[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H8875-H8876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FAREWELL TO FELLOW FLORIDA MEMBERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I join my esteemed colleagues this 
evening in paying tribute to the Members of the Florida Congressional 
Delegation who will be departing this body at the end of this week--
Representatives Clay Shaw, Mike Bilirakis, Jim Davis, and Katherine 
Harris.
  It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such fine Americans 
throughout my tenure in Congress.
  Therefore, it is with great sadness that I begin by paying homage to 
one of our greatest leaders in Congress, Clay Shaw.
  During his 25 years as a Member of Congress, Clay has demonstrated 
outstanding service, dedication, hard work, devotion, and love for the 
American people and our wonderful State of Florida.
  As dean of the Florida delegation, Clay has been a confidant and 
trusted advisor to many of us.
  From offshore drilling, to insurance regulation, to hurricane relief, 
Clay has led the Delegation to ensure that we work together on the 
issues important to Floridians.
  Our delegation will never be the same without Clay at the helm.
  We can only hope that our next leader will be of the same caliber and 
possess equal skills and resourcefulness.
  It has been a true pleasure to serve with Clay, and I know that the 
legacy of his contributions to this distinguished body will serve as an 
example for Members both present and future.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my dear friend 
and colleague Michael Bilirakis for his 24 years of service to our 
Nation.
  During his time in Congress, Mike has been a terrific spokesperson 
for his constituents, and they should be proud that he has served them 
with honor and distinction.

[[Page H8876]]

  I have been fortunate to work with Mike on many different topics 
affecting our communities locally and abroad.
  Together we formed the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, a forum to 
promote the domestic interests of the Greek-American and Hellenic 
communities, and we have tackled issues of importance to the Hellenic 
community such as the just reunification of Cyprus and the appropriate 
name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
  I am privileged to call Mike my friend, and I look forward to our 
continued friendship for many years to come.
  I also look forward to working with his son Gus in continuing all the 
good work Mike has done for Florida.
  I would also like to recognize the Representative from Tampa, 
Florida, Jim Davis.
  Upon arriving to Congress in 1996, Jim was elected as President of 
the incoming freshman class by his Democrat colleagues, an early 
indication of his keen leadership abilities.
  While we have differed on issues, we have been able to come together 
and work for the good of Florida and our constituents.
  Jim has served this body for over a decade, and his colleagues from 
both sides of the aisle will miss him.
  Lastly, Katherine Harris has been integral part of the Florida 
delegation and her presence will be sorely missed.
  In her time here, Katherine has made a tremendous impression on all 
those she came in contact with.
  Not only will her constituents miss Katherine, but she will be missed 
by her colleagues for the central role she had on all her committees, 
especially the International Relations Committee, where I was fortunate 
to have her as an ally on Middle East issues.
  I also had the opportunity to travel to Iraq with Katherine, and meet 
with Iraqi officials, women Iraqi leaders, and our brave troops.
  Her incredible optimism and keen understanding will be deeply missed 
by our close-knit Florida family.
  In closing, I would like to offer my warmest wishes to Clay, Mike, 
Jim, and Katherine for their dedicated service to our country.
  Whatever your next vocation may be, I am certain that you will all 
continue to serve the citizens of Florida and our great Nation with 
dignity and I look forward to working with you all again.

                          ____________________