[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H9739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INSIGHTS FROM 16 YEARS OF SERVICE IN CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, several years ago, I ran into a former 
Member of the House and asked him whether he missed it. He answered: 
``I don't miss the circus. I miss the clowns.''
  Now that I am in my final days as a Member and have reflected on my 
16 years here, I am going to tweak that line. I won't miss everything 
about the circus, and I will miss many but not all of the clowns. I 
also now understand why so many people are afraid of clowns.
  I definitely will miss speaking on the House floor, so I will use my 
last appearance in this historic space to talk about what I will and 
won't miss.
  I will miss the feeling that I am part of history, if not always 
history I would brag about.
  I will miss the constant reminder that I have served in the same body 
as Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, John Lewis, and so many other amazing 
Americans.
  I will miss the serious, thoughtful, and often noble discussions 
about how we can make a positive difference in the lives of so many 
Americans, even if we rarely make as big a difference as we would want.
  I will miss the give-and-take of policy debates, even though I know 
there was never a chance the debates would change anyone's mind.
  On the other hand, I won't miss the reality that most of our 
rhetorical firepower is preaching to our respective choirs and that too 
much of what we say comes from the devils and not the angels of our 
natures.
  I won't miss the constant emphasis on raising money and the apparent 
conviction of some that only gobs of money can persuade enough voters 
to win elections.
  I won't miss the frustrating reality that we rarely move quickly 
enough to deal with the challenges of a fast-moving world and the fear 
that if this body doesn't figure out how to work more expeditiously, we 
will continue to frustrate our citizens.
  I will miss many of my colleagues, some of whom are now among my best 
friends and, yes, even some from across the aisle. They have broadened 
my perspective and reinforced my belief that, with all of our flaws, we 
are essentially decent and caring people who try to find better ways 
forward for our country. I respect them and thank them for their 
service and friendship. They are definitely not clowns.
  I have so many other people to thank as I leave this body. Of course, 
I must thank my family for encouraging me to do this work and for 
excusing me for missing so much of their lives, and in recent years, my 
grandsons, J.D. and Rory, for being constant reminders that what we do 
here has implications far beyond the moment.
  I will be eternally grateful to the people of Louisville, who have 
given me the extraordinary honor and responsibility to represent them 
here.
  As a former staffer, I knew that a great staff is essential for 
success. I have been blessed with phenomenal staff members throughout 
my eight terms. Thanks to every one of you.
  I am also grateful to the staff of the House Budget Committee, which 
always made me look more competent and knowledgeable as the chairman 
than I otherwise would have.
  Thanks to all the House support staff, who serve quietly and 
effectively to keep this body functioning.
  Thanks to the Capitol Police, who protect and defend us and who 
showed the world on January 6, 2021 how brave and selfless they are.
  Thanks to all of my committee chairs and ranking members whose 
examples kept me from screwing up any more than I did.

  Thanks and praise to Democratic leadership, Speaker Pelosi, Steny 
Hoyer, and  Jim Clyburn, for their friendship, trust, and inspiration.
  Finally, I thank the person who has been with me every minute of my 
16 years in the House. If Julie Carr is not the best chief of staff 
ever to serve here, there is no better model to emulate. I often said 
that if she left me, I would retire the next day. Luckily, she stuck 
with me, and now she will also leave the House after 25 years of 
service to me and others.
  The citizens of Louisville are, unbeknownst to them, much better off 
because of her work, and I was a better Member because of her 
intellect, judgment, dedication, and friendship.
  Thank you for everything, Julie.
  I will leave the House proud of my work, grateful for the opportunity 
to serve here, and committed to continue to serve our great country and 
its people.
  For the last time, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman yields back his time, and I 
thank him for his service.

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