Date: 2012-09-12
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Thank you very much. Mr. LIPINSKI. for reserving this hour. And thank you. Mr. Speaker. for allowing me to speak in honor of a very cherished colleague and a dear friend in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman JERRY COSTELLO. after 24 years of dedicated service. is retiring. and that is a very tall order for me to accept because I have served with him on both of his major committees from the time I came to Congress 20 years ago. and he appears to be. starting this term. a part of a vanishing breed of people who came here to work across the aisles. When I think of JIMMY DUNCAN. when I think of Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. when I think of Ray LaHood. I think of the camaraderie that we have shared on the committees working together to get things done. And I look up and many of them are leaving. Its so unfortunate that were losing such a stellar example of the commitment needed to be an effective public servant. He began his public service at an early age. working in law enforcement while attending college. He has built his career on bipartisanship and dependability and has always kept the needs of his constituents and the American people foremost in his mind and close to his heart. Congressman COSTELLO is a devoted family man who treasures his wife. Georgia. and their three children and eight grandchildren. And I have shared with Georgia and Lynn. JIMMY DUNCANS wife. trips around the world where we became almost like family. His companion has given the Congressman a unique perspective. making him much more effective as a Member of Congress. I remember one time we went on a trip. and at the last minute. Georgia couldnt go and we ended up being seatmates all the way. And he said at the end. I enjoyed you being my seatmate. but youll never be Georgia. And he was right. Ive had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Congressman COSTELLO on both the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure. and Science. Space and Technology. As a matter of fact. I would not be ranking member had he chosen to use his seniority to become the ranking member of Science. Space and Technology. Hes an effective legislator and has shown an unwavering commitment to furthering scientific research and building our Nations infrastructure. Having served both as chairman and ranking member on the Aviation Subcommittee with Congressman PETRI from Wisconsin. just like two brothers. they have been guests in my district where we did work together on a very bipartisan basis to improve the safety and innovation of the aviation industry. Mr. Speaker. the bonds that we form with our fellow colleagues in Congress are unlike anything else. You become closer in friendship. and you begin to see people as individuals. This last 2 years. however. has not been the example that I lived with 18 years before that. Congressman COSTELLO and I developed. over the years. a very special relationship. The House of Representatives is losing a distinguished colleague and one of those from the old guard that we call the bipartisan focus on business people. I have immense respect for Congressman COSTELLO. and I will miss him dearly. I wish him well. and I wish his family the best in future endeavors. And I do hope that this is not the last of a vanishing breed of the persons who came here to work to get things done and not be so partisan. I really will miss the camaraderie that we shared with JIMMY DUNCAN. DON YOUNG. Ray LaHoodall the people who can see beyond partisanship.