[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H6687-H6693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING DEPARTING MEMBERS OF THE OHIO DELEGATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kinzinger). Under the Speaker's 
announced policy of January 5, 2011, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Tiberi) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority 
leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TIBERI. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 
legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert 
extraneous materials for the Record on the topic of the Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, tonight, we from Ohio would like to 
recognize and thank for their service five departing Members from the 
Ohio delegation. Congressmen Steve Austria, Dennis Kucinich, Steve 
LaTourette, Jean Schmidt, and Betty Sutton will end their service with 
us at the end of this year. Over the next hour we would like to, as 
Republicans and Democrats, thank them for their service.
  I would first like to recognize my colleague from central Ohio, 
Congressman Steve Stivers, for his remarks.
  Mr. STIVERS. I would like to thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I would like to say a few things about our five departing colleagues, 
who have given great service to our country. I want to thank them on 
behalf of the people of the 15th District for their incredible service 
and talk a little bit about each one.
  I'll start with Congressman Steve LaTourette, whose service in 
Congress has really been incredible, and he's been a role model for 
many of us who are younger. He's been a great mentor. He's not afraid 
to stand up for what he believes in. He knows that we've got to work 
together as Republicans and Democrats to solve our Nation's problems. 
He's an illustration of what a good Member of Congress should be--
someone who's always thinking about their constituents.
  Steve LaTourette had been a mainstay of Congress, and it won't be the 
same here without him, especially on transportation issues. I'd like to 
just thank him for his support, as I had a transportation bill earlier 
in this Congress. He was very helpful. I had a plan to try to fund 
transportation projects differently, and he sat down with me and worked 
me through the process and helped me sit down with the folks at the 
Congressional Budget Office and folks in leadership to sell my idea. 
That bill passed the House with bipartisan support, with 20 Democrats 
voting for it and a lot of Republicans voting for it. I know I couldn't 
have gotten that done without Congressman LaTourette. I'm sorry to see 
him retire. But he's leaving behind a legacy of outstanding service, 
and he's been an incredible Member of Congress, and I know there are 
great things in his future.
  The gentlelady to my left, Congresswoman Schmidt, I grew up in her 
district. My family lives in her district, and they really appreciate 
her hard work and constituent service. She's a runner. She runs 
marathons in her spare time, but she runs her office like a marathon. 
She's always working for the people of her district, the Second 
District. It's been incredible just to watch her advocacy for important 
things in all of her district. We share some territory down in southern 
Ohio now. She's been a leader on the uranium enrichment plant in 
Piketon and what it can do for our country, for safety in our nuclear 
arsenal, and for what it can do as an economic driver in southern Ohio. 
On behalf of the people of southern and central Ohio, I want to thank 
the gentlelady for her work on that. She's left a legacy that's really 
going to make a difference in the future.
  The Congressman from the Seventh District, Congressman Austria, and I 
served as State senators together. He got up here a couple of years 
before I did in 2008, back when my race was still in a recount. We came 
up to orientation together, and he showed a willingness and an interest 
to run for leadership of the class, to be the president of the class. I 
worked hard as his campaign manager. He got elected class president 
that year, and he went on to give great service to this class in 
Congress. He's also been a leader on the Appropriations Committee for 
these 2 years.
  I've seen him work on some tough issues in the State senate, and I 
know he's got great things in his future. I'm certainly sorry to see 
him retire. I'm proud of his service, and I'm happy to call him a 
friend. I'm looking forward to what is next in his life. And I know 
he's going to do great things.
  Also, our Members from the other side of the aisle. Congresswoman 
Sutton and Congressman Kucinich have really worked hard, and I 
appreciate all their work and efforts. Dennis Kucinich is really a man 
who sticks up for his principles. I certainly respect him for that. 
He's willing to stand up for what he believes is right when nobody in 
this institution will. I really respect him for that. He's also become 
a good friend. He's a really nice fellow. I want to thank him for his 
service and wish him great luck in his future.
  Congresswoman Betty Sutton, I really appreciate her service back to 
her time on the city council and the Summit County Council and the 
State legislature. She's advocated for her constituents. I just want to 
thank her for her service.
  I think it's important that we as Republicans and Democrats work 
together on the issues that are facing our country, and I want to thank 
these Members for their service to our country and thank them for 
everything that they've done for the people of Ohio. And as a grateful 
coworker, I want to say: job well done.

                              {time}  1910

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a privilege to recognize one of 
the more famous members of our delegation because he is the Speaker of 
the House. Our leader, Mr. Boehner, is recognized.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Let me thank my colleague for yielding.
  I have proudly represented the people of the Eighth Congressional 
District of Ohio now for 22 years. During that time, our State 
delegation has had a long line of great leaders and great legislators 
here in the Congress.
  Tonight, I want to recognize the careers and the service of five 
departing members from the Ohio delegation, each of whom in their own 
way exemplify the type of leadership for which our great State has long 
been known.
  Congressman Kucinich has been a passionate advocate for his 
community. While we haven't always agreed, I respect his courage, his 
passion, and his commitment to his constituents.
  Congressman Steve Austria has worked tirelessly on military and 
veterans issues that are so important to the people we both serve. 
Steve, for your efforts on behalf of Wright-Paterson Air Force Base, 
the community, and the people of southwest Ohio,

