cultivated, you'd understand that in spades. He was a gifted horticulturist. He was a great teacher. Kay, you and I sat just about where Steny was sitting 2 years ago, 2\1/2\ years ago, and you told me how he taught you and Ginger, Jenny and Lisa about God. In fact, he used a wagon wheel and said that was the universe and God was, indeed, the hub; and the spokes represented the people, and, of course, the rim, where all the damage and impact takes place, was the furthest from God. And he admonished you that it was your job, it was your responsibility, it was a testament of your faith to move closer down those spokes because you would be closer to more people, and as you were closer to more people, you'd be closer to God. What a gift. I've often wondered, and I think everyone in this sanctuary today wonders, why God lets us see certain things at certain times. It seems rather odd. Last week, just the day before his passing and only a few days after my last visit with him, there was a documentary on about George Foreman. I happened to turn it on the other night. George Foreman, the famous heavyweight, struck fear and terror in everyone's heart-- undefeated, knocked poor Joe Frazier down eight times. And the interviewer asked him a question. He said, ``Who was the greatest champion of all time in your estimation?'' And George Foreman didn't hesitate. He said, ``Muhammad Ali.'' That stunned the interviewer. Muhammad Ali had defeated George Foreman in Zaire, Africa, and usually when a boxer loses to another one, it was a lucky punch or you're just a little better that night, not the greatest champion that ever lived. He didn't hesitate. He said, ``Muhammad Ali.'' The interviewer said, ``Why? Why do you choose him?'' He said, ``Well, if you saw the fight in the eighth round, he hit me twice in the face.'' And if any of you remember or happened to have seen it, George Foreman began to cartwheel. He began to turn and fall to the floor. And as he was falling, Muhammad Ali, as all boxers are trained all their life to do, cocked his arm to hit him with what is known as the ``killing punch.'' And George Foreman said, ``I looked up out of my left eye, just partially conscious, knowing I was going to the floor, and he never threw that punch. So for me, he's not the greatest champion that ever lived for the punches he threw; it's for what he didn't do. It's the punch he didn't throw.'' And the very people who besmirched and impugned this prince of peace at the end of his public career, when they fell on hard times and they fell by the sword they had so recklessly wielded, not once in private--and certainly never in public-- did Jim Wright throw that punch. He could not retaliate. He didn't just talk Christian forgiveness; he lived it. His higher calling at that time was to find a way to inspire students at TCU to engage in public service and to think about the possibilities of what they could build, like the beautiful people in this room today. He didn't throw that punch. I was 15 years old, standing in front of a black-and-white TV, and I watched Robert Kennedy say, ``When he shall die, take him and cut him out into stars, and he shall make the face of Heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish Sun.'' I didn't know at 15 just what that meant. At 65, I marvel how Bobby Kennedy could have mustered the strength and the insight to say that about the brother he loved, in some ways his best friend, and, oh, by the way, in passing, the President of the United States. I understood because of this church and because of my association with him that all of us have a spark of divinity. We are all made in God's image, and that spark is there, but what I didn't understand was that there are a special few who possess a flame, a torch. It's bigger. It's more committed. It's something we can appreciate. It's not necessarily something we readily understand. It's not by accident that there's an eternal flame that burns at John Kennedy's grave and why, for all the accomplishments: the Peace Corps, the space program, all of those things--no. That's part of it. That's why millions go there to pay respects. The part of it is that during the most sensitive time in our Nation's history, when we were the closest to engaging in a nuclear holocaust, when every adviser that that President had was admonishing him to take advantage of the tactical and strategic position we occupied for those precious few days and strike Cuba with nuclear weapons, he didn't throw that punch. And we're all breathing good air and loving our friends and conducting our lives because of that divine torch. The thing I think I will miss most is a private passion that Jim had and I shared. He loved movies. The singular thing that we really appreciated together was we happened to think that Robert Duvall was the greatest American actor that's ever lived. Jim's favorite movie was ``Tender Mercies,'' and my favorite film was ``The Natural.'' And in ``The Natural,'' there's a scene--of course, all the ladies in here know Robert Redford was the natural. He was Roy Hobbs, the gifted baseball player. Robert Duvall was the cynical sportswriter; Wilford Brimley was the crusty old coach. And there's that beautiful soliloquy where the coach walks in and he says--I mean, pardon me, Robert Duvall walks in and says to the coach, ``Coach, who is this Roy Hobbs?'' And the coach turns on his heels and says, ``I don't know who Roy Hobbs is. I just know he's the best there is and the best there ever will be.'' Jim Wright, you are the natural. There probably has never been a man in American history who I can recall that so eloquently used the English language. He helped those of us who only have sparks appreciate the flame with his application of our language. And it seems a shame that I can't find words in my language to encompass all that he was, and yet he will always be. Only in Spanish: Vaya con Dios--go and be with God. Light of our land. Vaya con Dios, friend of my life. Congregational Hymn--``This is My Song'' Reverend Bruster: I invite you to hear now the words of the Apostle Paul from the first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13: ``If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. ``Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ``Love