[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9734-H9735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FAREWELL TO CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Conway) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CONWAY. Mr. Speaker, while my service in Congress has been brief, 
it has been the privilege of a lifetime. When Congressman Devin 
Nunes'--who was my Congressman--district was redistricted away, I felt 
that perhaps my prior service as a county supervisor, as the minority 
leader in the California State House, and as a Presidential appointee 
might lend me some expertise to finish the term for Congressman Nunes 
and represent the constituents of California's Central Valley.
  I must say that I felt very welcome here by the California delegation 
on

[[Page H9735]]

both sides. I had served with many of them in other capacities, so I 
felt very welcome.
  I want to mention very quickly my staff, my prior staff, and my staff 
now. They know once you have served with Ms. Conway, you are a staffer 
for life.
  I also want to thank the staff of this building. Even coming here 
today I got a little turned around. I know where I am going 
politically; I am just not sure of the building. So all the staff has 
been very gracious. I think they actually all know me by first name: 
the effervescent Ms. Conway.
  When I was sworn in, I promised the good people of California's 
Central Valley that they would be the only special interest I 
represent. I hope they believe that I kept my word.
  Congress is not a particularly popular institution right now, and a 
good dose of the criticism is well-deserved. Serving in Congress 
doesn't make you a hero and should not break any privilege except the 
privilege of serving this country. Instead of citizen-legislators, we 
have many professional politicians today, and perhaps some Americans 
would prefer that more Members served just 6 months, like I am, rather 
than for decades.
  Nevertheless, I have always had a healthy respect for anyone who puts 
themselves out there and runs for public office. We need public 
servants to develop good ideas for solving problems, to present these 
ideas to their communities, and to advance those solutions in Congress.
  In short, this country--the leader of the free world--is worth the 
conversations, the efforts, and the fights that happen here and on the 
campaign trail, notwithstanding all the messy unpleasantness that goes 
with the process.
  As Americans it is easy for us to forget how rare and precious self-
government has been throughout the world. Each and every day that I 
have stepped into this historic Capitol, I have stood in wonder and awe 
of how truly amazing this place is and how truly amazing the 
opportunity is to serve this country.
  In Washington I have found that despite all the current bitterness in 
Congress--I am getting a little emotional--there were a range of 
issues, including the California water crisis, in which there is a good 
chance for bipartisan cooperation.
  Moving forward, I urge my colleagues to explore every possibility to 
work together on water, wildfires, energy, and other pressing issues, 
knowing that families are counting on us to solve the big problems that 
impact them daily.
  As my service nears its end, I would like to thank my family. They 
did not take the oath of office, but they have certainly shared with me 
in this. My heartfelt appreciation--and I use the word heart--goes to 
my husband, Craig, who actually, 8\1/2\ weeks ago, had a heart 
transplant and is doing well thanks to God; my sons, Anthony and Tim; 
and my dear grandchildren, Caine and Autrey. I also can't forget our 
dog, Jake, who doesn't miss me, but I do miss him a lot when I am here.
  Finally, I would like to say a few words about my constituents back 
home. The Valley's agricultural communities work hard to feed the 
Nation. Most people buying their produce, meat, and milk at stores 
throughout the country have no idea where that food comes from or all 
the effort it took to get it to them.
  Maintaining the well-being of these communities is a national 
security issue. Unfortunately, many Americans will only realize that in 
the most dramatic way if conditions in these communities become so 
difficult that people simply decide they can't continue working and 
growing any longer.
  In California, especially lately, Silicon Valley gets all the 
headlines. While I am sure the tech executives deep down inside are 
nice people and they are smart people, they don't feed a lot of the 
families.
  The Central Valley of California is the main pillar of our Nation's 
food chain. Its residents are my heroes. They are people who get up 
every day, go to work, pay their taxes, worship at their place of 
choice, and donate to charity when they can. I think all they really 
want to accomplish is to live their best life and maybe go to their 
kids' or their grandkids' soccer games on the weekend. Most people 
don't live and breathe politics like we do, but their work ultimately 
funds everything we do in Washington, and we can never forget them and 
that we are here with the single purpose of serving them.
  So I would like to sign off by expressing my love and pride in the 
people of California's Central Valley who sent me here in the first 
place and to whom I shall return.

                          ____________________