[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3067-H3071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING FORMER CONGRESSMAN PAUL MITCHELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join several of my colleagues 
tonight to recognize our former colleague, Mr. Paul Mitchell.
  Paul was recently diagnosed with cancer, and so many of us wanted to 
send our well-wishes that we decided the best way we could do it was 
from the well of the House, a place that Paul Mitchell loved and spent 
so much of his time.
  Paul represented Michigan's 10th District in our State's thumb from 
2017 until his retirement just this year. In that time, he proved 
himself to be the kind of principled, practical leader that Michigan is 
known for.
  Paul knew that the path to good government runs through reaching 
across the aisle. The proof is in his record. Paul was intentional 
about ensuring key legislation be introduced in a bipartisan fashion, 
and the folks he drew to his legislation ran the gamut of the political 
spectrum.
  Paul was an advocate for students, for investing in innovation, and 
for

[[Page H3068]]

economic development. Whether you were on the left or the right, Paul 
worked with you to get things done.
  These days, some might call that behavior an independent, being a 
maverick. But to us, that was just Paul.
  When he announced his retirement in July 2019 in order to spend more 
time with his family, we, of course, wished him all the best. But I 
also felt a twinge of sadness in losing a funny, charming, and humble 
servant leader.
  He charted his own course in Congress as both a legislator and a 
friend. His presence is deeply missed in this Chamber.
  Earlier this month, we received the news that Paul had been diagnosed 
with renal cancer. Weeks before, he had had emergency surgery to remove 
a mass and a blood clot that had moved to his heart. His doctors at 
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital estimated a 10 percent chance of survival, 
but true to form, Paul pulled through.
  I am happy to announce that last night Paul went home to his family 
in Dryden. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him, one that will 
require things like physical therapy and immunotherapy, but Paul is 
approaching his recovery with a typical can-do approach.
  We want to send him all of our love and all of our strength for 
recovery, those of us who spent so much time with him. Here assembled, 
we have members of the Michigan delegation and members of the Problem 
Solvers Caucus, two groups that spent a ton of time with Paul Mitchell.
  Mr. Speaker, it is, therefore, my privilege to turn the floor over to 
some of those friends to recognize him in the place that we know he 
loved so much.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin).

                              {time}  1745

  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Slotkin for yielding 
and for organizing this Special Order in honor of our dear friend, Paul 
Mitchell.
  Mr. Speaker, I represent parts of Macomb and Oakland counties. And 
during my first term in Congress, Paul and I shared representation of 
Macomb. Paul represented the northern part; I represent the southern 
part. And while there were plenty of policies we disagreed on, there 
were a lot of things we connected on, too.
  We wanted to bring better water infrastructure to Macomb. And, Paul, 
I am still working on it, and we are going to get there.
  We talked about our shared history in the workforce world. Paul was a 
real leader in workforce policy through his company, and I used to run 
the State workforce system in Michigan. And he was a real leader and a 
thought leader in that area. And, Paul, I am trying to carry that on as 
best I can, too, as we look towards WIOA reauthorization.
  And when we did spar over policy positions, it wasn't mean-spirited. 
In fact, it was really close to my ideal of what it means to serve in 
this body. It was real, honest debate, the kind I was happy to have and 
honored to have.
  Paul and I now share one more connection, and it is one we didn't 
share. As a two-time cancer survivor, I know what it is like to get 
that diagnosis, and I know the stress and the pain that Paul and his 
family are facing. It is something I wouldn't wish on anyone, and I am 
devastated that they have to go through it.
  I want Paul to know that Mary and I are thinking about you and 
praying for you as your treatment begins, and that I am here to lend an 
ear or even talk through this experience, the same way that you did for 
me when I was just coming to Congress. You were one of the most 
generous colleagues I knew.
  Mr. Speaker, I was lucky to have a neighbor like Paul Mitchell, and I 
look forward to the day we can celebrate your remission, Paul, and 
joust happily once again over the issues of the day.
  God bless you.


