Recognizing Retiring U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Floor Speech

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Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding, and I thank Congresswoman Harshbarger for doing this for us and for Cathy.

Mr. Speaker, Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers exemplifies principled leadership. As chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, she has championed--you have heard about them--the policies that protect American families, secure energy independence, and foster innovation.

Her deep commitment to her faith, her family, and the cause of freedom has been a guiding light, and her presence will undoubtedly leave a void here in Washington.

I want to give you a personal insight from Randy Weber. She was the conference chair, I don't know, 4 years ago maybe, and she got some opposition when she was going to run for conference chair, from a woman. It was going to be a little tough. It was going to be a little tough on the Republican Conference, the Republican Members of Congress.

Cathy very graciously stepped down and said she would not run, which left the seat open for the lady that did get the Republican Conference chair. That just shows that she has grace and she cared more about the conference than she cared about herself.

Her deep commitment to her faith, her family, and the cause of freedom has been that kind of guiding light and undoubtedly is going to leave that void I talked about.

Under Cathy's leadership, I have watched this committee tackle critical issues from affordable energy to healthcare challenges, making our Nation stronger.

I was involved with about three Bible studies, and then I found out that Cathy McMorris Rodgers had one on Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. I said I am going to start going to that Bible study if she will let me. Unfortunately for her, she did. She let me in. I have watched her grow. I have watched her lead and pray for the Nation and pray for our friends on both sides of the aisle.

Cathy's dedication to America, Washington's Fifth District, and her colleagues, all I can say to them and to us is that we have walking among our midst--if you read the Bible, book of Proverbs, chapter 31, we have a virtuous woman.

Cathy, we are going to miss you in these Halls, but we are grateful that you were here. In the words of our Lord: Well done, thy good and faithful servant.

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