[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H8875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN APPRECIATION OF DEPARTING FLORIDA MEMBERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
express my appreciation for departing members of the Florida 
Congressional Delegation.
  I am especially saddened that I will not see Clay Shaw walking these 
halls or voting on this esteemed Floor next year. He is a class act, a 
true public servant who always demonstrated grace and decency. He has 
been a great mentor to me, and I can only hope that I can serve in 
Congress with the same honor Clay Shaw did for 26 years. I know he will 
now have more time for his wonderful wife and his lovely family, but I 
also know that I will miss him dearly.
  Mike Bilirakis has earned his retirement from public service and I 
wish him well. Proverbs states that ``A wise son maketh a glad 
father,'' and Mike Bilirakis should be a very glad dad. I had the great 
pleasure of serving with his son Gus in the Florida State Legislature, 
and I look forward to working with him again in the 110th Congress.
  No one can doubt that Katherine Harris loves Florida. Her family 
roots run deep in the Sunshine State, and no one is more proud of our 
great State than her. I am honored to have served with her both in the 
Florida Statehouse and in this distinguished Chamber. I wish her all 
the best.

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