                             General Leave

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Virginia 
(Ms. Spanberger).
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear colleague from Michigan 
for putting together this Special Order for us to talk about our former 
colleague--and for so many of us--our friend, Representative Paul 
Mitchell.
  Mr. Speaker, I first had the opportunity to meet Representative 
Mitchell on the floor of the House when his youngest son was visiting. 
We were on the House floor, entering our cards in for a vote, and 
Paul's son wanted to help push the voting button for different Members. 
Paul, at that time, was a Republican; I am a Democrat. And if you gave 
your card to Paul's son, he would invariably vote with the Republicans, 
regardless of who you were. So there were quite a few engaged Democrats 
who thought they were being so kind letting a child vote, who had to 
run over to the well right behind me to change their vote, because, 
indeed--I believe he was 10 at the time--a 10-year-old had somehow 
mischievously voted incorrectly.
  Paul was simultaneously delighted by what was a bit of a funny 
experience on the House floor, but also a little bit embarrassed that 
people were running over,
  That was Paul. He would bring, and does bring, joy to every meeting. 
He is a serious person, focused on policy, focused on truth, on 
reality, on the things that matter to him, which were: his incredible 
career in business, on his wonderful family, eminently proud of his 
children; and, particularly, always willing to draw on his personal 
experiences in business, as a parent--as a parent of a law enforcement 
officer--to find commonality and to advocate for the things that he 
believes in.
  And during our time in Congress, I was so grateful to serve on the 
Problem Solvers Caucus, or to be part of the Problem Solvers Caucus 
with Paul, where invariably during our weekly meetings, he would be a 
jovial part of those meetings, focused on the hard work of legislating, 
but also on bringing a bit of humanity and commonality to the people 
gathered around the table, sometimes engaging in very, very difficult 
conversations.
  Paul made the very hard decision to retire after his terms in 
Congress. It was one that, as a friend, I heard him talk through the 
pros, the cons, whether he was ready to leave this place. A place that, 
while he was here, he so deeply loved, and a place where I believe as a 
colleague, I saw him make a significant impact. But ultimately, with a 
young child at home, a beautiful farm with lots of sheep, and a renewed 
interest in a love of racing, Paul did decide that it was time for him 
to retire.
  Since his retirement, I have been a friend who has been on the 
receiving end of so many photos, as I am sure so many of our colleagues 
here have been, of snowy days on the farm in Michigan, beautiful views 
of the water, and race cars.
  As a Virginian, we have a NASCAR racetrack just on the line of my 
district--I generally like to claim it. And Paul was scheduled before 
his diagnosis to come to Virginia for a race. And I just thought how 
hysterical is that for a man I used to talk hard policy issues and 
debate policy and disagree--sometimes very fervently--with is now going 
to be literally racing through my district--or just adjacent--in his 
race car.
  So I look forward to the time when Paul--because he is a fighter, 
regardless of any diagnosis--I think we know that he is intent on 
getting back in his race car, back to his farm, and certainly 
continuing to be engaged and focused.
  I look forward to the time when we could welcome him in Virginia for 
him to race around the track. I am unsure whether or not I may choose 
to enter into that vehicle with him, but I might stand on the sidelines 
and cheer.
  Mr. Speaker, Paul was an incredible friend. He was an incredibly good 
Member of Congress, because at every moment, he just was focused on 
what was right. I know that is how he was in business, in his personal 
life before he came here. I know that is how he continues to be.
  Certainly, as a new Member of Congress, witnessing someone who has 
always genuinely shown kindness and heart, every conversation he had 
here in the Halls of Congress was a great example to me. I am so proud 
to have