[[Page H6688]]

you deserve a great deal of thanks and applause for your work.
  Congresswoman Jean Schmidt blazed the trail as the first woman 
elected to represent her southern Ohio district. She has served in this 
Chamber with a deep commitment to her principles and her faith, and I 
wish her the very best of luck.
  Congresswoman Betty Sutton sits on the other side of the aisle, but 
we've always been able to disagree without being disagreeable. Like me, 
she served in the Ohio House before serving our State here in the 
Congress. I respect her for her straightforward nature and willingness 
to fight for her priorities and those of her constituents.
  Finally, my friend and close colleague, Steve LaTourette. Now, Steve 
and I have known each other for a long time. Steve, you've always done 
things your way; you're truly one of a kind. It really is not going to 
be the same around here without my good friend, Steve LaTourette, but 
our friendship will continue; and I'm grateful for the relationship 
that we've had.
  Each of these Representatives focused on different issues and led in 
their own way, but what they all have in common is a love for Ohio and 
an unwavering dedication to their constituents. So I'm honored to have 
worked with each of you, and on behalf of the people of our beloved 
State, I want to thank you for your service.
  Mr. TIBERI. I would now like to recognize the gentleman from Urbana, 
Ohio (Mr. Jordan).
  Mr. JORDAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank him for 
putting this hour together where we can recognize five outstanding 
Buckeyes for their service to their districts and to our great State.
  I want to start first with the two gentleladies--truly gentleladies, 
poise and grace and passion that they bring to this process. I have 
appreciated that. I have appreciated Betty's tireless advocacy for the 
families that she represents in her district. For Jeannie and her 
unbelievable commitment to the sanctity of human life, I respect that 
tremendously and appreciate that. That's going to be missed around 
these Halls.
  Then to the two Steves. Steve Austria, I had the privilege of serving 
with him in the State senate, outstanding American. He's done a great 
job representing his district. And then of course Steve LaTourette as 
well. As I like to call them ``Stevie Wonder Austria,'' ``Stevie Wonder 
LaTourette,'' both great guys who have served their districts with the 
kind of commitment that you want in a Representative.
  Then, finally, my good friend--we use that term a lot around here, 
but in this situation it's actually true. Dennis Kucinich is a good 
friend. We have had the privilege of working on a subcommittee 
together. I've said this back home in our district--it's no secret that 
I'm a pretty conservative guy and Dennis is not a very conservative 
guy, and yet I tell people that we're good friends.
  Here is a guy who truly comes to this process with this idea: get 
your best hole, take your best shot, fight for the things you believe 
in. That's the way this process should work; that's how Representatives 
should behave; and Dennis has done that just as good as anybody, and I 
respect that tremendously.
  So we're losing five wonderful people, but they're going to continue 
to do great things for our State and continue in some form of public 
service, I'm sure. So I just want to say thank you and best of luck.
  Mr. TIBERI. The next gentleman is not a member of the Ohio 
delegation, but an honorary member of the Ohio delegation. I certainly 
enjoy working with him on the Ways and Means Committee; he's a 
delightful man to work with. The former chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee, Mr. Rangel, is recognized.
  (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. RANGEL. Well, I thank you for this opportunity. It's always 
difficult when Members' political careers are interrupted. We're going 
to miss Betty Sutton on our side, and of course we're going to miss Mr. 
Kucinich for all the great work he's done.
  I remember, Congressman LaTourette, when your former Member, Lou 
Stokes, was on the floor and he demonstrated his friendship in a way 
that certainly most Members on both sides will never forget. And Mr. 
Austria is leaving.
  One of the main reasons why I did come to the floor is because of 
Jean Schmidt. When I first heard that she was defeated, they told me 
that her opponent had said that I endorsed her and that's the reason 
she lost the race. So I wanted to make it abundantly clear that while I 
did not endorse her politically, I certainly would have said what a 
nice lady she has been in being kind and gentle and Republican at the 
same time, and I thought that was quite an achievement.
  Ms. Schmidt has managed to disagree with so many of the differences 
we have in policy; and yet the first thing that you would ever see on 
her face is a smile, asking you how you are feeling and having a 
genuine concern about that. I personally will miss you and miss the 
greetings that we had for each other and sharing each other's family 
experiences. It's really a classic example in showing what this great 
body used to be and what it can become when people can just take a few 
minutes and realize that we may all come from different political 
philosophies, but we are still the brothers and sisters and children of 
God.

