Serving in Congress Has Been the Honor of My Lifetime

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, Debbie Lesko, and her service to our country.

What a great Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I have to say I know that people should be excited that she is going to come back home and serve.

We are really disappointed that you are leaving because you are so good at what you do. As many speakers have said tonight, you are a fighter. You are absolutely conservative, and you are a fighter. You always bring people along with you. You can track people because you want to bring them into the fold and not try to fight everybody outside of the tent.

It has just been a pleasure working with you and your grasp of issues and the way you work before big hearings. You know Debbie is going to be prepared. You know Debbie is going to be there and is going to make things happen. It has just been a great privilege.

I remember when you said that you were running for county supervisor in Maricopa County, I first thought is--because I used to serve in the state legislature, and every legislative body in the country is so vital and so important--I couldn't help but think I first thought, you are going to leave the United States House of Representatives and serve in county government. It just shows that it is not a title to you. It is how you can best serve.

It just means a lot. I had friends of mine and others who say: Do you think I should run for this or the other? I'd say: You are doing a great job where you are. Every level of government is important.

I remember when Janice Hahn--I don't know if you remember when she was here--she left to go be on the L.A. Board of Supervisors. I said: You are leaving to go back to run for the county board? And she said that it is bigger than a congressional district. Yours probably is, as well, or close to it.

It is a great privilege to be here to know that I am with someone who is about service, not about her own title.

We are going to miss you. I am going to say that first and foremost, but we are also excited for you. We are excited for the people of Maricopa County because they are getting one heck of a fighter. They are getting one heck of a believer.

They are getting somebody that is going to give all their heart and soul. We are going to miss you here, but they are going to love you there, as they already do, but they are going to love having you home. God bless you. You are a dear friend.

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