[[Page H3069]]

served with him during his time in Congress, but far more than that, I 
am deeply honored to call Paul Mitchell a friend, a real friend, and 
deeply honored to know that he is someone who will always stand up for 
truth, who will always stand up for what is right, who will always 
stand up for his family, for his friends, and for his country.
  So my dear friend, I wish you the very best as you continue in your 
recovery. We are all thinking of you. I am so grateful for your 
friendship.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Mr. Mitchell, we will now start 
going Democrat-Republican, Democrat-Republican to demonstrate our 
bipartisanship.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Meijer).
  Mr. MEIJER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the great State of 
Michigan, and I guess, I would thank Paul for all of the service he has 
given this body, has given our country, has given our State.
  The morning when I was supposed to first meet Paul, was the same 
morning that he announced that he was not running for reelection. He 
defined that spirit of making decisive moves.
  It is no secret that for the freshman class who have entered, the 
past 6 months have been less than normal. I take the assurances of my 
colleagues, who have been in this body for many terms, that what we 
have seen so far has been atypical. But I cannot thank Paul enough for 
the example that he set, for the wisdom that he shared, and for his 
perennial, ever-blunt honesty.
  All too often people, especially politicians, can walk and dance and 
do a jig around the truth. And Paul was always incredibly clear about 
where he stood and what he believed. So I am grateful for the 
friendship that I have been able to develop with him as a freshman, and 
I look forward to many more of those moments.
  I want Paul and his family to know that he is in our prayers. My 
wife, Gabrielle, and I will keep him in our prayers. The challenges 
that he is dealing with are being felt by too many, but I am proud to 
call him a friend as he continues to fight on.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Upton).
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for doing this, and I 
am sorry to sort of jump people in line, but we are in a committee 
markup, so I have to get back.
  Mr. Speaker, I have to say that my friend, Paul Mitchell, grew up the 
eldest of seven kids. Literally, a natural born leader of the pack. He 
was the first of his extended family to graduate from college. He has 
noted that his mom raised him to believe that those with talents and 
resources were expected by God to make a difference in the world. And 
by God, he did.
  Tenacious and focused like a laser beam, he set and met goals. A 
scrappy fighter, he has now met his most formidable foe, that is for 
sure, and he is all in for that fight.
  And in a text that I got from him a little bit earlier today, he 
said, ``as you know, I am one tough cuss.''
  Yes, Paul, you are. And you know what, everybody knows it--not only 
your Republican and Democratic colleagues, but certainly the former 
President, and probably all of your constituents back in Michigan as 
well. You are a tough cuss.
  Yesterday, my colleague, Diana DeGette, and I introduced a discussion 
draft called 21st Century Cures 2.0.
  Mr. Speaker, 392 of us in this Chamber, including Paul, voted for the 
21st Century Cures enacted in 2016, which expedites the approval of new 
drugs. This bill that we are working on now, 2.0, could well indeed 
speed the approval of new drugs even faster. So it indeed could be the 
very lifeline for Paul and so many like him--thousands of Americans and 
around the world--that somehow are impacted by this terrible disease 
that we all want to survive.
  Paul's life is characterized by exceeding expectations, defying the 
odds. And we know that is what he intends to do now, for sure. And if 
anybody can, it is Paul. So we are with you, Paul--you may be 
watching--every step of the way. All of us.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record Paul's farewell address that he 
stated back in July of 2019 as part of this tribute.

Representative Paul Mitchell's (MI-10) Floor Remarks on Wednesday July 
                                24, 2019