  I also want to thank Judge Fudge for giving me this great opportunity 
in speaking with her great Buckeye delegation. Thank you so much.
  Mr. TIBERI. I would now like to recognize one of our new Members who 
is returning for his second term from northeast Ohio, Mr. Jim Renacci.
  Mr. RENACCI. I want to thank my colleague for yielding time.
  As a Representative of the 16th District of Ohio, I really want to 
thank each one of the departing Members for their service to not only 
the State of Ohio, but our country.
  First, Steve Austria, he has become a friend. As a new Member getting 
to know the House of Representatives, Steve has become a good friend, a 
tireless advocate for Ohio and his district, but even more important, 
an advocate for Wright-Paterson Air Force Base during the BRAC process. 
He also fought to keep KC-135s at Rickenbacker Air and National Guard 
Base and the C-27Js at the ANG base in Mansfield. That's not just 
important for Ohio, but also for national security. I want to thank him 
for his service, and best of luck.
  The next individual, Dennis Kucinich. Dennis has been a true steward 
for northeast Ohio. While we don't agree on some of the issues, I have 
always considered Dennis a very close friend. He has often offered to 
help me over the past 2 years when it comes to northeast Ohio. I have 
genuinely enjoyed our discussions, many times traveling back and forth 
from Washington, D.C., to Cleveland. I will miss serving with Dennis 
and wish him the best of luck going forward.
  Congresswoman Schmidt also, when I got here 2 years ago, was someone 
who I knew that I could turn to. She's been a great leader for her 
district and someone who has really stepped up when it comes to energy 
issues in the Ohio delegation, specifically on re-enriching uranium. 
Our Navy relies on uranium, and Jean made it a point to fight for a 
domestic source of materials that power our aircraft carriers and 
submarines. Without a faithful and reliable source of fuel, the Navy 
would not be able to fully protect the American homeland or protect 
power abroad. But not only that, Jean has been a voice of fiscal 
responsibility during her time in Congress, and I wish her the best 
going forward.
  My colleague, Betty Sutton. I want to thank Betty Sutton for her 
service to Ohio and our Nation.

                              {time}  1920

  Over the last year, we had a hard-fought and extremely competitive 
campaign. Throughout it, she maintained a level of professionalism and 
integrity not often seen in American politics. I want to thank her for 
her service, and I wish her the best of luck with her future endeavors.
  Last, but not least, my friend, Steve LaTourette, has been a friend, 
a guide, a trusted confidante and someone whom I have looked to as a 
mentor. He and I both strongly supported a couple of issues: 
development of fuel cell technology through the Solid State Energy 
Conversion Alliance program. This technology will increase

[[Page H6689]]

the efficient use of our Nation's natural resources, reduce dependence 
on foreign oil, and enhance energy security. I will miss working 
alongside him on this issue.
  He has always been available if needed for advice or even as a 
sounding board. His answers have always represented what he believes to 
be best for me, regardless of his own position on an issue. For that, I 
was really appreciative. And the rest of Congress are really, we are 
losing an intelligent, thoughtful, and highly motivated public servant, 
one who always puts his constituents first.
  While it will be sad to see him go, I wish him luck in his future 
endeavors. I truly thank him sincerely for his 18 years of service to 
Ohio and America.
  Mr. TIBERI. It's a real pleasure to recognize the dean of our 
delegation, the pride of Toledo, Ms. Marcy Kaptur.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank you very much, Congressman Tiberi, for 
spearheading this Special Order to honor those in our delegation who 
have served with us so honorably these many years.
  I was reflecting and listening to our colleagues that, with the 
departure of these wonderful, wonderful Americans who call Ohio their 
home, Ohio will lose over a half a century of seniority as they move on 
to other pursuits. On top of the seniority that was lost when Ralph 
Regula retired and Dave Hobson and Lou Stokes, we really have a 
rebuilding job to do in Ohio to gain footing here and to make sure that 
the needs of Ohio are met. So as these very able Ohioans leave, they 
take with them great knowledge and great dexterity in this institution, 
but we have to be conscious of our added responsibilities as they 
leave.
  I want to say to my two sisters, to Betty Sutton, who has been a true 
champion on the middle class during her 6 years of service here, 
without question her voice has been heard and will be heard again. She 
has dedicated her life to public service and the betterment of the 
lives of Ohioans and all Americans. And what makes her service 
particularly poignant, I think, she is a very highly educated woman, 
but she is very, very proud of her working-class roots, her blue-collar 
roots, and it is not surprising that she was a tireless advocate for 
working men and women in her service here.
  The Cash for Clunkers legislation that gave our economy a much-needed 
shot in the arm was championed by her. And at every turn, she fought 
for her convictions that everyone should have access to work, to health 
care, that we had to grow our economy and create jobs so the middle 
class could be strengthened and those who want to get into it would 
have that ladder of opportunity up. She always kept our Nation's 
servicemen and -women preeminent in her mind. I can tell you, I will 
miss her so very, very much.
  Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, who I'm glad is on the floor with us 
tonight, was first elected in 2005 and has been an absolutely totally 
dedicated Representative to her district, to our State, and to the 
country. I have admired her dedication and her ability to reach across 
the aisle. I have admired very much her work on new energy systems in 
all sectors, not picking any favorites necessarily, but trying to help 
America meet its chief strategic vulnerability, and that is our 
continued reliance on imported sources of energy. I know how hard she 
has fought for our troops, both here as a Member and back home, always 
recognizing their contributions to our country.
  And I will miss her. I will miss seeing her, I will miss working with 
her, and I obviously wish her, on behalf of our side of the delegation, 
the very best that life can offer and a very beautiful holiday season. 
I know we have not heard the last of Jean Schmidt. I know that she has 
much more to give.
  To my colleague, Dennis Kucinich from Cleveland, we certainly admire 
his passion and conviction on issues. One doesn't doubt where he stands 
when Dennis takes a position. He believes in it, and he believes in the 
people he represents, and they surely need voice. He has never lost 
focus on that during his tenure, and I know that all of us will be 
watching as he makes his way forward. I know that he will be active in 
the political realm as he so chooses. And we thank him for his 
great service to the State of Ohio as a Member of Congress, but before 
that, as well, in service to the State legislature and as mayor of 
Cleveland. He has had a very illustrious career and many, many 
accomplishments to show for that service.