never ends.'' And Paul ends that chapter with the words: ``And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.'' The words of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, a sermon on the plain: ``But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat, do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. ``If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'' Jim had a wonderful, quick wit as we all know. His responses to glowing introductions illustrated that point. Two years ago, when Cissy Day was introducing him to a Sunday school class where he was about to speak, she told a story at the end of her introduction of something that he had done that was very kind and a note that he had written to her that was a kind note that she treasured. When he stood up then to speak, he looked over at her and he said, ``Uh, I had forgotten how nice I used to be.'' After a glowing introduction at another event, he said, ``An event of this dimension is just terribly hard on one's humility. Try as I might to look and sound humble, I just can't quite pull it off.'' And then he quoted Jesus: ``Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.'' And he said, ``You know, when I read that, I realized he doesn't say, `Let your light so shine so that others may see your good works and think what a great guy.' '' And then he went on to say, ``The purpose of good works is not to get bragged on.'' But then he said this: ``But if I'm honest with you, I guess I'm going to have to let you in on a little personal confession. Being bragged on, I like it,'' he said. ``I eat it up.'' And on another occasion, he said after an introduction, ``Undeserved as though an introduction like that is, indeed I want you to know that I liked it. I liked every word of it.'' And then he said, ``There are two kinds of people who appreciate flattery: men and women.'' So since Jim made that confession, I guess it's okay that we tell of his good works and that we laud him. And I hope that he would appreciate that we do it not just pointing at Jim, but pointing at the source of all of that for Jim; pointing not just to Jim, but beyond to the legacy that he received from other people, and beyond Jim to his faith and his commitment to Christ that guided his life. He leaves a great legacy, and our words hold up those great attributes not to point just to Jim, but to also point to his faith and commitment and the One in whom he had faith and the One that he sought to follow, and also to see Jim's life as an example to all of us. I want to think about that with you for just a few minutes. Jim was an encourager. As he sought to be a follower of Christ and as he put that into practice in his life, he knew the importance of encouragement. He was an encourager. In the book of Acts, we meet a man named Joseph. He was from Cyprus. But we don't know him as Joseph. We almost never hear that. After his first introduction in the book of Acts, he's known by his nickname, and his nickname was Barnabas. The disciples, the apostles, nicknamed him Barnabas because Barnabas means ``son of encouragement.'' He was an encourager. Imagine having your nickname mean one who encourages. We could call Jim that, a Barnabas, because he was. He was a son of encouragement. How many of us in this room, I wonder, have, in our possession, notes of encouragement from Jim Wright? I would guess a lot of us. Those notes arrived at a time of discouragement, perhaps, or a time of grief or a time of uncertainty or a time of failing confidence or a time of waning courage. A note of encouragement arrived at just the right time. What is the value of those notes? I was thinking about that and thought, you know, the law of supply and demand would say those notes are not worth anything at all; there are too many of them on the market. But the value of those notes goes far beyond that. They're valued in a different way. One person told me that she had such a note in a plastic sleeve and carried it with her for a long time. What an encourager, not just the notes, but the right words spoken at the right moment. We give thanks to God for Jim because Jim was a peacemaker, and we have heard our speakers talk eloquently about his peacemaking efforts. He often quoted Jesus, again, from the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. And he was a peacemaker. He was a man of strong convictions but yet able to see and to respect the perspective of another and to bring people together in ways that make for peace. He was, as a peacemaker, a child of God, as Jesus said. Now, peacemaking extended beyond what you may know about to his role as a parent. His daughters, Ginger and Kay, were fighting one time as sisters do, and Jim intervened as the peacemaker. And he made each one of them go to her room and write an essay, entitled, ``Why I Love My Sister.'' And he held on to those essays for 30 years, and then he gave them back to the girls so they could read them. Kay wrote this: ``Well, I suppose she's nice. Her friends seem to like her.'' Ginger wrote: ``Well, she seems to like my clothes because she wears them all the time.'' He closed the door after reading those essays and guffawed, as you can imagine. Ginger's comment, when she was telling me about it, was, ``And he thought the Sandinistas and Contras were tough.'' Jim was a servant leader; we know that. His accomplishments were many. In serving his beloved Weatherford and his beloved Fort Worth and his beloved Nation, he was a servant leader. Whether that was as a father, a grandfather, a great- grandfather, a soldier, a State legislator, a Scout master, a golden gloves boxing coach, a Sunday school teacher, a church leader, a mayor, a Congressman, a majority leader, a Speaker of the House, a teacher, or a friend, he was a servant leader--again, following the words of Jesus that we are to be servants of one another if we're ever to be called great. His life was committed to compassion and justice. I read those wonderful words from Micah a moment ago. Micah was writing to a nation, to his people, who had lost their way, who had lost sight of that which was most important. They had the right words. They had the right rituals. But Micah wrote that that was all empty and reminded