       Madam Speaker, America is an amazing place and we too often 
     as Americans take that for granted. Opportunities exist in 
     this country that simply aren't available in much of the 
     world. And my life is an example of the many possibilities in 
     the United States of America.
       I ask you: Where else can a kid born into poverty, 
     beginning life in a subsidized housing project, become a 
     national legislator? Yet--here I stand as a Member of 
     Congress.
       In how many countries can the oldest of seven children with 
     parents that were an hourly autoworker and a Salvation Army 
     office manager become the first in their extended family to 
     graduate from college, build a career and become CEO of a 
     major workforce development company and, after retiring, be 
     elected to Congress?
       America is truly a unique and special place that we must 
     love and respect with all our heart and soul.
       My mother raised me to believe that those with talents and/
     or resources were expected by God to make a difference in the 
     world. I have tried to do that throughout my life.
       My mission for 35 years was to assist people in identifying 
     and securing career opportunities. My professional career 
     allowed me to support my family while assisting adults of all 
     ages and backgrounds develop skills to support their families 
     and build careers.
       I assisted individuals ranging from laid off steel workers 
     and autoworkers to long term public assistance recipients 
     develop the skills they needed to secure a job and build a 
     new career.
       I worked with individuals requiring literacy education or 
     ESL and adults that had worked in the same job for years and 
     suddenly found their jobs and industries had evaporated, and 
     their lives turned upside down.
       I worked, in some way or another, with tens of thousands of 
     people searching for assistance in securing a job and a 
     career path.
       I believed then, and I continue to believe, that most 
     Americans find value and opportunity in working--sometimes 
     they just need a hand and assistance to overcome adversity.
       I brought that passion and commitment to Washington. I was, 
     and remain, committed to making a difference in the world. I 
     literally approached being a Member of Congress like my 
     earlier career--full tilt and leaving no stone unturned to 
     have a meaningful impact, and to make a difference on issues 
     where I could.
       It is an honor to stand on this floor, debate issues, and 
     represent the people of Michigan's 10th Congressional 
     District. I am proud to be among the 12,500 or so Americans 
     that have had the privilege of serving in Congress.
       But I have also begun asking myself about making a 
     difference for my family. My children of all ages--but the 
     youngest just nine years old--have accepted their dad 
     traveling this country extensively, working a demanding 
     schedule, and frequently interrupting ``family time'' with 
     calls, emails and text messages. My spouse Sherry has been so 
     supportive and more patient than probably warranted.
       A career in Washington has never been my objective. My 
     objective has always been simply to work to address 
     significant challenges this nation faces: health care, 
     immigration, and infrastructure for example.
       However, it appears to me that rhetoric overwhelms policy, 
     and politics consumes much of the oxygen in this city.
       The time has come to make a difference for my family--to 
     focus my time and energy upon them--their needs and goals.
       As George Washington is quoted: ``I would rather be on my 
     farm than emperor of the world.''
       As a result--I have decided I will not seek to continue to 
     represent Michigan's 10th District next term. After serving 
     out the remainder of the 116th Congress--I will return to my 
     family and our small farm..
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Elissa, again, for organizing this 
time for many of his friends that would like to say a few words tonight 
and push him forward to get to that finish line and come back.
  God bless you.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).
  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman 
Slotkin, for organizing this tribute session to our friend and former 
colleague, Paul Mitchell.
  It is very symbolic of what it is like to be a member of the Michigan 
delegation. There are 14 of us--7 Democrats, 7 Republicans--
representing a State of just a little over 10 million people. And yet, 
we come together time and time again to champion matters and issues for 
our State, whether it is the Great Lakes or veterans' issues or our 
automotive industry.
  Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing here today. We are 
standing up for our friend who is in a fight--a fight against cancer. 
And we are doing it on the floor of the House of Representatives, for 
this man loves the floor of the House of Representatives.

[[Page H3070]]

So there is no place more symbolic than this to tell Paul, ``You have 
got this.''
  Sherry, you have got this. And to your kids, who I know you love 
dearly, we are standing by you every step of the way.