  I want to say to Steve LaTourette a personal thank-you for the years 
that we've served together, but also for our work on the Appropriations 
Committee, the full committee, as well as the subcommittee that we 
share, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Our part of Ohio, 
in fact all of Ohio, which has more urban areas than any other State in 
the Union, needs the attention of this committee, and Steve completely 
dedicated himself to that so honorably. He's been a commonsense 
Congressman and an able partner on the many issues that we're able to 
work on together. We fought against bank bonuses after Wall Street 
collapsed. We worked together to save the auto industry to ensure that 
auto dealers got a fair deal, saving thousands of jobs, and to make 
sure, in the end, Ohio got her fair share.
  I will hope that his work in the future will allow him to be a 
champion for the greater Cleveland area and northeastern Ohio, but for 
our whole State because of his great acumen and his abilities to work 
with people of all persuasions. I know how Lake Erie and the entire 
Great Lakes system has benefited from his years of service, and we have 
to pick up that mantle and carry it forward for him.
  Finally, for Steve Austria, what a joy to work with Steve Austria, 
whether it was on Wright Pat, whether it was on the concerns of central 
Ohio, such a gentleman, so strong and steady, such a voice for his 
constituents over the last 4 years that he has served. I wish that he 
could have served longer. I have enjoyed the opportunities I've had to 
work with him, though not always on shared committees.
  I just want to thank Congressman Tiberi for bringing us together 
tonight to pay tribute to all of these great Ohioans--Betty Sutton, 
Jean Schmidt, Dennis Kucinich, Steve Austria, and Steve LaTourette--all 
of whom have made enormous contributions to our State, and I thank you 
for allowing me to add my words of appreciation to all of you.
  Mr. TIBERI. I would like to recognize the gentleman who represents 
the district that borders Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky 
from northwestern Ohio to southern Ohio, the gentleman from Marietta, 
Bill Johnson, a new Member of our Congress who just got reelected to a 
second term.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. I thank you for yielding.
  As a fledgling new Member of Congress in January of 2011, I realized 
right away that I had an awful lot to learn. And so many of our Ohio 
delegation reached out to me and gave me an arm around the shoulder, a 
nudge on the arm saying, Hey, we can work these things out; just hang 
in there. I've gotten to know each of our five departing Members from 
the Ohio delegation in their own unique way.
  I remember very early on leading up to the 2010 election coming to 
Washington to meet with some folks, and it was the first time that I 
met with Jean Schmidt. Jean graciously invited me into her office. We 
sat down. We talked about issues that are important to the people of 
her district. Her district borders my district, and we have a lot of 
common interests about that. We sat for an hour or more, and she gave 
me great insight into the kind of work that I would be doing, and I'm 
so appreciative of that.

                              {time}  1930

  After coming to Washington and beginning to sit on the Foreign 
Affairs Committee, I sat right next to Jean. I saw her passion for 
fiscal issues, spending, issues around the sanctity of human life, 
around human rights. I saw how she went about the business of not only 
representing the people of her district, but representing the values 
that Americans stand for. To Congresswoman Schmidt, I just want to say: 
Jean, it has been a pleasure working with you. I agree that we haven't 
seen the last of you. I've enjoyed spending our days at the Bible study 
on Thursday mornings, and I wish you the very best in your future 
endeavors. I look forward to seeing you often.
  To Steve Austria, Steve is another one that reached out. As a 26\1/
2\-year

[[Page H6690]]

