[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H15441-H15442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WELCOMING THE HONORABLE ROBERT E. LATTA TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Regula).
  Mr. REGULA. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to introduce the newest 
Member of our body from Ohio, Mr. Robert Latta.
  There is a lot that I can say. He has an outstanding record in the 
Ohio legislature. He has a lot of community activities. One that I 
especially like is he was very active in the 4-H program, and that's 
something close to my heart.
  But let me say, Bob, you have a wonderful legacy to uphold here. Your 
father served here for 30 years, an outstanding Member, Del Latta, for 
a few of us that still remember him well, a great Member. And then you 
succeed Paul Gillmor, who had 20 years of outstanding service. So the 
5th District of Ohio has had 50 years as a legacy of great service. And 
looking at your record in the Ohio legislature, I know that you will 
carry on the same record of great service to the people of that 
district and to the State of Ohio. And I'm happy, as the senior Member, 
to welcome you as a new Member of this great body.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman.
  And on behalf of our entire Buckeye delegation, and with poignancy on 
this occasion, during this season of new light, please let me welcome 
Congressman Robert Latta of Wood County, Ohio, to the ranks of the 
110th Congress of the United States.
  I can share with our colleagues that Bob is a man who has lived the 
commandment, ``Honor thy father and thy mother.'' Delbert and Rosemary 
must be so elated today.
  Bob also has honored his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Vern and Carol Sloan 
of Williams County, such very, very good citizens. Bob's father 
Delbert, as Ralph has said, served dutifully for three decades in this 
Chamber until 1989. What a Christmas gift this swearing-in must be for 
the Latta and Sloan families.
  Bob has been a loving husband to his gifted wife, Marcia, and a real 
father to his daughters, Elizabeth and Maria. I know how proud they all 
are today.
  His public service has been exemplary, with 15 years of service in 
the Ohio legislature. We welcome him warmly to the ranks of the Ohio 
delegation. Indeed, we need his help to pull our Buckeye State forward 
in more than football.
  Let me wish you and your family Godspeed on behalf of our entire 
delegation with healthy and productive years of service to our blessed 
Nation. Onward, and congratulations.
  The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Latta).

[[Page H15442]]

  Mr. LATTA. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me a brief moment.
  I want to thank Representative Regula. Representative Kaptur, thank 
you very much for your nice remarks. I really appreciate that. I know 
that my dad always enjoyed serving with you and riding on the plane 
back and forth from Toledo.
  It's a great honor to be here today. I'll tell you, it's a humbling 
experience. Because of all the years when I was younger and Dad was in 
Congress here and being able to come onto this floor, I never dreamed 
there would be a day when I would be standing in this well to address 
the Members.
  I just want to say this, that as we were walking here today from the 
Metro and walking between the Cannon and Longworth and looking up the 
street and seeing that dome of the Capitol Building, I understood how 
humbling of an experience this really is. I truly believe we are truly 
blessed to be one of 435 to represent such a great Nation.
  I look forward to working with all of you in the future. And I just 
want to thank you very much for this ability to be here with you today, 
and also, Madam Speaker, again, for allowing me to speak. I really 
appreciate it. Thank you very much.

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