Earl Blumenauer

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor for the last time I will address this Chamber after 28 years in Congress.

My goal as a Member of Congress was to leave this place a little better than I found it, and I am proud of what we have done. There are things that you are not going to see on FOX or MSNBC News, Mr. Speaker, and it is not going to rocket around the internet, but they are simple, commonsense efforts to bring people together to solve problems.

At the beginning of each Congress for the last dozen years, I have given each new Member, hand-delivered, my thoughts about what they need to know to be able to navigate these strange waters in Congress.

Together, we have been able to achieve some interesting things, as I say, items you don't see in the news necessarily, Mr. Speaker, but that have made a huge difference.

I am proud of the work we have done with international water and sanitation that has resulted in millions of people having their lives saved and reducing the burdens on 140 million women who struggle to get water, often dirty water, for their families every day.

I am proud of the work I have done in terms of agriculture reform because it is past time that we stop subsidizing a diet that makes Americans sick.

I am proud of the work we did in the midst of the pandemic to create the Restaurant Rescue Plan: 100,000 grants that have resulted in many independent restaurants that were able to stay in business.

I am proud of the work we have done with transportation and infrastructure to rebuild and renew America. Instead of having infrastructure week be a joke, we are actually doing it.

I am proud of the work that I have done, for example, in terms of bicycling, symbolized by the bike lanes in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, making it easier for people to burn calories instead of fossil fuel and transform the face of our communities.

I am proud of the work that we have done dealing in terms of saving the lives of Iraqis and Afghans who put their trust in us when they were helping our people in those troubled countries. You don't have to believe in the wars, Mr. Speaker, I didn't, but I worked to make sure that the men and women who were the drivers, the guides, and the interpreters were not left to the tender mercies of al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Together we were able, with Senator McCain and Senator Kennedy, to pass a Special Immigrant Visa that has resulted in thousands of these people who worked with us to be able to live and, in many cases, to be able to seek safety in the United States.

As I say, these are not things that people necessarily see in the news or on the internet. They are not going to raise campaign money for their goals using them, but they are the things that make the difference.

I guess my last piece of advice that I leave to the people who are coming in the next Congress is to focus on things that bring people together rather than divide them and to look for ways to solve problems rather than to create new ones.

Over the course of the last 28 years, I have seen this formula work, and I hope in the new Congress people will employ it in ways that will make a difference.

Heaven knows we need to do it.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Butler's courtesy. It was my pleasure to sit next to Bill Pascrell for 16 years. We came to Congress at the same time. We entered the Ways and Means Committee at the same time, and he was right there every step of the way.

We have these special moments, learning more about our colleagues. Who knew that he had a master's degree in philosophy? You think about it, it is not unrealistic. I appreciated John Larson's three times a year celebrating the 10th anniversary of his 90th birthday, and the way that Bill took it in stride and brought people together. He was playing baseball well into his 60s with energy.

People talk sometimes about Bill being angry. I don't think so. It was passion. He carried a spark of passion for people he cared about, for issues he cared about--the unformed firefighters, police officers. He had deep concern for people who had suffered traumatic brain injury.

He had, obviously, special interests. We found out a lot about trade and Donald Trump, but he added a human dimension that is too often lacking here. I will cherish those memories sitting next to Bill.

Ben, those times when you couldn't quite contain him as he would reveal that passion and get things going, but it adds a dimension to this institution that at times is lacking, the human nature. I know the chairman has endless stories about his experience here.

Bill Pascrell is a chapter all by himself, and I feel privileged to have served with him and appreciate people coming together to reflect on his legacy and his memory. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the extraordinary heroism displayed by Timberline Lodge employees and first responders from Hoodland Fire, Clackamas Fire, Estacada Fire, Portland Fire, Gresham Fire and the United States Forest Service.

In the middle of the night on April 18, 2024, a fire was detected in the attic of the historic Timberline Lodge on Oregon's iconic Mount Hood. Lodge staff jumped into action with fire extinguishers and safely evacuated guests who were staying at the Lodge, many of whom were roused from their sleep to be escorted out. Fire crews from around the mountain arrived in record time to battle the blaze and protect Timberline Lodge, a national historic treasure.

Constructed in 1937, Timberline Lodge stands on the south slope of Mount Hood at an elevation of 6,000 feet. Iconic and awe-inspiring in its architecture and design, it is a tribute to the rugged spirit of the Pacific Northwest. The Lodge was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and is one of Oregon's most popular tourist attractions, drawing nearly two million visitors every year.

The quick thinking, bravery, and exemplary effort by both staff and first responders ensured that fire damage was limited to the attic and that all the guests made it out safely with no injuries reported. To think, we could've lost this national treasure if it wasn't for the courageous actions of a few brave souls. I am forever grateful for their response.