veteran of the Air Force, Wright-Paterson Air Force Base--it is 
important to the State of Ohio, that is true--but it's important to the 
Air Force and it's important to our Nation. And I've appreciated the 
work that Steve has done there. Steve might not realize this, but he 
trained many of the staff that I have today. I'm very pleased with the 
staff that I have here in Washington. Many of those that serve with me 
today serving the Sixth District of Ohio came through Steve Austria's 
office where they learned and where they saw the value of hard work in 
Steve Austria. I appreciate so much what Steve has done for our 
delegation.
  To Dennis Kucinich, I had seen Dennis many times on television prior 
to being elected myself. I have seen the interviews. Dennis was a known 
leader and political figure in the State of Ohio. People told me early 
on that you don't have to agree with everything that Dennis says, but 
one thing you will find out about Dennis is that he loves the people 
that he represents and he represents them well. You can learn a lot 
from Dennis Kucinich about constituent services.
  In the days since I've been here, one thing I've learned about Dennis 
as well is that he is always a gentleman. No matter what the issue, no 
matter what the crisis of the moment might be, Dennis would remain calm 
and would remain poised in the conversations that we've had, even 
though not necessarily agreeing on the issues, but certainly raising 
very valid points and doing so in a manner that befits the office. I 
want to thank Dennis for that.
  To Congresswoman Betty Sutton, I did not get a chance to work with 
Betty that often. We traveled back and forth on the same flights every 
now and then to Ohio. We served on the Natural Resources Committee 
together, but not on the same subcommittee. So I did not get a chance 
to spend an awful lot of time with Betty. But like so many of the other 
comments that you've heard, she represented her district well. She did 
it in a very professional manner. I want to thank her for her many 
years of service.
  Steve LaTourette, what can you really say about Steve LaTourette? I 
never once went to Steve and asked him a question and he said, Hey, can 
you come back and see me later? I don't have time. He was always 
willing to stop what he was doing and say, What can I do to help? What 
do you need to talk about? No matter what the issue, you could always 
count on Steve LaTourette being a voice of reason. I had, from time to 
time throughout my Air Force career, those rare leaders who could see 
beneath the fog and the friction of the battle to see clearly what the 
issues were. Steve LaTourette possesses that ability. He took me under 
his wing. He shared with me his wealth of knowledge about the 
legislative process, helped guide me through some really difficult 
issues here on the floor. He's so very well respected. One thing I 
admire most about Steve is it's so obvious that he is so respected by 
both sides of the aisle. That's a lesson that I think many of us could 
learn and take home. I can assure you that Steve LaTourette is going to 
be missed.
  I wish all of our departing Members from Ohio Godspeed, many 
blessings, and I've enjoyed serving with each and every one of you.
  Mr. TIBERI. Thank you.
  It's a real pleasure to recognize the gentlelady who represents the 
bulk of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, soon Akron and some of Summit 
County, as well, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, a neighbor to Mr. 
LaTourette and Mr. Kucinich.
  Ms. FUDGE. Thank you very much.
  I rise to pay tribute today to my faithful Ohio colleagues who will 
be leaving our ranks at the end of this Congress. Three of them 
represent districts that border mine, and all will be missed by our 
delegation.
  At the beginning of 2011, I pulled together a long list, with my 
friend Mr. Renacci, of our delegation for dinner. This experience 
showed everyone who attended that we can work and play together, 
despite our party affiliations. This isn't true of all delegations. 
Simply put, it is because of the people who make up the Ohio 
delegation. Those departing will be deeply missed. I will miss their 
collective experience, their outstanding wit, and unrivaled passion in 
serving the people of Ohio. Their departure will truly be a loss to the 
region, our State, and the Nation.

  Dennis Kucinich is one of the most enduring public servants in 
Cleveland history. From city council to what we used to call ``boy 
mayor,'' to a Member of Congress, Dennis has represented the city of 
Cleveland and its citizens with undeniable zeal and passion. First 
elected to Congress in 1996, Dennis Kucinich is the kind of fighter you 
want on your team, be it fighting for labor rights or against the wars 
in Iraq and Afghanistan. He left his mark for being fiery, outspoken, 
and incorruptible, and the city of Cleveland loves him for it. Dennis 
was proud to champion liberal causes even when being liberal wasn't 
popular. He is bright and unflappable in his convictions, traits that 
earned him admiration from citizens throughout the Nation. Congress 
will not be the same without him.
  Betty Sutton is a leader who has and will undoubtedly continue to 
make a difference in northeast Ohio. She ran for city council during 
her first year of law school and won. She is the youngest woman to ever 
serve in the Ohio State House. She fought hard for the middle class by 
representing unions and their members as a labor attorney. Betty played 
a critical role in the passage of the Nation's health care reform bill. 
She championed the Cash for Clunkers program, helping thousands of 
Americans afford new cars and helping to revive the economy with this 
successful program. Betty has been unwavering in her support of 
America's veterans of all generations. Notably, she always found time 
in her schedule to greet World War II veterans from Ohio visiting our 
Nation's Capital. Betty's congressional service to Ohio and the Nation 
will be missed.
  Steve LaTourette. July 30, 2012, was not only a sad day for the State 
of Ohio and the Ohio delegation, but it was a sad day for all 
reasonable, level-headed Americans. July 30 marked the day that Steve 
LaTourette, my good friend, announced his retirement from Congress. 
Steve is and always will be a champion for all of northeast Ohio. The 
impact he made on his district and the State cannot be disputed. He is 
hardworking and easy to work with. Steve is a master of bipartisanship. 
He wrote the book on working across the aisle. He and I recently 
introduced the Restore Our Neighborhoods Act, and we are working 
together to ensure this bill is included in an end-of-the-year bill. We 
need more Members of Congress like Steve. He is one of the few Members 
I could always rely on to be objective. He was one of only seven House 
Republicans to vote against defunding NPR. He was only one of two House 
Republicans who voted against holding Attorney General Eric Holder in 
contempt of Congress. Words cannot begin to describe the void Steve's 
departure will create. We're going to miss him.
  Jean Schmidt. I know Congresswoman Schmidt is exceptional. To be the 
first woman elected to represent southern Ohio in Congress is quite a 
feat; and to be a grandmother and still run marathons is something that 
I don't know that anyone else could do.

                              {time}  1940

  Although we have not always agreed on policy, we can agree on the 
importance of promoting female athletes and women in general, and we 
agree on family values. Jean understands the importance of representing 
all of the people and all of the parts of her district. We will miss 
her kindness and her sincerity.
  Good luck, my friend.
  And Steve Austria, he is one of the five that I did not get an 
opportunity to know very well, but I have watched him. He has an 
impressive track record. He served both in the State house and the 
senate, serving as the majority whip in the senate. He was the first 
first-generation Filipino to become a Congressman. Steve quickly shot 
up the ranks to serve on the Appropriations Committee and helped bring 
much-needed funding to the State of Ohio and to our military 
installments. He is a principled man, deciding not to run for a third 
term because he did not want to leave his Beaver Creek home of 20 years 
as a result of redistricting.