them of what was most important that they should have known already. He said, ``What has he told you, O mortal, but what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.'' On so many occasions, I saw Jim share his faith; I saw Jim share his values, heard him speak in this pulpit. A number of years ago--I think it was in 2006--my wife, Susan, who was working at William James Middle School as academic coordinator, shared that with Jim, and he said, ``I used to go to William James Middle School.'' And she invited him then to come and speak to the students, and she had Jim Wright Day, and he spent most of the day at the school. And he talked with those students, and he had a reception in the library where he shared with them. There was a big assembly in the auditorium, and it's one of those old classic schools with a big auditorium, a balcony in the back, and it was packed with middle school kids. And I couldn't believe my eyes and my ears when he spoke to them. You could hear a pin drop. He was a master. And he shared with those kids the story of the Good Samaritan. I remember how he started into that. He said, ``There are a lot of different beliefs.'' He said, ``There is a man who lived a long time ago. His name was Jesus. He was a very good man, and a lot of different people believed a lot of different things about him. But he told some stories that taught some important values, and everybody agrees on that,'' he said. He told the story of the Good Samaritan. You know the story. The man is beaten and robbed, lying on the side of the road. Along come two people who pass by on the other side, and then comes the Samaritan who is the outsider in the story, and he's the one who helps the man. And I remember Jim said to those kids, ``This illustrates really three philosophies of life, the three ways of approaching life.'' He said, ``There is the philosophy of the thieves, and their philosophy is what's yours is mine, and I'll take it.'' He said, ``That philosophy still lives in attacking others and cheating people and greedy business practices and being envious of others and whatever belittles or injures or degrades another person. It's not always physically violent,'' he said. He said, ``We rob others by slander or gossip when we injure their reputations.'' And he said, ``The second philosophy is that of the two men who saw the wounded man but offered no help.'' He said, ``Their central operating principle is what is mine is all mine, and I'll keep it for myself.'' He said, ``That's less violent, but in its own way it's as selfish as the first.'' He said, ``We can come up with all kinds of excuses to justify not helping those injured along life's highway. We deceive ourselves and ignore their suffering by saying that they're not our responsibility.'' Then he said, ``Then there's the Samaritan. This was Jesus' model for humanity. He was a stranger and a child of another religious heritage, but he extended himself freely to help one in need. And his philosophy is what's mine is yours if you need it, and I'll share it with you.'' And then he said, ``Jesus told that story in answer to a question. The question was, Who is my neighbor?'' And then he told those kids, ``There are these three philosophies of life, and there's only one that makes the world a better place. There's only one that makes your relationships better, and it's that of the Samaritan. And we each can choose how we live.'' Now, that illustrates so much how Jim lived and how he wanted to pass on that legacy to those who came after him. Much has been spoken about his ability to forgive, and I cannot but think, as we meditate on those words of Jesus, the words of Paul about love, Jesus' words about forgiveness, and I can't help but think of the quote that he often gave from Abraham Lincoln. Someone once asked Lincoln if he believed in destroying his enemies, and Lincoln replied, ``Of course, I would like to destroy my enemies because I've never wanted enemies. The only way I know satisfactorily to destroy an enemy is to convert him to a friend.'' The Fetzer Institute has done a lot of research on forgiveness, and they define it in a way that I think is so meaningful, and that is, forgiveness is the difficult, intentional process of letting go of an old reality and opening up one's self to a new one. And Jim lived that difficult, intentional process of being able to let go of an old reality and opening up and living a new one. One friend emailed me and said, ``He was the poster child for amazing grace.'' That's the legacy that we celebrate today, and there's so much more that could be said. The challenge for all of us today was how do we winnow it down. But you know what? You carry those stories of Jim; you carry those memories; you carry that legacy. Share it; share it with one another; and do your best. Let us all do our best to live it--to live it. In the obituary that you were handed as you came in, there is a favorite quote of his from Horace Greeley: ``Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow. Only one thing endures--character.'' Well done, Jim Wright, good and faithful servant. Let's pray. Gracious God, we give You thanks for the hope that faith in You gives. For all Your people who have laid hold on that hope, especially we thank You for Your faithful servant Jim Wright. We thank You for all Your goodness to him and for everything in his life that was a reflection of Your love and Your grace. We give You thanks for his faith, for his love for and his commitment to You and to his family and to his friends, to his Nation. We give You thanks for his kindness, his passion for justice, his courage, and his strength of character. Loving God, hold us and all who mourn in Your love, and comfort this loving family and comfort us, his friends. Help us all to be ever mindful of Your sustaining presence. We offer a prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. In just a few moments, the family will process out, and you're invited to Wesley Hall, which is across the garden in that adjacent part of the building, for a reception with the family. Please note the instructions that are on the back of your bulletin, and I invite you to please remain seated, if you will, until the ushers direct you. Ginger