[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  REFLECTIONS ON REPRESENTING THE 27TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest and most 
sincere appreciation to my colleagues of this Congress, and the 
constituents of South Texas, which has been part of my life while 
representing the 27th Congressional District of Texas for close to 28 
years. I have had the distinct honor to serve as an elected official 
for the past 46 years, beginning at the ripe age of 27 as a County 
Constable, County Commissioner, County Sheriff, and finally as a Member 
of Congress.
  I leave many great memories of my time in the Halls of Congress and 
in the U.S. House of Representatives. Those vivid memories of my 
arrival that cold winter day in Washington, shortly after the 
victorious election of 1982, will live on forever. I remember driving 
around the Capitol and through Washington, DC; the opportunity was 
great; the moment was there; I had been granted the chance to represent 
hundreds of thousands of constituents from Deep South Texas.
  Today, as I retire from the distinguished House of Representatives, I 
reflect on the past with satisfaction as I look forward to the future 
with enthusiasm for the next chapter of what life has to offer. I will 
be spending well deserved time with my beautiful children--Solomon Jr. 
and Yvette--as well as my grandson, Oscar, and the rest of my family. I 
look forward to a much less hectic life. I must admit, I will miss my 
colleagues--both Democrats and Republicans--and will miss representing 
some of the most loving, caring, amazing and interesting people of 
Texas--the constituents of the 27th Congressional District of Texas.
  To my friends, supporters and those who have been with me since I was 
first elected to office in 1964 at the age of 27, from the very bottom 
of my heart, I thank you for standing by me and with me through it all. 
Words cannot tell how much I appreciate the love and support you have 
shown me and my family over the years. Thank you for the good memories 
and endless accomplishments; thank you for your vote of confidence and 
for believing in me; thank you for your love and words of encouragement 
as I worked to be the voice for all the people of South Texas, 
including minorities, the middle class, poor, vulnerable, and less 
fortunate.
  As I deliver these last few words in the House of Representatives, I 
am at ease and peace with myself, my family, my colleagues in Congress, 
my constituents, life and most importantly, I am at ease with God. I 
truly believe that through our work and significant contributions 
during my years of service in Congress, we leave South Texas better 
than before. A more vibrant, economic-friendly and socially developed 
South Texas. Through the work of local, county, state and federal 
officials we were able to accomplish great deeds.
  Thousands of memories from experiences in my service remain part of 
the tapestry of my life and always will. I remember the votes on war . 
. . on economic justice. The battles for bases and 21st Century 
transportation in South Texas . . . fights and alliances with White 
House occupants . . . all I remember and savor--whether my side 
prevailed or not.
  This is a great place--despite the shortcomings . . . despite the 
pettiness of our members from time to time, and despite the dangerous 
political climate created by those who turned cable news shows into 
political juggernauts. Democracy is by no means perfect . . . but it 
still beats all the alternatives.
  I leave the national stage, certain of having done the right thing 
for those I represented. In the thousands of votes I cast in Congress 
for the 27th Congressional District of Texas, time and time again, I 
voted to make South Texas and this nation a better and stronger place.
  I end my public service with an appropriate verse from Robert Frost's 
``The Road Not Taken.''

     I shall be telling this with a sigh
     Somewhere ages and ages hence:
     Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
     I took the one less traveled by,
     And that has made all the difference.

  It certainly has made all the difference.
  I yield back my time, for the last time.

                          ____________________