Date: 2012-07-10
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you so much. Madam president. Madam Chair. Wow. all on one plaque. Thats impressive. I also. Madam President. have additional letters that were sent to my office for the book. So Im the repository going forward. and so I will make sure that we add to this for Gabby. Good morning. and thank you. Congressman Kolbe. for that warm introduction and for all of you for being here. It really is a privilege to address such a distinguished group. one that I hope to not join for quite awhile. but that Im really glad exists and exists in a bipartisan way. because it is important to note. especially given the struggles that were going through right now to come together and work together. that there isnt a Republican Former Members of Congress Association or a Democratic Former Members of Congress Association. There is one united association. We are all Americans. and we should all work hard to work together. I also want to acknowledge the presence of Gabbys former chairman of the Armed Services Committee. my former colleague. Ike Skelton from Missouri. It is wonderful to be with you. There really is no one more suited to receive your associations highest award. the Distinguished Service Award. than my dear friend. Gabby Giffords. Gabby. as has already been said. but cant be oft repeated. has always led by example. as an incredible public servant. woman. and friend. Gabby was the third woman in Arizonas history to be elected to serve in the U.S. House. Gabby worked tirelessly over the years to represent not only Arizonans. military families. and veterans. but all Americans. Here in Congress. we all came to recognize that bright smile of Gabbys which people so often refer to when theyre talking about her. as she reached across party lines to forge bipartisan solutions to our Nations problems. In doing so. she has inspired so many people with her strength in the wake of unimaginable tragedy and heartbreak. For more than a year. shes been working hard every day to get back to full strength. And Gabby never does anything halfway. and her service in Congress. as well as her recovery. is no exception. Im so proud of my friend for her commitment to her constituents. to her work ethic and her perseverance. It will always be one of the great treasures of my life to have met Gabby Giffords. to have served with her in Congress. but especially to share our special friendship. She has always been an inspiration to me. and seeing her become an inspiration to the entire world warms my heart. Im sure. as much as it warms yours. I know that you all believe. as Gabby does. that our country must be strong enough to come together to solve the challenges before us. Compared to the obstacles that Gabby has overcome in the past year. surely this is an attainable goal. We must recommit ourselves to working together to fulfill the promises of our democracy and a commitment to making America stronger so that everyone can fulfill their American Dream. And this association really is the epitome. the example. You could lead by example and be the catalyst and help us forge the way toward compromise. toward working together. So many of you. looking across the Chamber. have served in the time when relationships were much tighter. when the fabric interwoven between the two parties was really thicker. and we could learn from your experience. I would urge you and encourage you to reach out to the leadership of both parties in the Congress and try to help us because we are going to have a better Nation if we work together. I know it is possible. Even from the political position that I hold in addition to my service in Congress. I know that it is possible. I know there are committed Members on both sides of the aisle because I work with them every day. So I would urge you to extend your involvement in the political and public policy process and help us make things work and get things done. So on behalf of Gabby and her husband Mark Kelly. thank you for recognizing her today. I know it means a great deal to both of them. Thank you so much.