shared with me one of her favorite memories of opening of the Presidential display, the new Presidential display in the early 1990s, a room turned into a replica of LBJ's office there in Austin. There was an antique pump organ there signed by all the Members of Congress, and Jake Pickle sat down at the organ and started playing a hymn. And the congressional Members and former Members there started singing the hymn, and it's the hymn that we're going to sing in just a moment after Jim's great-grandchildren give us our benediction. A benediction isn't really a prayer. It can be a prayer of course, but traditionally, it is not. The word ``benediction'' literally means ``a good word.'' The great- grandchildren, led by the oldest, Campbell, will give us their good word. Will you come now. (Campbell Brown, Jim Wright's great-granddaughter, and Jim Wright's great-grandchildren) Miss Brown: Hi, my name is Campbell Brown. Everyone on stage with me is a great-grandchild of Jim Wright or, as we like to call him, ``Great Pop.'' None of us were born when he was in Congress, but we all knew his love for this great country, especially Fort Worth. We are told by many people that he often said, ``I want to make the world a better place for my children, their children, and their children's children.'' Well, that's us. Next to me are the children of the grandchildren. We are the next generation. We would like to ask you to honor our Great Pop for the rest of the day by thinking about how you can make the world a better place. As you walk out of the church and for the rest of today, think about peace, not war; think about abundance, not scarcity; think about love, not hate, and hope, not despair. Please help us lift Great Pop to his next roll call by singing the final hymn. Thank y'all for coming today. Congregational Hymn--``When the Roll is Called Up Yonder'' Recessional--``For All the Saints''

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize my friend, Ms. Joyce Garver Keller, on her retirement. For 25 years, Joyce has stood as a faithful advocate and a strong voice for justice. As the Executive Director of Ohio Jewish Communities, she has led the way in providing elected officials guidance on the most important issues impacting the Jewish organizations and congregations in Ohio and across the country. I am glad to call Joyce my friend and I am glad she was one of the many in attendance of what she described as ``an extraordinary moment in history,'' during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress this year. Joyce, thank you for all your work. You will be missed in the halls of the Congress but your drive and unwavering dedication will have a lasting impact that will continue to resonate here and in Ohio. I wish you the very best as you begin your next chapter. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, I proudly recognize Ms. Joyce Garver Keller for 25 years of service with the Ohio Jewish Communities.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania for yielding. Let me say a big thank you to Chairman Upton, Chairman Ryan, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Levin, and their staffs for all of the work that has gone into this product. Also, I want to thank Wendell Primus with Leader Pelosi's staff; Charlene MacDonald with Mr. Hoyer's staff; and, of course, Charlotte Ivancic on my team, all who have worked together to create this product that we have today. Thanks to their hard work and the work of this House, we expect to end the so-called doc fix once and for all. Many of you know that we have patched this problem 17 times over the last 11 years, and I decided about a year ago that I had had enough of it. In its place, we will deliver for the American people the first real entitlement reform in nearly two decades. I think this is good news for America's seniors, who will benefit from a more stable and reliable system for seeing their doctor. It is good news for hard-working families who will benefit from a stronger Medicare program to help care for their elderly parents. It is good news for the taxpayers who, according to the CBO and a number of other fiscal experts, will save money now and well into the future. That means it is especially good news for our kids and grandkids, because today it is about a problem much bigger than any doc fix or any deadline. It is about beginning the process of solving our spending problem, and it is about strengthening and saving Medicare, which is at the heart of that problem. Normally, we would be here to admit that we are just going to kick the can down the road one more time. But today, because of what we are doing here, we are going to save money 20, 30, and 40 years down the road. Not only that, we are strengthening Medicare's ability to fight fraud, waste, and abuse. As was mentioned earlier, this bill also extends the Children's Health Insurance Program for another 2 years and extends the authorization for community health centers for another 2 years. My colleagues, this is what we can accomplish when we are focused on finding common ground. But we can't become complacent. We know more serious entitlement reform is needed. It shouldn't take another two decades to do it, and, frankly, I don't think we have got that much time. But I am here today to urge all of our Members to begin that process, and the process begins by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2 today.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lakota West Girls Basketball team in West Chester, Ohio. On March 21, 2015, the Firebirds became the 2015 OHSAA Division I State Basketball Champions, defeating the Toledo Notre Dame Eagles 44- 38. I commend all 14 members of the 2015 Firebird team for their hard- fought journey to capture the school's first women's basketball state title and the team's 21st consecutive victory, setting a new Lakota school district record. A special congratulations goes to Lakota West's coach, Andy Fishman. Coach Fishman joined Lakota West as head coach when the school first opened in 1997. Thank you Coach Fishman for your dedication to the remarkable athletes of Lakota West and for your leadership to develop a top-notch program, that is now the best in the state. With my friends and neighbors in West Chester and on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I applaud our Lady Firebirds and the community of Lakota West for their well-deserved victory.