| Republican Freshman Perspective |
June 4, 2009 |
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Erik Paulsen, R-MN
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"I thank the gentlelady for yielding. One of the biggest surprises and frustrations that I have noticed is that it’s been a little bit more partisan than I ever thought it would be; and I can say that, having served in both the majority and the minority in the Minnesota State legislature; and I was majority leader for awhile. I think a lot of being a successful legislator and making yourself a successful State, and now a successful country, is being able to build relationships to get things done and be results-oriented. In the Minnesota Legislature we were always allowed to offer an amendment to a bill as long as it was germane, just as you were mentioning a little while ago. But here in Congress we have to get permission to offer an amendment from the Chair of the Rules Committee or from the Speaker of the House. So it’s a very closed process, and it’s not an open flowing process where I think it’s easier to breed partisanship. I think if the rank-and-file Members, both Republican and Democrat, can get together to kind of break the grips of that leadership power, I think we could really do great things for the American people."
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| Reception Of Former Members Of Congress |
April 17, 2008 |
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Steny Hoyer, D-MD
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"Unfortunately, as all of you know through the years now, the aisle has become more a wall than an aisle. A division has grown. I lament, I really do, Bob Michel’s loss from the House and from the country’s service in this body—he still serves our country as all of you do as well—because he was, with Tip O’Neill, two unifying leaders who tried to bring us together, not agreeing necessarily but disagree in a sense of trying to get together to solve problems with our different perspectives being involved. As all of you know, I have a deep affection for Bob Michel for that reason. But I always come here—before I was majority leader I came here—because I want to thank all of you for the service you have given to our country, the friendship you have given to me and so many others in this body."
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| Recognition Of The Minority Leader |
December 18, 2007 |
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Trent Lott, R-MS
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"When you enter my son’s home in Kentucky, on the wall, framed, is a tribute he gave to my first grandchild—a grandson—the week he was born. I was majority leader and came on the floor that Friday, and he asked me if I would be around for a few minutes; he had something he would like to say. It was truly one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard in my life. Maybe it was because I thought my grandson was the most beautiful I had ever seen, but it was so magnificent, and he ended with a quote of how a grandfather wants his grandson to remember him. So it hangs there in a place of great pride. “Chester Trent Lott, III” is the title."
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| Apologizing To Lynching Victims And Their Descendants |
June 13, 2005 |
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Trent Lott, R-MS
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"Mr. Griffith served as Senate Legal Counsel while I was majority leader, and I found him to be intelligent, honorable, and supremely qualified for this position on the Federal bench. As Senate Legal Counsel, he represented the Senate, its committees, Members, officers, and employees in litigation relating to their constitutional powers and privileges; advised committees about their investigatory powers and procedures; and represented the institutional interests of the Senate with honor."
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