[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2031-E2032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE GERALD SOLOMON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Massachusetts for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, when I get up in the morning, the first two things I do 
are to thank God for my life and thank veterans for my way of life. 
Because if it had not been for the sacrifices of the men and women who 
wore the uniform of the United States military through the years, I 
would not have the privilege--as a citizen of the United States--of 
going around bragging about how we live in the freest and most open 
democracy on the face of the earth. Freedom is not free. We have paid a 
tremendous price for it.
  I shall always be grateful to those who, like my brother Bill, made 
the supreme sacrifice. And to people like that man right there, Jerry 
Solomon, who served with distinction in the United States military and 
then came back to our home region in upstate New York, because a 
successful businessman, and--more importantly in my eyes--entered a 
career in public service. From his local government roles to his 
national leadership role today, he has rendered such outstanding 
service to us all.
  I have been in the United States Congress for half of Jerry Solomon's 
tenure. And what a privilege it has been, Jerry, over these past 10 
years, to serve with you, as a team. Together we have accomplished a 
great deal for the Capital Region of the State of New York, but I will 
not go into those items right now.
  One day on the House steps, I think I was in my first or second term, 
we were having pictures taken with our respective constituents. Jerry 
grabbed me and asked the photographer to take a picture of the two of 
us. He later inscribed that photo and sent it over to my office and it 
is on my office wall today--and it will stay there. It says, ``Mike--
thanks for being part of the one-two-punch for the Capital District.'' 
Let me acknowledge, there was never any doubt about who was number 1 
and who was number 2.
  But I want to say to my friend, Jerry, what a great honor it has been 
to be number 2 on that team with you. And today I want to look you in 
the eye and say thank you for your service to our country, for the 
tremendous service you gave to your constituents throughout your long 
and distinguished career, and most importantly, to thank you for what 
you gave to me. You have been a true and loyal friend. And while you 
are leaving here--and I regret that deeply--the one thing I take 
comfort in knowing is that our wonderful friendship will continue.

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