[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H8788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    REFLECTING ON THE 111TH CONGRESS

  (Mr. MAFFEI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MAFFEI. Madam Speaker, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 
this 111th Congress and to say how proud I am to have been a part of 
it. Some may look at the recent election and say we were off track. But 
while those showing up to vote may have changed from 2008 to 2010, I 
and so many of my colleagues stayed true to the people who elected us 
to change the direction of this country, and we did just that.
  From health care to financial reform, the Fair Pay Act to the repeal 
of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, I do not apologize for our accomplishments. I 
embrace them.
  On a personal note, I have worked on Capitol Hill nearly 12 years, 
starting as a junior staffer for a Senator and eventually becoming an 
elected Member of this House. Despite the cynicism about Congress, I 
have been privileged to work alongside staff and Members dedicated to 
the public good and furthering this great Republic, often at great 
personal expense. I thank them, and I will forever be grateful that a 
shy public school student of modest means from Syracuse, New York, 
could come here as a Member of this great Congress in this great 
country.

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