[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H7282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FAREWELL TO THE HONORABLE JOE PITTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, in my hand is a book, 
``Congress: The Chester County Line'' written by Wayne C. Woodward. A 
portion of the foreword reads as follows: ``From the very beginning of 
our great Nation and the first American Congress, Chester Countians 
have served their southeast Pennsylvania constituents in the United 
States House of Representatives. Not all have been nationally known 
leaders or internationally renowned legislators, but, by and large, 
Congressmen from Chester County have played a major role in American 
history.'' That was written by Richard T. Schulze, member of the United 
States House of Representatives, serving from 1975 to 1993.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Congressman Joe Pitts, who has 
served Chester County, Lancaster County, and Berks County with 
tremendous distinction for the past two decades. Whether it was his 
legislative focus and advocacy involving religious liberty, life, 
health care, land conservation, or focusing on those issues at the most 
local level, Joe Pitts' legacy and achievements as a legislator will 
prove lasting in the history of Chester County and this Congress.
  My predecessor, Jim Gerlach, serving in the neighboring Sixth 
Congressional District, commented: ``I had the good fortune of working 
with Joe from my first years as a State legislator in the PA house all 
the way through my last year in Congress. During those 24 years, Joe 
Pitts was a steady and committed voice for conservative principles and 
policies that are the bedrock of our economy and society. He cared 
deeply about his constituents and country, and he always voted for what 
he believed was best for both. In short, he was a principled leader who 
worked hard every day to do the right thing, and his leadership will be 
missed.''
  Joe Pitts' predecessor in Congress, occupying what is commonly 
referred to as ``the Pennsylvania Dutch seat,'' Congressman Bob Walker, 
commented: ``Joe Pitts has distinguished himself and the district he 
represents with his congressional service. He has become an 
acknowledged leader in healthcare policy, and his human rights work has 
won worldwide claim. I have been proud to call him my congressman for 
the past 20 years, and wish Joe and Ginny the very best in the years 
ahead.''
  This book, ``Congress: The Chester County Line,'' was written in 
1992. There will be a day when a second book about the history of 
Congress and Chester County will be written. We don't know who will 
write it, but we do know there will be a chapter on the service of Jim 
Gerlach and on the service of Bob Walker; and there will also be a very 
long chapter, rich in content, on the contributions that Joe Pitts has 
played in American history for the betterment of this country, for the 
betterment of Chester County, Berks County, and Lancaster County.
  Congressman Pitts, I wish you the very best as you retire, and a long 
and healthy retirement to you and your family. God bless you.

                              {time}  1115


                   Farewell to the Honorable Bob Dold

  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, when I came to Congress, 
as I suspect when most new Members come to Congress, you tend to look 
around for those Members who you can take a little something from to 
improve yourself and to see what they do and also what they don't do.
  Congressman Bob Dold is finishing his second term. I would like Mr. 
Dold to know that I have taken a great deal from him. I find him to be 
a very honorable man and a friend who has served with purpose, a 
positive attitude, and is partisan-free. He is a great example of how 
to serve in this body effectively, with distinction, and with a great 
attitude.
  I wish Congressman Dold the very best in all his future endeavors.


                Farewell to the Honorable Richard Hanna

  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Richard Hanna, serving New 
York's 22nd Congressional District, is retiring. I want to commend 
Congressman Hanna on his thoughtfulness, independence, and courage of 
convictions. I find him to be a great example of how to serve in this 
body honorably, and I wish him and his family the very best in his 
retirement.


               Farewell to the Honorable Mike Fitzpatrick

  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Mike 
Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District is 
retiring. His brother, Brian, has big shoes to fill to serve in Mike's 
place.
  When I came to Congress, one thing that you would always hear in 
political circles is that Mike Fitzpatrick, while serving in Congress, 
never stopped being a Bucks County Commissioner. What that really means 
is, while he came down here to focus on Washington and issues important 
to this country, he never stopped spending time in Bucks County, 
serving the district with distinction.
  I wish Mike Fitzpatrick the very best in retirement and thank him for 
his mentorship during my first year in Congress.

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