[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 149 (Tuesday, December 9, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H8927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2013, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Gerlach) for 30 minutes.
  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I now have the opportunity to offer remarks 
concerning my six terms of service in the House of Representatives. 
What a distinct honor and privilege it has been to serve 700,000 fellow 
citizens from southeastern Pennsylvania in these hallowed halls.
  From the moment I stepped foot in this building during freshman 
orientation back in 2002, I knew I was joining an institution that has 
been at the epicenter of landmark legislative decisions during the 
course of our Republic's history, and I knew that I would put up scores 
of historically important votes on behalf of my constituents.
  From sitting in Statuary Hall during our freshman orientation dinner, 
where the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John Quincy Adams served, to 
sitting in this Hall during my first State of the Union address, to 
meeting with the President in the White House or on Air Force One, I 
have had more than my fair share of ``pinch me'' moments in this job.
  However, the essence of the service that we all provide to our 
constituents is not the number of special moments interacting with a 
President or sitting through a historic speech. It is the honor and the 
privilege to serve every single day and in working to meet the needs, 
aspirations, and expectations of one's constituents.
  We introduce legislation, we vote on bills that come before us, and 
we undertake day-to-day constituent services that hopefully improve the 
quality of life of our fellow citizens and move our great Nation 
forward.
  The majority of this work is done outside of the political limelight 
and is rarely reported on by the media, but the real, important work 
that all House Members do every day boils down to being the strong and 
passionate voice for the 700,000 citizens we serve, both in this 
legislative Hall, as well through the constituent services we provide.
  I have had the great fortune of having some bills passed in both the 
House and Senate and then signed into law. Those experiences were very 
heartwarming and satisfying, but I also assisted in having constituents 
get veterans benefits or Social Security checks sent to them or their 
son or daughter receiving an appointment to one of our fine military 
academies.
  Each and every one of those legislative and constituent experiences 
has added to the richness and fulfillment I have received from my 
experience here, and so I must express my gratitude and my appreciation 
to the numerous people who have assisted in supporting me along the 
way.
  I have been blessed with wonderful supporters back home who have 
helped me through some very tough and competitive campaigns. They were 
always there to lend their energy and commitment, and I especially 
thank them for the faith they placed in me.
  I have had a terrific staff, both in my D.C. and district offices, 
who have tirelessly worked on behalf of my constituents and supported 
me in my efforts. I would particularly like to recognize the various 
chiefs of staffs I had over the years: Linda Pedigo, Guy Ciarrocchi, 
Bill Tighe, Annie Fultz Dutton, and Lauryn Schothorst. They have been 
incredibly helpful and responsible for allowing us to accomplish all 
that we have.
  On a more personal note, I would also like to thank my mother for the 
unbelievable inspiration and example she was for me over the years 
through her work ethic, her honesty and integrity, and her passion for 
civic responsibility.
  I also want to thank my two sisters, Hedy and Eve, for always 
supporting me in my decisions to run for public office and in helping 
me any way they could.

                              {time}  1830

  A special thank you to my children--Katie, Jimmy, and Robby--and my 
stepchildren--Joel, Jay, and Katelyn--for their unwavering support for 
my public life.
  Finally, I want to thank my great partner in life, my wife, Karen, 
who has unfailingly helped me and supported me in whatever public 
service decisions I have made.
  As we close out the 113th Congress, amid cantankerous partisan 
relations both here in Congress as well as in our country generally, I 
would be remiss if I did not call on all of my colleagues here to renew 
their commitment to work together across ideological and partisan lines 
to find the best public policy that will move our country forward.
  We share a common purpose as Members: to represent and advocate on 
behalf of our respective districts and reflect the will of the voters 
who have sent us here.
  But the American people want something more. They have a burning hope 
that Members, regardless of party affiliation, will work through their 
political differences and find the common ground that is the bedrock of 
our country. So now, more than ever, public service must be infused 
with the commitment to achieve and not just to argue.
  I wish all of those being sworn into office at the start of the 114th 
Congress in a few weeks the best of success as they work towards 
historic achievements in the next 2 years.
  Leaving Congress gives one time to pause and think and ask a simple 
question: Why did I come here in the first place?
  Well, the answer to that question is pretty clear to me and pretty 
simple: to provide my constituents with a strong and passionate voice 
in the legislative process, to provide a level of constituent service 
that is second to none, and to serve with honesty and integrity in all 
actions.
  As I look back, I hope and believe I have accomplished these goals, 
and I am most appreciative of all the great friends that I have met in 
my time here. But above all, I thank all of those who voted me into 
public office over the past six terms for their confidence and for 
their trust. It has been an incredible honor and a privilege to serve.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________