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Let me thank my colleague for yielding, and let me thank all of my colleagues who have worked to put this bill together. Madam Chair, today, I rise--and the House rises--to support and defend our Constitution. We do not take this action lightly; but, simply, there is no alternative. This is not a dispute between the parties or even between the branches of our government. This executive overreach is an affront to the rule of law and to the Constitution itself. I appreciate all of the efforts of those working to fix our broken immigration system, especially since I am one of them. What we are dealing with is a President who has ignored the people, who has ignored the Constitution, and even his own past statements. In fact, on at least 22 occasions, he said he did not have the authority to do what he has done. Before he became President, on March 31, 2008, the President said: ``I take the Constitution very seriously. The biggest problems that we're facing right now have to do with the President trying to . . . not go through Congress at all, and that's what I intend to reverse when I'm President.'' On May 19, 2008, the President said, ``I believe in the Constitution, and I will obey the Constitution of the United States.'' After he was President, on May 5, 2010, the President said, ``Anybody who tells you . . . that I can wave a magic wand and make it happen hasn't been paying attention to how this town works.'' On July 1, 2010, the President said: ``There are those . . . who have argued passionately that we should . . . at least ignore the laws on the books . . . I believe such an indiscriminate approach would be both unwise and unfair.'' On October 14, 2010, the President said: ``I do have an obligation to make sure that I am following some of the rules. I can't simply ignore laws that are out there.'' On October 25, 2010, the President said: ``I am President. I am not king. I can't do these things just by myself. . . . I can't just make the laws up by myself.'' On March 28, 2011, the President said: ``America is a nation of laws, which means I, as the President, am obligated to enforce the law.'' On April 20, 2011, the President said: ``I can't solve this problem by myself. . . . I can't do it by myself.'' On April 29, 2011, the President said: ``Some here wish that I could just bypass Congress and change the law myself. But that's not how democracy works.'' On May 10, 2011, the President said: ``They wish I could just bypass Congress and change the law myself. But that's not how a democracy works.'' On July 25, 2011, the President said: ``The idea of doing things on my own is very tempting. . . . But that's not how our system works. That's not how our democracy functions. That's not how our Constitution is written.'' On September 28, 2011, the President said: ``We live in a democracy. You have to pass bills through the legislature, and then I can sign it.'' On September 20, 2012, the President said: ``What I've always said is, as the head of the executive branch, there's a limit to what I can do.'' On October 16, 2012, the President said: ``We're . . . a nation of laws. . . . And I've done everything that I can on my own.'' On January 30, 2013, the President said: ``I'm not a king. I am the head of the executive branch of government. I'm required to follow the law.'' On January 30, 2013, the President also said: ``I'm not a king. You know, my job as the head of the executive branch ultimately is to carry out the law.'' On February 14, 2013, the President said: ``The problem is that I'm the President of the United States. I'm not the emperor of the United States.'' On July 16, 2013, the President said: ``I think that it is very important for us to recognize that the way to solve this problem has to be legislative.'' On September 17, 2013, the President said: ``My job in the executive branch is supposed to be to carry out the laws that are passed. . . . But if we start broadening that, then essentially I would be ignoring the law.'' On November 25, 2013, the President said: ``The easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws. . . . That's not our tradition.'' On March 6, 2014, the President said: ``And I cannot ignore those laws any more than I could ignore . . . any of the other laws that are on the books.'' And on August 6, 2014, the President said: ``I'm bound by the Constitution; I'm bound by separation of powers.'' To think that the President of the United States actually studied constitutional law is one thing. But he didn't just learn constitutional law, he taught it as well. But now his actions suggest that he has forgotten what these words even mean. Enough is enough. By their votes last November, the people made clear that they wanted more accountability from this President; and by our votes here today, we will heed their will, and we will keep our oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, since 1983, the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag and Bundesrat have conducted an annual exchange program for staff members from both countries. The program gives professional staff the opportunity to observe and learn about each other's political institutions and interact on issues of mutual interest. A staff delegation from the U.S. Congress will be selected to visit Germany for ten days from Friday, June 26-Sunday, July 5, 2015. During this ten day exchange, the delegation will attend meetings with Bundestag/Bundesrat Members, Bundestag and Bundesrat party staff members, and representatives of numerous political, business, academic, and media agencies. A comparable delegation of German staff members will visit the United States for ten days Saturday, May 9-Sunday, May 17, 2015. They will attend similar meetings here in Washington. The U.S. delegation is expected to organize and facilitate these meetings. The Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Exchange is highly regarded in Germany and the United States, and is one of several exchange programs sponsored by public and private institutions in the