[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 173 (Wednesday, January 2, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H7572-H7573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            FAREWELL REMARKS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Rivera) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RIVERA. Mr. Speaker, as we close on the 112th Congress, I wish to 
express my gratitude to the residents of Florida's 25th Congressional 
District for having given me the honor and the privilege to serve them 
as their elected Representative in the United States Congress.
  When my constituents first elected me to come to Congress, they did 
so with what I thought was a very clear mandate as to what the focus of 
the 112th Congress should be, and that is to restore fiscal 
responsibility to the Federal Government and begin moving our economy 
forward to create jobs. Here in the U.S. House of Representatives, I 
believe we have strived to meet the challenges that out-of-control 
spending have created in the form of yearly deficits and long-term debt 
accumulation. The 112th Congress' passage of the free trade agreements 
with Colombia and Panama and South Korea demonstrates what type of pro-
economic growth and job-creation policies can be achieved when we place 
the Nation's long-term economic interests before parochial or short-
term considerations.
  Unfortunately, too often in the 112th Congress, our efforts here in 
the U.S. House of Representatives to restore fiscal responsibility to 
the Federal Government have not been met with the same sense of urgency 
by our governing partners in the United States Senate or the White 
House. Last evening's vote regarding a so-called fiscal cliff is yet 
another example of Washington's willingness to forego making difficult, 
long-term decisions regarding spending in deference to short-term fixes 
that do not solve our looming debt crisis. That same debt crisis, that 
is the real fiscal cliff that our Nation faces; because whether we 
realize it or not, the more our Nation climbs this mountain of debt--a 
mountain we ourselves are creating--the higher the cliffs will be.
  I urge future Congresses to meet this challenge, take up the 
challenge in restoring fiscal responsibility with a renewed sense of 
vigor and urgency.
  I also want to encourage my colleagues in the 113th Congress to apply 
that same sense of urgency to another

[[Page H7573]]

issue of great national importance: immigration reform. I clearly 
recognize what a contentious issue this is, pitting two fundamental 
American values--rule of law and compassion--against each other, but I 
would suggest that making this effort is crucial to America's future.
  We need a sustained commitment to afford opportunity for all 
Americans, at least for young people, young people who, through no 
fault of their own, are now in limbo due to their undocumented status; 
young people who have been educated in our school systems; young people 
who are willing to achieve further academic excellence, who are willing 
to serve in our military and risk their lives. Can we not at least say 
that, if somebody is willing to die for America, the least we can do is 
give them a chance at life in America? I hope in the 113th Congress the 
answer to that question will be ``yes.''
  So, Mr. Speaker, I end my remarks where I began, expressing my deep 
sense of gratitude for the honor and privilege granted me to serve in 
the 112th Congress. I have been blessed with a superb staff of 
dedicated professionals: my previous chief of staff, Steve Vermillion, 
may he rest in peace; my current Chief of Staff, Javi Correoso; and my 
entire D.C. office staff. My district director, Alina Garcia, and my 
entire district office staff have all served this Congress, the people 
of Florida's 25th Congressional District, and our Nation with honor and 
distinction. My friends, supporters, and constituents have blessed me 
with their confidence.
  And finally, my gratitude to my family, and particularly my mom, 
Daisy, who is a saint, whom I love dearly, and who has sacrificed 
everything so that I have the opportunity to serve and achieve the 
American Dream. Only in America can a child of a political refugee, a 
kid born on the wrong side of the tracks, grow up and be elected to 
serve in the United States House of Representatives. America is indeed 
the greatest country mankind has ever known.
  May God bless you, Speaker, and my colleagues. May God bless the 
United States House of Representatives. May God bless the United States 
of America.

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