Leonard L. Boswell

Thank you, Congressman Latham.

This is the first day we've actually talked, except for election night when I called to say congratulations. Our little conversation we had a few moments ago before this started was kindly, and I think I appreciated you coming to me and saying what you did in this event that took place last November. So I wish you well, and I appreciate the cordial treatment you have given me today.

Some suggest to me, You may not want to do this; he was your opponent. I said, No. We're from Iowa. We don't do things like that. That's protocol. You made me proud today, and I thank you for it.

I've said this on other occasions, as you've heard me, I have a regret. I'm sorry my mother couldn't have heard this discussion today.

I owe a lot of appreciation to those of you left in the room. I realize most people had to flee for the airport, as we normally all do. Thank you for staying and doing this.

I do want to pay tribute to my wife, Dody. I think she's probably watching.

Sweetheart, I hope you have enjoyed this, as well as my children-- Terri, Diana, Cindy, and Joe--and their families and many friends. I hadn't planned on this all coming to this kind of a closure, but it's caused me to reflect back over life, and I feel very blessed.

Tom, you heard it too many times. I started out in a tented farmhouse. You did hear that a time or two, I'm sure, in days past. But look what I've gotten to do, as you've heard about here today, when we talk about the American Dream and the opportunities that exist in America. It's been very rewarding to me. I can't say enough about that, but enough has been probably said.

I realize as I reflect back on what's happened over the last years that I couldn't have done it without the help of great staff. And some names--I shouldn't do this--but just to hit a few of them. A gentleman named John Norris--I think you knew him, Tom, at one time--we started out together. He's on the FERC Board now, and doing a good job.

I think back over many others. Sandy Carter, you're probably watching over there in our cube. Sandy, thank you for your service and your dedication to the people of Iowa in the Third District. I could go on and on. Back in Iowa, there's Jay Byers, Sally Bowzer, Grant Woodard, and all the rest. Frequently, I would stand before a group and invite Ted Tran to come and stand with me as a surrogate son from Vung Tau, Vietnam. He was one of those refugees, and what he went through to get to be an American and have the American Dream is very special. So the list is long, and I will stop. It's getting long for some of you. I know you've got travels to do.

But those here in the room, Bruce, thank you for your attributes. Jim Nussle, it's great to see you again. Tim, thank you for your remarks and the service we've had together. Tom, I wish you continued success. I know that you'll give your heart to what you believe in for our State. We both kind of come from the soil, really. That's probably a good thing.

So with that, I want to say a fond farewell. I will continue to respond to our constituents until we finally close this down, if no sooner, at least by the 2nd of January, when we change from the 112th to the 113th.

I'll just say it's been my pleasure and my good fortune to live this much of my life in the United States of America and to serve our country. It's the right thing to do. We've got lots on our plate, but we can do this because that's who we are. We can, and I'm sure we will.

Thank you and God Bless.

Mr. Speaker, today is Thursday, September 20. And tomorrow, I understand, the House is set to adjourn until after the election. Tomorrow, the House is set to leave town without finishing the work that the American people sent us here to do.

Now, I have no objection to increasing domestic energy production, and I think an all-of-the-above approach is a rational approach to take. However, I rise against this rule. I rise in opposition to this rule because two amendments that I had offered to the bill were not made in order by the Rules Committee. The amendments I offered were on substantive policy that my constituents are calling for, and I am here to stand up for and represent my constituents in Iowa--and, I might add, across the Nation.

One amendment would extend the wind production tax credit. Wind energy plays a significant role in electricity generation in the State of Iowa and many other States--for us about 20 percent--and the manufacturing of wind turbine components in Iowa has brought high-tech manufacturing jobs to my district. The fact that the House is set to adjourn until after the election while this industry is being forced to lay off workers because of Congress' inaction is shameful. It's something we should not do. Yesterday, it was announced we would be laying off 400, and more to come.

Another amendment I offered would have allowed the House to finally vote on a farm bill. But once again the Republican leadership of the House stopped the House from voting on a farm bill. Let me say that again: The House Republican leadership is preventing this House from working its will on a farm bill.

Mr. Speaker, apparently some House Republicans believe standing up for our farmers and ranchers across the country is not worthy of this House. This is a disgrace. Inaction on a farm bill is creating the market uncertainty that the House Republicans so often decry, and this uncertainty will only get more complicated as the House continues to kick the can down the road.

So, once again, I rise in opposition to this rule. And I call on my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that we can amend the rule and proceed to a debate that will result in the House actually doing the work our constituents sent us here to do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great colleague, a wonderful Member of this House, and a very dear friend, Congressman Jerry Costello.

I have had the great privilege of serving with Jerry Costello on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since I've been in Congress. Over the years, I have learned so much from Jerry and have enjoyed our partnership on the Committee.

During his twenty-four years in Congress, Jerry has been a passionate advocate for his constituents and improving the transportation infrastructure in the Illinois 12th Congressional District. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, he has been a tireless champion of general aviation and modernizing our aviation system. His effective leadership and extensive knowledge of these issues have led to countless infrastructure improvements in his district and state.

Jerry's commitment to service extended beyond Illinois. When visiting my home state of Iowa, Jerry took the time to meet with some of my constituents to understand the transportation needs of our state and see how potential investments would affect our communities. He took the concerns of Iowans as seriously as those of his own constituents and made certain that these concerns were addressed in Washington.

I will greatly miss working with him, but I wish him and his family my very best wishes for a very bright future.