[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2139]]
 TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN JIM DAVIS, CONGRESSMAN CLAY SHAW, CONGRESSMAN 
          MICHAEL BILIRAKIS AND CONGRESSWOMAN KATHERINE HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as the 109th Congress comes to an 
end, I rise to honor the Congressional service of four outstanding 
members of our Florida Congressional Delegation; Jim Davis, Clay Shaw, 
Michael Bilirakis and Katherine Harris.
  Together, these outstanding Members have decades of experience in 
public service and have worked on a broad range of issues of lasting 
importance to the great State of Florida.
  I believe that public service is a truly a noble calling. Any person 
who assumes the challenges and responsibilities associated with this 
profession, and who makes the sacrifices necessary to achieve the 
success of these Members of Congress, merits the respect of our nation, 
and our thanks.
  Legislating in the Congress requires men and women who are masters of 
the traditional skills of American government--compromise, negotiation 
and bargaining. While we may disagree at times on policy and share 
different political philosophies, our objective should always be to 
serve the best interests of our constituents, our state and our nation.
  It is part of the genius of American government that the institution 
of Congress continues on and is not dependent on any particular 
individuals. Still, there is no doubt that the quality of people 
elected to Congress has a lot to do with the kinds and quality of 
legislation that becomes law. Each of these Members has, in his or her 
own way, left their mark on our laws and our nation.
  I am therefore proud to join with my colleagues in the Florida 
Delegation and, indeed, the entire Congress, in thanking you all for 
your service and wishing you much happiness and success in all your 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________