United States and Germany to foster better understanding of the politics and policies of both countries. This exchange is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The U.S. delegation should consist of experienced and accomplished Hill staff who can contribute to the success of the exchange on both sides of the Atlantic. The Bundestag reciprocates by sending senior staff professionals to the United States. Applicants should have a demonstrable interest in events in Europe. Applicants need not be working in the field of foreign affairs, although such a background can be helpful. The composite U.S. delegation should exhibit a range of expertise in issues of mutual concern to the United States and Germany such as, but not limited to, trade, security, the environment, economic development, health care, and other social policy issues. This year's delegation should be familiar with transatlantic relations within the context of recent world events. In addition, U.S. participants are expected to plan and implement the program for the Bundestag/Bundesrat staff members when they visit the United States. Participants are selected by a committee composed of personnel from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State and past participants of the exchange. Members of the House and Senate who would like a member of their staff to apply for participation in this year's program should direct them to submit a resume and cover letter in which they state their qualifications, the contributions they can make to a successful program and some assurances of their ability to participate during the time stated. Applications should be sent to the Office of Interparliamentary Affairs, HC-4, the Capitol, by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2015.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. ``We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.''

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Thank you. Friends, colleagues, countrymen, and especially the people of Ohio's Eighth Congressional District, thank you for sending me here. Let us today welcome all of the new Members and all of their families to what we all know to be a truly historic day. As we welcome all of the Members back who were reelected, we want to welcome your families as well, and I want to thank my family. I was doing pretty well on the walk over here from my ceremonial office until I ran into Devin Nunes' three little girls--my three biggest fans--and one of them came running over and gave me a kiss, and I was a mess. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad. We rejoice that our new Members and families are here. We welcome them. We are glad and humbled to begin anew as servants of the people's House. Here, it is our duty and our privilege to lend a willing ear to the people, to make laws in tune with their priorities and within the limits of their Constitution. In recent months, our economy has shown signs of improvement, and after difficult years, it may be a temptation to accept what I will call the new normal. But America did not become exceptional by ease. Far too many Americans remain out of work, and too many are working harder only to lose ground to stagnant wages and rising costs. We can do better. We can build an economy that furthers better-paying jobs, more growth, and more opportunity for the Nation's middle class. This is our vital task. We will begin this endeavor on common ground, both in letter and in spirit. It was actually my predecessor, Nicholas Longworth of Cincinnati, who changed the order of things so that all Members now take the oath of office at the same time. He called this innovation a timesaving device. He sounds like my kind of guy. But this shared ritual is no passing formality. It is a frontier where words end and where deeds begin. The pessimists don't see us crossing this channel. They say nothing is going to be accomplished here, that division is wider than ever and so gridlock will be even greater. Frankly, fair enough. Skepticism of our government is healthy and, in our time, quite understandable. But one problem with saying it can't be done is that it already has been done--or at least started. In the last Congress, this House passed a number of jobs bills with broad support from the majority and the minority, and we will begin our work on this common ground, taking up measures to develop North American energy, restore the hours of middle class workers, and help small businesses hire more of our veterans. We invite the President to support and sign these bipartisan initiatives into law. It will be a good start; and more, it will be a sign that the logjam is breaking, and it will be a foundation on which to address the bigger challenges in the pursuit of freedom and security. No, this won't be done in a tidy way. The battle of ideas never ends and, frankly, never should. As Speaker, all I ask--and, frankly, expect--is that we disagree without being disagreeable. In return, I pledge to help each of you carry out your duties. My door, of course, is always open. Now don't get carried away with it--all right?--but it is always open. My colleagues, some things we do here will be characterized as shadowboxing and show business, but let me tell you and the American people, it is real work. It is a grind, as it should be, in striving to preserve the things that we all hold dear. Every day, you and I come out here, try to plant good seeds, cultivate the ground, and take care of the pests; and then, with patience and some sacrifice and God's grace, there will be a harvest. Along the way, we may falter, but we Americans do not fall away from the task. We do not quit. So let's stand tall and prove the skeptics wrong. Let's make this a time of harvest, and may the fruits of our labors be ladders our children can use to climb the stairs to the stars. Thank you all, and God bless the United States of America. I am now ready to take the oath of office. I ask the Dean of the House of Representatives, the Honorable John Conyers of Michigan, to administer the oath of office. Mr. Conyers then administered the oath of office to Mr. Boehner of Ohio, as follows: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God. (Applause, the Members rising.)