                              {time}  1800

  Paul was certainly a champion not only for the legislative process 
and the business of doing government right by people, but he was a 
champion for Michigan. And if you hear his words, if he has talked 
about his experience, his recent diagnosis, you hear Paul saying: This 
was a gift from God. This was a gift from God.
  Even when it got scary, because he is getting a little bit more of 
life. He is getting more of a chance to continue to push and to stand 
up for what he knows he has worked his life for, which is the creation 
of his wonderful family, and being in the State he loves so dearly.
  Paul, I will just tell you, I have so many fond memories of you. I 
have fond memories from learning from you on this very floor. I have 
fond memories of being at Chrysler with you, which was really exciting 
for a first-term Congresswoman to be alongside you, seeing the new 
vehicles, and having discussions with the workforce at Chrysler in my 
district, but I know you have many Chrysler employees in the Michigan 
10th District as well.
  So those are the memories and those are the things that we celebrate 
with your service and also with your continued dedication. So it is a 
real privilege and honor to be here with my colleagues, telling you, 
Paul: You have got this, you are going to keep going, and we are going 
to keep fighting another day.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Reed).
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I truly thank my colleague for organizing this 
Special Order this evening for our friend Paul Mitchell.
  Mr. Speaker, I come here this evening with no prepared remarks other 
than to make some comments, as shared by my colleagues about this great 
man.
  Paul Mitchell is truly a friend. Paul Mitchell is someone I have 
gotten to know over the years here in Congress, and watched him develop 
in his own right. I watched him become a very serious and astute 
legislator. I watched him join the Problem Solvers Caucus that we 
started, and many of the colleagues have talked about the Problem 
Solvers Caucus.
  Paul came to us from leadership, and in that process he did some 
things, because that is a very special club, and we have some very 
special rules and commitments to each other. In order to fulfill those 
commitments and those terms of honor in serving in that caucus with our 
colleagues, he demonstrated publicly, privately, and to our fellow 
members of the Problem Solvers Caucus what it means to be an honorable 
Member of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I will tell you, for that, I was forever grateful to 
have been in a position to encourage Paul to join the Problem Solvers 
Caucus. And he, in particular, one day exhibited that very limited 
leadership quality that is so lacking here in the United States House 
of Representatives today, in my opinion. He showed true courage, true 
statesmanship, true leadership.
  I just have to tell you, Paul, as we got the news about your 
diagnosis--and I am speaking to you directly here from the floor, 
Paul--we all immediately came to your side. We all, immediately in our 
thoughts, in our prayers, in our bond of friendship, stood with you and 
your family. And we are standing with you and your family as you go 
through this next chapter of your life, and please know that you are 
not alone.
  To you and to your family, as a Member of this body, as a member of 
the Problem Solvers Caucus, as a member serving your country, as a 
great citizen, we all stand with you and your family as you go through 
this ordeal that you face.
  That being said, I join with my colleagues in saying, We know Paul 
Mitchell. We know your heart, Paul. We know your tenacity and your 
perseverance. And we know you are going to get through this, and you 
are going to get through this in a way only Paul Mitchell can get 
through it.
  So as we come here today to give some fine words on behalf of you, 
Paul, and on behalf of your family, know we are also sending more than 
words. We are sending our shoulders to cry upon; our shoulders to lean 
upon; and, as you have exhibited over the years, even a shoulder to 
laugh upon during this difficult time.
  And it is those lessons of life that you taught me, serving with you 
here in the House, that you cannot take life too seriously; that life 
is too short.
  That is why, as my colleagues noted, Paul retired to be with his 
young family and his other children, to make sure that he kept his 
priorities straight.
  And you did, Paul. You put your family, you put your health, and you 
put your future first in regards to the time of your life to make that 
decision to retire from this body.
  So I am just humbled to be here with my colleagues. I truly thank my 
colleagues on the Democratic side and on the Republican side for coming 
here tonight to honor one of our best from the U.S. House of 
Representatives, Paul, and that is you. And for that, we will be 
forever grateful to be able to call you a friend; a colleague; and, in 
the end, a survivor.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Reed for those heartfelt words.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips), 
another member of the Problem Solvers Caucus.
  Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan and all 
my friends for this Special Order hour.
  Paul, you might not know this, but you are an important mentor of 
mine, one of the most important mentors I have had in my brief career 
in this Chamber. You represent the very most precious and sometimes 
rare of attributes in the U.S. Congress, and that is principle.
  You are a man of principle at a time when our country needs that and 
you more than ever. You are a man of great intelligence and success and 
decency and empathy and honesty and integrity.
  I remember my first conversation with Paul, we were speaking about 
higher education. And it was that conversation that reminded me that we 
can learn so much more from people of different perspectives than we do 
from those who are cut from the same cloth.

