Diane E. Watson

Mr. Speaker, I take great honor in coming and saluting Ambassador Holbrooke. He was a person that we can all be proud of, because among ambassadors, he stood above them head and shoulders and represented the will and the morality of our country around this globe.

Being a member of that elite corps is something that will always remain deep in my heart and my mind that I had the privilege of serving 2 years as an ambassador myself. And during the 6 weeks of training that we had, Ambassador Holbrooke was always held as the standard by which we performed our duties for the United States of America.

I offer my condolences to his family and his broad global family from the State of California. I'm very proud to have served with him in that department. It was a short period of time, but oh, what an experience. May God bless the family, and I know he's up there presiding over all of the matters that will affect our countries and bring peace. God bless.

Madam Speaker, I offer my thanks to Barbara Lee, who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and I want to read to you something I will leave to every Member and staff of this House:

``A happy wish for you to receive only the best that this season offers! I thank you for making my experience here one of learning, training, and developing legislative solutions. My motto is `lift as you climb,' so that is why I am so pleased that California Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass will take my place. So, with that said, I appreciate knowing you.''

I want you to know how privileged I have felt serving in this House. As I conclude my 10th year, I go back to Los Angeles to see if I can find another job. I always said that, you know, I can't keep a job.

As you heard, I started out teaching school, and I became a school psychologist. That was the most important work I could do because I was able to analyze with the young people what it

took to give them a quality education and improve their behavior for improving their lives.

Then serving in the California Senate for 20 years and chairing the Health and Human Services Committee, I could guide and fashion legislation that would benefit all Californians.

Then to be able to represent the United States of America abroad was one of the highlights of my life, never thinking that I could rise to that level, but it happened. And then crowning my public service, serving here in this House.

I want to thank my colleagues, I want to thank the staff, and I want to thank my friends for the privilege you have given me. And I would say to you, so long for now. Hope to see you again next year.

Madam Speaker, the tax proposal announced by the President further defines the sharp differences in the policies and priorities of Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats are fighting for the needs of the middle class and for provisions that creates jobs and expands economic opportunities. Republicans are demanding tax breaks for the wealthy.

Democrats continue to fight to maintain tax cuts on income up to $250,000. Republicans continue to demand tax cuts on all incomes.

Democrats made a priority of extending unemployment benefits to help out-of-work Americans make it through the recession. Republicans were willing to hold the middle class and the unemployed hostage to benefit the wealthy.

Democrats will continue to fight for the economic priorities of middle class Americans, to create jobs, and to grow the economy. These are the principles that define the contrast between the Republicans and Democrats.