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following memoranda of understanding. Memorandum of Understanding On January 6, 2015, the House agreed to H. Res. 5, establishing the rules of the House for the 114th Congress. Section 2(a)(2)(A) of H. Res. 5 contained a provision adding `` criminalization'' to the jurisdictional statement of the Committee on the Judiciary. The Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Agriculture jointly acknowledge as the authoritative source of legislative history concerning section 2(a)(2)(A) of H. Res. 5 the description printed in the Congressional Record and submitted by Rules Committee Chair Pete Sessions. By this memorandum, the committees record their further mutual understandings by providing the following example, which will supplement the statement cited above. In general, this change is not intended to cover measures that make changes to a regulatory or revenue collection scheme without making changes to the specific conduct that triggers a criminal penalty that is part of the enforcement regime. For instance, where a statute prohibits unauthorized movement of certain prohibited plants or animals without the proper permit and imposes a criminal sanction for a violation of the permit, a measure which simply makes changes to the permitting process would not fall within the scope of this rules change, even in the case where a criminal penalty applies broadly to the statute in question. It is the conduct of moving the prohibited item, not the permitting process, which gives rise to the Committee on the Judiciary's jurisdictional interest. This example is intended to be merely illustrative rather than exclusive or exhaustive. Nothing in this memorandum precludes a further agreement between the committees with regard to the implementation of this provision. Bob Goodlatte, Chair, Committee on the Judiciary. K. Michael Conaway, Chair, Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joe W. Strickland, the Chief Reporter of Debates, for his contributions to the House of Representatives during almost 22 years of service. The House has employed Official Reporters of Debates since 1873, when the Speaker of the House took control of the privately-run Congressional Globe and the verbatim proceedings of events were published as the Congressional Record--as they still are today. It was a five-man operation back then, and the Reporters were praised in the New York Tribune for their ``intimate knowledge of the precedents and practice of the House, and of the national events, great and small, which have passed in close review before their eyes.'' Joe follows in that long tradition, noted in the Tribune, of ``superior ability'' and ``efficiency,'' though the office is now under the supervision of the Clerk of the House and has grown to 43 people. Joe has worked diligently to achieve the daunting task of maintaining an accurate record not only of House Floor proceedings but of House Committee work, as well. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, he has been front and center, reporting seven State of the Union speeches and several Joint Meetings to receive messages from foreign heads of state, such as Afghan President Hamid Karzai and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Joe was born in central Texas and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene with a degree in music. A tenor, he regularly toured with an all-male quartet and performed at conventions and competitions from Moscow to Washington, DC, including engagements at the White House. After college, Joe co-owned a travel and tour company and pursued several other passions before turning his sights on court reporting. Joe attended court reporting school outside of Dallas, and he quickly earned a position as a real-time captionist for a television station. A mere three years later, his skills won him a place as an Official Reporter of Debates for the U.S. House of Representatives, reporting both Committee and Floor debates. The Clerk of the House promoted Joe to Deputy Chief of the office in 2000, and he became Chief Reporter of Debates in 2005. Joe is recognized by the National Court Reporters Association as a Registered Professional Reporter, a Certified Realtime Reporter, and a Certified Communication Access Realtime Translation provider-- qualifications that place him among the elite in court reporting. Mr. Speaker, the work of the Official Reporters of Debates has been an essential part of House operations for more than 140 years, and while the technology has changed, the dedication of the Reporters, like Joe, has not. We are sad to lose such a valuable member of the House Clerk's team, but we wish him and his family the very best during a long and happy retirement.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant, David M. Schnittger of the Commonwealth of Virginia. David will be leaving the Office of the Speaker shortly after two decades of distinguished service to the people's House. He has performed his duties with unparalleled skill and devotion. I am honored to have this opportunity to record his service for posterity. Like me, David was born and raised in Southwest Ohio and graduated from Archbishop Moeller High School. He volunteered on my first campaign for Congress in 1990 while he was attending the University of Dayton, where he graduated with a degree in economics and political science. Since officially becoming a member of my staff in 1994, David has served as both press secretary and chief of staff for my office serving Ohio's Eighth District. In addition, he served as communications director for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce during my tenure as chairman. Since 2006, he has served as deputy chief of staff in the Office of the Majority Leader, Office of the Minority Leader, and Office of the Speaker. As one of my most trusted advisers, he has overseen communications, speechwriting, outreach, and special events operations. This biography, while impressive, does not do justice to the sheer breadth of David's contributions. It is not enough to say he enjoys the respect and admiration of his colleagues. He has inspired generations of staff who will always cherish his wisdom and strive to emulate his example of loyalty and integrity to the last. He has served as the beating heart of this operation he helped build. These are irreplaceable things. On behalf of the people's House--and on behalf of Boehnerland, from West Chester to Springfield to Troy to Washington, DC--I thank David for his service. I send our love to his wife Stephanie, and their five beautiful children: Ella, Kayla, Julia, Andrew, and Cecilia. This House, especially this Speaker, owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the Schnittger family.