[[Page H6691]]

  As I have watched him, I know him to be a gentleman. I can tell by a 
person's demeanor what kind of person he is, and he always carries 
himself with dignity and respect.
  I am sorry that I did not get an opportunity to know you better.
  I will close by saying that this House is better and stronger because 
all of you served here.
  Mr. TIBERI. It is a real pleasure to introduce the gentleman of whom 
you were just speaking, Congresswoman Fudge, one of the five Members 
who will not be back with us next year, Mr. Steve Austria, who I had 
the pleasure of having a district next to.
  Mr. AUSTRIA. I thank the gentleman.
  I want to first thank the Ohio delegation for taking time this 
evening to recognize the departing members of the Ohio delegation; and 
to those Members on both sides of the aisle who have supported me and 
helped me throughout my 4 years of Congress, I thank you.
  To those departing Members, for your service and your commitment to 
the Buckeye State, you will be missed. You've done a great job. I've 
had the distinct opportunity to work with many of you in the State 
legislature as well as in Congress, and I thank you for your service, 
and I especially thank those Members who have given me advice and 
helped me and supported me through this last year.
  As the Members who are here on the floor today know, as well as many 
of the folks back in Ohio, the Seventh Congressional District that I 
represent was eliminated with redistricting. This has been a tough 
year. To those Members who have given me advice, encouragement, and 
sometimes just that pat on the back to keep going through these 
challenging times, I thank you for that, and your friendship will 
always be remembered.
  It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve in Congress and to 
represent the eight counties and the residents of those eight counties 
that I represent in the Seventh Congressional District; to be blessed 
with a family and friends and a great staff who have supported and 
stayed with me during this past year; and to serve in this fine 
institution with so many good people--and there are good people here in 
Congress. I will miss serving in Congress, but the friendships that I 
have made here in Washington and throughout my district will be 
forever.
  It was my father who first introduced me to politics and government. 
My father came to this country from the Philippines, and he came here 
to live the American Dream. He became a legal citizen, and he was so 
proud of that. He met my mother. They got married. They raised a 
family--nine kids and now 28 grandkids. God bless my mother who is 
still alive. He started his own business. He always gave back to his 
community, and he always believed in making this place he called 
``home'' a better place for his children and grandchildren to live. I 
think if he were alive today--and I'm sure he's looking down from 
heaven somewhere--he'd be very proud of his oldest son, who, to my 
knowledge, is the first first-generation Filipino American to serve in 
the United States Congress.
  I am proud to be part of the Asian American community. This has been 
a job for the past 14 years, in having served in the State legislature 
for 10 years and now in Congress for 4 years, that I have taken very 
seriously. I've tried to give it my all--100 percent--and have 
dedicated my life to it. I want to thank my family for all of the 
sacrifices that they have made to allow me to be the best Congressman 
that I could be.
  Many Members of Congress have family members back home who are making 
tremendous sacrifices, and I thank you for those sacrifices to allow 
the Members of Congress to serve our government.
  I also must recognize and thank my staff. You see, when I started my 
service in Congress, I was very blessed with a great staff that I 
inherited from my predecessor, Congressman Dave Hobson. Most have gone 
on to bigger and better things, but I am also blessed to end my service 
here with a very dedicated and committed staff who are dedicated to 
helping our constituents back in our district--whether they be 
veterans, whether they be seniors, whether they be hardworking 
Americans--and having a positive impact on their lives. There is a 
loyalty that this staff has given to our district. It is a very 
committed staff both in D.C. and back in the district; and most of the 
staff, actually, have stayed with me until the very end.

