Speeches
Pelosi: Godspeed, Speaker Hastert
11/15/2007
“Thank you, my colleagues.
I accept that recognition as recognition of the role of Speaker of the
House. A role that Dennis Hastert
performed with great distinction and I rise to salute his leadership.
“Colleagues, you’ve heard me say on a number of occasions in
relationship to Dennis Hastert that in the Congress, as Members of Congress, we
hold the title ‘honorable’ by virtue of our office that we hold. But in the case of Dennis Hastert, he holds
the title of ‘honorable’ not just for the office he holds, but by virtue of his
character, his leadership and contributions to our country.
“About a year and a half ago in June, we all observed a
celebration for Speaker Dennis Hastert when he became the longest serving
Republican Speaker of the House. Long
may his record stand. That milestone was
a testimony to the great respect he commanded, not only in the Republican
Conference, but in this Congress as a whole and in our country. Thank you
Dennis Hastert for your record of achievement.
“I want to acknowledge someone in the role I once had,
Minority Leader, who is with us today and honors us with his presence and is,
again, a tribute to the leadership of Dennis Hastert, Leader Bob Michel.
“Many of you know but I think it bears repeating that Dennis
Hastert has long made a commitment to our country. First, as a teacher for 16 years of our
children, and a coach, as he reminds us.
“He then went on to the state legislature in
“Though we from time to time on occasion differed on issues,
we all agree on the importance of public service - the kind of public service
that has been the hallmark of Speaker Hastert’s career, whether in a classroom
or in the Congress of United States.
“Today I want to join my friend Dennis in saluting Jean for
sharing Dennis with us for all these years and for her role as a teammate to
him in his contributions to his country.
Congratulations to you, Jean. And
thanks to Joshua and Ethan, and to your entire family.
“Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for every Member of this House
when I thank you for many things that I could enumerate. I want to mention one in particular, which I
have mentioned to this House before. We
all were part of history when Rosa Parks became the first African American
woman to lie in state under the Capitol dome.
It was a great day for Congress and for our country. It simply would not have happened without the
leadership of Speaker Dennis Hastert.
Thank you.
“As you can imagine, it is always a pleasure for me to say I
know I speak for every Member of this House, but I know I do when I say thank
you for your leadership. Congratulations
on a great career. I know great things
are yet to come. Best wishes to you and
your family. Godspeed in your
future. God truly blessed