  And when Paul made the difficult but very principled decision to 
become an Independent at the end of his career here in Congress, he 
wrote a letter to the House Clerk to announce the change in 
affiliation, and the last line of the letter read: ``While admittedly 
symbolic, we all know that symbols matter. We all know that symbols 
matter.''
  And when you retired from Congress, Paul, you said: ``I can't begin 
to express to you how difficult it is to say something like `I am done' 
because I have never been done before.''
  And let me tell you, my friend, you are not done yet, and we sure as 
heck are not done with you. We love you, Paul, and America joins me in 
sending our love to you and yours as well.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Phillips for his heartfelt 
words.
  In conclusion, Paul, as you can imagine, we, of course, had our 
schedule changed 12 different times today. There are many, many more of 
our colleagues who are submitting official notes for the Record, and 
who are stuck in various places and will reach out directly.
  But to you and your family, for the legacy that you left in this 
place, please know that we see you, we recognize you, we believe in 
your will to fight, and we are behind you 100 percent.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for joining on both sides of the 
aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman, and I wouldn't 
have missed this.
  We have an Energy and Commerce markup that continues on.
  I guess through the chair to Paul, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to 
encourage you, and express through the chair, Paul, my deep 
appreciation for you as a friend, as a colleague, as a fighter.
  Though I have not heard all the comments of my colleagues, I am sure 
that they have said to you: We love you. We are pulling for you, for 
Sherry, for the

[[Page H3071]]

family. We are in your corner. But we also know that you are the one 
who has to fight this; and friends sometimes feel that, in a very 
unique way, it is a helpless feeling.
  As we think about you and pray for you, and as a co-chairman of the 
Congressional Prayer Caucus, you probably ought to expect that I am 
praying for you, and I will. I am praying that God will give you 
strength, patience, endurance, and even a joy in the process of what 
you are modeling to your family as you go through this.
  I know you are a tough guy. We have had our verbal battles together 
all the time, and I am not even going to admit today that you may have 
won on a few occasions. I know that you race cars, and you race cars 
not to lose, and you race cars to take that victory lap after you went 
through the checker flag. And right now we are expecting you to race, 
to give it your absolute best, to use all the resources necessary to 
continue on because your life is important to your family, to your 
friends, and to those of us who look on.
  If we admit, though you are going through a physical challenge that 
none of us are going through right now, but in the reality of life, 
none of us on the floor right here now have any more certainty about 
any longer time given to us than you have. I might not make it 
tomorrow. So it is important that we buy up the day that we have. And 
my prayers are that you are doing that in the challenges that you face, 
Paul, in the disappointments, in the discouragements that come, and the 
dark hours at night.
  Yet there is someone. And I am not saying this to you simply because 
I am a preacher, even though I have gone to the dark side. I am saying 
it to you because my relationship with the Savior makes it possible for 
me to look to the future, whatever that future means, with hope, with 
certainty. The Jesus who I hope is a spirit I exude to my colleagues, 
my friends, my neighbors, and to you tonight, Paul, is the same one who 
said: I come that you might have life and have it abundantly.
  He is the same one who came to die for each of us and understands our 
needs. He is the same one who said: I am the resurrection and the life. 
He that believes in me, though he die--and we all will--yet shall he 
live. For whosoever lives and believes in me shall never abide in 
death.
  That is an eternal thing. And, Paul, you and I have talked about 
those spiritual things as well. Pull on to your faith. You and Sherry 
pull on that faith. Let it strengthen you. Let it encourage you. Let 
the loving, loving Savior who gave himself for you and me and everyone 
give you the strength to battle on, to go on that racetrack of 
challenge and whatever, to find a certainty that in Him there is an 
eternity, there is an eternity that begins here and now.
  Paul, we love you. I love you. I will be praying for you. I am 
counting on you to do everything you can. I am counting on your family 
to be blessed because of the example you are setting. But I am also 
saying to you that we are going to keep on supporting you. God bless 
you, brother.
  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Walberg for those kind words.
  Paul, I hope you know the strength that we are sending you, all of us 
on both sides of the aisle. We feel it, we have been talking about you 
and Sherry and the kids constantly. And we hope that from our convening 
on you, you feel that strength and the power to fight back and beat 
this thing.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.

                          ____________________