  To our staff, to our team, you are the best.
  To the freshman class of the 111th Congress that I came in with--in 
particular, our Republican members of the freshman class--I want to 
thank you for your service and the friendships and the support that 
we've had throughout the years.
  I came in in 2008. It was a tough year for Republicans, and I was the 
only Republican in Ohio to win an open seat. Then, in 2010, my 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle experienced, I think, the 
same thing. We had a small Republican class that came in--22 members. 
It was a very talented class, a class that showed great leadership and 
was very vibrant, and I believe that they will be part of the future of 
this Congress as far as leadership. It was a great honor to be elected 
by my Republican peers and my freshman class as our class President. 
The freshman class of the 111th Congress was a special group of friends 
on both sides of the aisle that will be remembered forever.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to Ohio's Seventh 
Congressional District, which I've had the honor to represent for the 
last 4 years. As I mentioned, this district was eliminated because of 
redistricting in Ohio; but it's a district with great history and one 
with great integrity, and it has had great leaders. It has been 
represented by leaders such as Congressman Dave Hobson, known as 
``Uncle Dave'' here on the Hill and back home for the great work he has 
done in Washington and throughout the State of Ohio; by former Senator 
and now Attorney General Mike DeWine, a personal friend who continues 
to lead our great State of Ohio; Congressman Bud Brown and Joyce Brown 
and his father, Clarence Brown, who also served in the United States 
Congress. The list goes on and on. To follow these great leaders and to 
have the opportunity to serve behind my mentors has been a great honor.
  When I'm here in Washington, I often walk through the Halls of the 
Capitol at night when there are very few people around. I can tell you 
the history, the tradition, the integrity of this Capitol is still 
there, and it speaks to you at night. Often as I walk through the Halls 
of the Capitol or am traveling throughout the district, folks will come 
up to me and remind me that, when one door closes, another opens and 
that God has a plan for all of us.
  So as I begin the next chapter of my life with my wife of 26 years, 
Eileen, and our three boys--Brian, Kevin, and Eric--I will take this 
great experience, the knowledge, and the memories here in Congress with 
me into the future. I always will remember the advice my father gave to 
me when I ran for my first office nearly 25 years ago--a local 
precinct, a county central committee--which is: always do the right 
thing.
  To the new Members who are here, I would encourage you to continue to 
do the right thing.
  And to our members of the Ohio delegation, never forget our men and 
women who are serving in our military and our veterans and the 
sacrifices that they are making and continue to make for our country 
and for our freedoms.
  May God bless this great country. It has been a privilege to serve 
you in Congress. Thank you.
  Mr. TIBERI. Thank you, Steve Austria. It has been a real pleasure 
working with you.
  I got to know Steve when he came to the Ohio legislature, actually. I 
was in the Ohio House, and he soon left and went to the Ohio Senate, 
and then rejoined us here in 2008. We always used to joke around that 
Steve Austria was going to be a heck of a lot less maintenance than 
Dave Hobson, his predecessor; and he certainly was.
  We've enjoyed working with you. You've been a great member of the 
Appropriations Committee. You have continued to serve the people of 
Ohio well. You had a great career in the Ohio Senate, and you helped 
pass some pretty critical legislation, including the Adam Walsh Child 
Protection and Safety Act. So we wish you well. We wish you and Eileen 
and your three boys much success in the future.

[[Page H6692]]

  It is a real pleasure to introduce another departing Member who also 
was in the legislature before she came here. Unfortunately, I didn't 
have an opportunity to serve with her; she came just as I was leaving.

                              {time}  1950

  When I think of Jean Schmidt, and it has been said before, I think of 
her faith and I think of marathons because she is an amazing marathon 
runner. She just completed her 97th marathon in October. And she's 
obviously a really proud grandma to two young grandsons, and it is a 
pleasure to recognize the gentlelady from southwestern Ohio.
  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Thank you, Congressman Tiberi, my great friend from 
central Ohio.
  I just want to say a few things today. First, I want to say good-bye, 
not just to this Chamber, but to the good friends who are leaving with 
me.
  Betty Sutton from northern Ohio. You know, politically we disagree 
just about on everything, but we also have something very common 
together: softball. She, like I, joined an all-female softball team. 
She's a good player. She can actually throw the ball from third to 
first without having it hop in between. And her tenacity helped us not 
lose as readily as we usually do when we play the women of the press. 
Betty has fought tirelessly for her district. She has represented it 
well, and she will be missed.
  Dennis Kucinich. You know, a lot has been said about Dennis. He is a 
man of conviction, and he's a man who's not afraid to be a voice in the 
wilderness. And all too often we don't agree with Dennis, but we always 
understand where his passion comes from, and it comes from his deep 
faith and the fact that he really believes in America, just as the rest 
of us do. But on a personal note, Dennis has become a good friend of 
mine. We share a deep conviction about obesity in our Nation and ways 
to conquer it. Who knows, maybe on the outside we will work together to 
try to find solutions to that.
  To Steve Austria, who just stood at this podium, I got to know Steve 
in the State legislature. While we didn't really work together on 
bills, we actually went to Arizona to watch Ohio State win its national 
championship. It was there that I really got to know Steve and his wife 
on a personal level. It was there that he shared with me his dream to 
one day serve in this Congress, and I'm so glad he was able to let that 
dream come true.
  To my good friend, Steve LaTourette, you know, when you come as a 
special election, you don't get this orientation that people get when 
they come as a class. You get elected and you're thrown on the floor 
and you're there to vote. I was put on his committee called 
Transportation, and I didn't know a whole lot about it, but Steve 
LaTourette shepherded me through it; and not just on that, on other 
issues critical to Ohio and critical to our Nation. He gave me great 
advice. He was a wonderful mentor, and he will be missed in this body.
  I don't know whether this is going to be my good-bye speech or not, 
but I just want to say what an honor it has been to serve in Congress. 
I came from a background where I truly represent the American Dream. My 
father grew up in poverty. He didn't have an education, but he believed 
in himself and he believed in hard work. And he married a woman with a 
college education--unheard of for a man of that background--and 
together they instilled in me a couple of really wonderful values. The 
first is to love God. The second is to love your country. The third is 
to believe in yourself because we are Americans, and as Americans, we 
cannot just dream something but work hard to make that a reality.
  I never thought that I would serve in this wonderful body, but 
through a special election, I was able to come here, and it has been a 
privilege to represent the Second District of Ohio. I truly believe it 
is the best district in the Nation because of its diversity. One of the 
communities I represent is one of the wealthiest in the country. 
Several others are the poorest in the country. But the fabric that 
weaves through the Ohio River Valley is one that shows me that these 
people, whether they are rich or poor, are deep, loving people of not 
just America but of our God.
  We are a community that believes in the sanctity of life. We are a 
community that believes in the right to carry. We are a community that 
believes in fiscal responsibility. And it was easy for me to carry that 
message here because, like so many people in the Second Congressional 
District, I believe in those things, too.
  Parting is sweet sorrow. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, but I 
can tell you this: Tomorrow there will be people here championing the 
cause of America and the American spirit, and I only hope that we are 
blessed as a Nation to continue to be the beacon of hope and freedom in 
the world.
  Toward that end, I wish all of my departing Members and all of those 
coming in and all of those that are remaining, Godspeed. God bless you, 
and God bless the United States of America.
  Mr. TIBERI. Thank you, Jean. We wish you and Peter well in the next 
door, in the next chapter.
  Five--five departing Ohioans, and I get to go last. It's been an 
honor to serve with all five of them. They leave a big void, Mr. 
Speaker. Steve Austria, Jean Schmidt, Betty Sutton--much has been said 
about all of these five.

