Solomon P. Ortiz

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Co-Chair of the Romanian Caucus in the House of Representatives, to support the unanimous consent to Senate Resolution S. Con. Res. 67, which Senator George Voinovich introduced on June 30 of this year, to celebrate 130 years of U.S.-Romanian diplomatic relations, to congratulate the Romanian people of their achievements as a great nation, and to reaffirm the deep bonds of trust and values between the United States and Romania. This Resolution is concurrent with House Resolution H. Con. Res. 291 that I introduced on June 29 of this year.

In my five years of leadership of the Romanian Caucus I worked closely with Romanian officials and leaders, and witnessed their commitment to upholding and advancing the values of freedom, democracy and prosperity. Romania has been an extraordinary ally in NATO and a critical partner in the European Union, in addressing some of the most important challenges facing our transatlantic and global community-- from ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan, to nuclear proliferation, to energy security. Romania is a trusted ally and a strategic partner of the United States, with whom we have developed great cooperation on issues of common interest, including security, economic and political conditions in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Black Sea and Caucasus regions.

I am very proud of the Congress passing this Resolution, as it reflects and commends the many achievements of the U.S.-Romanian partnership and of the Romanian people. I thank all my colleagues who supported the Resolution and I urge Congress to continue to support cooperation between the United States and Romania, and to deepen the bonds of trust and friendship between our two countries.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest and most sincere appreciation to my colleagues of this Congress, and the constituents of South Texas, which has been part of my life while representing the 27th Congressional District of Texas for close to 28 years. I have had the distinct honor to serve as an elected official for the past 46 years, beginning at the ripe age of 27 as a County Constable, County Commissioner, County Sheriff, and finally as a Member of Congress.

I leave many great memories of my time in the Halls of Congress and in the U.S. House of Representatives. Those vivid memories of my arrival that cold winter day in Washington, shortly after the victorious election of 1982, will live on forever. I remember driving around the Capitol and through Washington, DC; the opportunity was great; the moment was there; I had been granted the chance to represent hundreds of thousands of constituents from Deep South Texas.

Today, as I retire from the distinguished House of Representatives, I reflect on the past with satisfaction as I look forward to the future with enthusiasm for the next chapter of what life has to offer. I will be spending well deserved time with my beautiful children--Solomon Jr. and Yvette--as well as my grandson, Oscar, and the rest of my family. I look forward to a much less hectic life. I must admit, I will miss my colleagues--both Democrats and Republicans--and will miss representing some of the most loving, caring, amazing and interesting people of Texas--the constituents of the 27th Congressional District of Texas.

To my friends, supporters and those who have been with me since I was first elected to office in 1964 at the age of 27, from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you for standing by me and with me through it all. Words cannot tell how much I appreciate the love and support you have shown me and my family over the years. Thank you for the good memories and endless accomplishments; thank you for your vote of confidence and for believing in me; thank you for your love and words of encouragement as I worked to be the voice for all the people of South Texas, including minorities, the middle class, poor, vulnerable, and less fortunate.

As I deliver these last few words in the House of Representatives, I am at ease and peace with myself, my family, my colleagues in Congress, my constituents, life and most importantly, I am at ease with God. I truly believe that through our work and significant contributions during my years of service in Congress, we leave South Texas better than before. A more vibrant, economic-friendly and socially developed South Texas. Through the work of local, county, state and federal officials we were able to accomplish great deeds.

Thousands of memories from experiences in my service remain part of the tapestry of my life and always will. I remember the votes on war . . . on economic justice. The battles for bases and 21st Century transportation in South Texas . . . fights and alliances with White House occupants . . . all I remember and savor--whether my side prevailed or not.

This is a great place--despite the shortcomings . . . despite the pettiness of our members from time to time, and despite the dangerous political climate created by those who turned cable news shows into political juggernauts. Democracy is by no means perfect . . . but it still beats all the alternatives.

I leave the national stage, certain of having done the right thing for those I represented. In the thousands of votes I cast in Congress for the 27th Congressional District of Texas, time and time again, I voted to make South Texas and this nation a better and stronger place.

I end my public service with an appropriate verse from Robert Frost's ``The Road Not Taken.''

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

It certainly has made all the difference.

I yield back my time, for the last time.

Mr. Chair, on rollcall Nos. 644, 645, and 646, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''