[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H8895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SPEAKER HASTERT

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago this month this House was in a 
great crisis. We had had a Speaker of the House who chose to resign. 
The Republican Conference selected a new Speaker, he chose to resign, 
and we as Members came together and called on J. Dennis Hastert to 
become Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  It was a difficult time. We were in the midst of considering articles 
of impeachment, and we continued to face many great challenges ahead. 
As we marked earlier this year, Dennis Hastert became, following that 
crisis 8 years ago this month, the longest-serving Republican Speaker 
in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  During that period of time, Mr. Speaker, we know that we have gone 
through some amazing changes and faced some real difficulties.
  Today marks the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and 
one can't help but think about the attack on September 11, 2001. We 
have not had an attack on this soil, on our soil, in large part due to 
the leadership that Dennis Hastert has provided in ensuring that our 
homeland is secure. Today we got the report of a reduction in 
unemployment claims, and that number, a huge drop, is further 
indication of the strong and growing economy that is in place because 
of the actions and the leadership of Dennis Hastert.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for us to note that while Denny 
Hastert is going to remain a Member of this House and provide advice 
and counsel to all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike, I think it 
is very, very appropriate as we look at the waning days of this 109th 
Congress to recognize his amazing and wonderful accomplishments on 
behalf of the American people and this institution.

                          ____________________