  I actually knew Betty before I knew the other four. She and I were 
part of the freshman class of the Ohio class of Representatives in 
1992, and we served 8 years together in the Ohio House. Obviously 
different political parties, but you knew right away that Betty was 
bright, tenacious, and she was a fighter for her beliefs. We rarely 
agreed on issues. We got to see each other again when she got elected 
in 2006 to replace Sherrod Brown, who got elected to the U.S. Senate.
  I know her career's not over. It began in the Barberton City Council, 
Summit County Council, and the 8 years she served in the House. I know 
she is going to continue to serve in some capacity, and I wish her and 
her husband, Doug, the best as they move on to the next chapter of 
their life.
  Dennis Kucinich, I first knew Dennis, he didn't know me, when he was 
the boy mayor of Cleveland and I was growing up in Columbus. He 
obviously made a lot of headlines around the State as mayor. I still 
call him ``Mayor'' today. I first got to know Dennis when he was in the 
legislature of the Ohio Senate and I was in the Ohio House in the early 
1990s. He then got elected to Congress in 1996. I got to know Dennis 
better when I was elected here.
  And obviously, a lot has been said about Dennis. A lot has been said 
about Dennis, about his passion. The wilderness comment was perfect, 
Jean. He obviously is a man who will continue his mission in other 
ways. He ran for President. He wasn't shy about it. He has strong 
beliefs, beliefs that are different than mine, but again, someone you 
could call a friend.
  And finally, last but not least, the man who has a different quality 
than the rest of the four, and what I mean by that, he was the only one 
of the five who wasn't a legislator before he came to Congress, he was 
a prosecutor, Steve LaTourette. And ironically, if you talk to Members 
of the House, they would say he was a legislator's legislator even 
though he was never a legislator before he got here, which is amazing.
  Steve LaTourette is a contrast in so many different ways, and you 
heard so much about him here tonight in terms of the work he did in 
such a bipartisan way. But he could be as partisan as they came. In 
fact, as I think of memories from down on the floor, back in--I don't 
know what year it was--2007 or 2008, maybe it was 2009 or 2010, Steve 
came up with this game show idea about the lack of substantive work 
that we were doing on the House floor when we were in the minority and 
the Democrats were in the majority.

                              {time}  2000

  And it was funny, but, boy, was it pointed, and it could be 
absolutely true.
  But then again, you just never know where Steve was going to be. You 
could be on the House floor and here he is defending Jim Traficant on 
the House floor, a Republican defending a Democrat. And if you ever 
need a lawyer, you want Steve LaTourette to be your lawyer because he 
gave an incredible performance that one time.
  But he was a guy that was our dean. He was our dean of our delegation 
because everybody could go to Steve

[[Page H6693]]

with an issue. Whether it was an appropriations issue, whether it was 
an internal issue, whether it was an issue for Ohio, he's a guy who 
would give great advice, and he would work to get an answer for the 
problem.
  So whether it was the Appropriations Committee or--the Transportation 
Committee, where he served much of his career, was an area where he 
knew more about transportation, and transportation issues, then anybody 
in this town. He was just a walking encyclopedia on transportation 
issues.
  It's pretty hard for a Buckeye to talk about a University of Michigan 
graduate this way, Mr. Speaker, but it's going to be a big void for 
this House for all five, but especially for Steve LaTourette, who has 
really given his heart and his soul for 18 years to trying to make this 
body and our Nation a better place for our kids and for our grandkids.
  It really didn't matter who you were or what you were about or if you 
had an ``R'' or a ``D'' by your name with respect to Steve. If he 
believed in your cause, he was your partner, and he was going to do 
everything within his power to make sure that cause, that issue was 
going to be solved. He didn't always win, but he surely went down 
swinging every time he took that cause up.
  This place will not be as good as it has been without Steve 
LaTourette, Jean Schmidt, Steve Austria, Dennis Kucinich, and Betty 
Sutton.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been great knowing these folks. I am pretty sure 
that all of them we will see again in one capacity or another. I know, 
Steve, that we will see you and Jen and Henry and Emma soon.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I think our hour is up. We have no more 
speakers. It's been a pleasure. It's been a privilege, an honor to 
serve with all five of these men and women.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________