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a very special person to our local area, Carl Lindner, as the city of Cincinnati recently moved to adorn one of its downtown streets with Mr. Lindner's name. Mr. Lindner spent a lifetime making the Queen City the best place on earth to live and raise a family. I cannot think of a better place to honor him than on the streets of the city he loved and worked so hard to make better for us and for our children. He was a wonderful man, and, more importantly, a good friend to so many of us. It's for these reasons that our community is so very grateful, and I ask all Members of the House to join me as we celebrate Carl Lindner's legacy.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. I thank my colleague for yielding. Let me add my words of congratulations to our good friend from Michigan, John Dingell, who has been a mentor to Members on both sides of the aisle and has carried more institutional history than anyone here. My job tonight is to say thank you and merry Christmas.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, the intent of Division N, Section 101 is to establish separate limits for funds raised into separate, segregated accounts established by national political party committees for certain specified purposes. All of these funds are ``hard money'' subject to all of the source limitations, prohibitions, and disclosure provisions of the Act. The first account, described in section 315(a)(9)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (``FECA'') (as amended), is intended to allow a national committee of a political party (other than a national congressional campaign committee) to defray expenses related to a presidential nominating convention using funds raised under separate, increased limits. Section 315(a)(9)(A) also caps the aggregate amount of expenditures a national political party committee may make from such account with respect to any convention at $20,000,000. This section is intended to provide national political party committees with a means of acquiring additional resources to be used specifically in connection with the funding of presidential nominating conventions because such conventions may no longer be paid for with public funds. It is the intent to allow these funds to be used in the same manner as the former public funds could have been used, as well as to pay for the costs of fundraising for this segregated account. The second account, described in section 315(a)(9)(B) of FECA (as amended), is intended to permit a national committee of a political party (including a national congressional campaign committee of a political party) to defray expenses incurred with respect to the construction, purchase, renovation, operation and furnishing of party headquarters buildings located throughout the United States, including the cost of fundraising for this segregated account, using funds raised under separate, increased limits. Funds in these accounts also may be used to repay loans and other obligations incurred for the purpose of defraying such building expenses, including loans and obligations incurred two years before the date of the enactment of this Act. The third account, described in section 315(a)(9)(C) of FECA (as amended), is intended to permit a national committee of a political party (including a national congressional campaign committee of a political party) to defray expenses incurred with respect to the preparation for and the conduct of election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings, including the costs of fundraising for this segregated account, using funds raised under a separate limit Section 101 of Division N is not intended to modify Federal Election Commission precedent permitting the raising and spending of funds by campaign or state or national party committees. See FEC Advisory Opinions 2006-24, 2009-4. Section 101 is also intended to permit the national parties to use such funds for costs, fees, and disbursements associated with other legal proceedings. Finally, under current law coordinated limits do not apply even absent these provisions to the existing accounts as described in section 315 of FECA and therefore it is the intent of the amendments contained herein that expenditures made from the accounts described in section 315(a)(9) of FECA, many of which (such as recount and legal proceeding expenses) are not for the purpose of influencing federal elections, do not count against the coordinated party expenditure limits described in section 315(d) of FECA.

Mr. BOEHNER

Mr. BOEHNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Iowa, Mr. Latham. I know my colleagues will agree that his retirement is a loss for the House and his constituents. Ten times beginning in 1994, the people of Iowa had the wisdom to send a good man to Washington. He brought with him true and much-needed Iowa values, fighting the good fight for individual liberty, fiscal responsibility, and economic opportunity. His work on the Appropriations Committee for first responders, the Iowa National Guard, agriculture, and education will long outlast him-- a legacy of leadership many aspire to, but few truly achieve. In addition, as the House is well-aware, Mr. Latham is my best friend. This, like all his other duties, he has handled with grace and good humor. On behalf of the House, I thank Mr. Latham for his service and wish him and his wife, Kathy, all the best.