[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6772-S6775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Tribute to Joe Manchin III
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, a few of us have some remarks to make
about the honored Senator from West Virginia. When he is finished with
his hugs, we will continue.
Mr. President, I want to say to my friend Joe Manchin, wonderful
speech. It really had a lot of meaning for me as someone who knows you
very well but also to all of us. You have touched everybody's life in
this room and many people beyond.
So I just want to say a few words about my colleague and my friend
and my fellow Senator from West Virginia, Senator Joe Manchin. In just
a few short weeks, Senator Manchin--but we all call him ``Joe''--will
be retiring from the Senate. But it is safe to say, and he has already
guaranteed us, that it will not be the last time that we hear from him.
Before he leaves us, I would just like to take a moment to highlight,
from my perspective, his impressive and successful career for the
country but particularly for our State of West Virginia.
I would also like to acknowledge Joe's better half Gayle, up there,
and his wonderful family. Gayle has endured all the hard work that
comes with public service in her own right, and I would like to
personally thank her and both of them as a great couple but also a
wonderful and beautiful family that you have. I am so happy that they
are here today.
It seems just like yesterday that Joe was knocking on my door at 1010
Wilkie Drive in Charleston, WV. He was there to measure the carpet in
the house that my husband and I had just purchased as newlyweds. This
was over 40 years ago. And he measured that carpet, and he told me
after I recounted the story to him later, he could lay that carpet
today if he needed to.
So fast forward. Today, Joe is serving in his 14th year as a U.S
Senator, after serving our State in the House of Delegates, in the
State senate, secretary of state, and as Governor. We went through a
couple tragedies, really tough tragedies, when Joe was our Governor.
And I can say, with maybe one exception--maybe my dad or they might be
equal--I have never seen such a compassionate, empathetic, and
effective Governor during really, really tough times.
So I am going to miss working side by side with him, but I know that
the relationship we have built over these years will continue for years
to come.
Joe has been the senior Senator from West Virginia for all of my 10
years of my tenure, and the reality is, I have got big shoes to fill
here. And in case I forget that, Joe reminds me of that every single
day. Sometimes we disagree. But when we disagree, we do it respectfully
and on the merits. We might disagree; we don't become disagreeable. The
next day, we get up and fight for the things we both believe in, and
that is to focus our energy on improving the lives of our neighbors.
That is how Joe sees his constituents: Everybody is Joe's neighbor.
And that is what makes him a relentless advocate for our State. We
have the same goals--all of us do--in mind of helping our States and
our constituents. And in some ways, Joe and I have served like a tag
team for our State. Sometimes he shows up when I can't get there, and
he fills in for me. I show up when he can't get there, and I will fill
in for him. And then we can come from both--we can do the double press.
We can come from the Republican side, the Democrat side, and now we got
the Independent side on our side. So we can really press, I think, and
what that does is really has West Virginia punching above our weight
here in the U.S. Senate.
It could be backing West Virginia jobs and economic development,
fighting for our coal miners, standing up for our veterans, or
addressing the challenges that face our rural communities. Joe has
always led with conviction and a very steady hand.
I don't have time to list all of the efforts and successes that we
have been able to work on together, and he has done many of these
before I got here and way before I even became a Senator: UMWA pension
bill, you mentioned that; New River Gorge Park and Preserve, huge
victory for us; economic development issues that Joe mentioned;
bipartisan infrastructure law; Mountain Valley Pipeline; Appalachian
Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub. It is interesting we have the same sort of
recall of the things that we have been able to work on--Jessie's Law
that Joe really pushed through in memory of a friend, a fellow State
Senator whose daughter lost her life in an overdose, and so many, many
more.
He has enlisted me to help steer him sometimes to get the West
Virginia victories, and I am so proud of the accomplishments that we
have had together. So thank you for that partnership, Joe. It has
really been important to me.
Aside from his love of our home State, Joe possesses many other
qualities worthy of a leader and a statesman. There is much to say
about Joe Manchin. He is a dealmaker for sure--probably started as a
salesman, yes--voice of reason, a defender, as he said, of Senate
traditions, and as Politico said, ``The most powerful man in
Washington.''
What do we think about that, Joe?
I assume Joe would just as well want to be remembered as a good and
steady friend. There are people in West Virginia who say: If you want a
friend, get a dog. I wasn't sure if I was actually going to say that in
light of your successor, but I said it anyway. I assure you those folks
have never met Joe Manchin.
Twenty years ago, I joined an all-male, all-Democrat West Virginia
delegation here in Washington. I joked with Joe that I forced them to
get out of the male restroom so we could have a delegation meeting, but
Joe was always a warm and welcoming presence. He always picks up the
phone if you need to chat; he is always ready for a joke, that is for
sure; and he has been a shoulder to lean on during personal times.
When he was Governor, Joe and Gayle Manchin invited my whole family
back to the Governor's mansion, where my parents had lived for 12
years, to show us around. It was a really special evening. It was a
simple and kind gesture that meant a lot to our whole family,
especially my mom and dad.
Years later, at my father's funeral, Joe delivered the eulogy and
talked about his good friend, my dad, whom Joe always called ``Chief.''
Joe has always been there for every West Virginia family. I will note
that sometimes Joe can be just a bit too present. When I am home in
West Virginia, he is sometimes like a shadow. I won't even tell about
the last time I saw you. He is sometimes like a shadow I can't shake.
One night many Christmases ago, I was running out of the house with my
husband Charlie, and we were late for somewhere we needed to go, but
the doorbell rings. I open the door. It is a group of Christmas
carolers. And lo and behold, there is Joe Manchin singing Christmas
carols. I don't know. They must have needed a baritone. I don't know
what happened. But he is always there, even when you don't know when
you really need him.
And my colleagues can testify, he has more energy than anybody I have
ever met. He is everywhere. He is always traveling. He has always got
that leg going too. I have noticed that. And he is always going fast.
He has a prodigious lead foot--one I have personally experienced myself
riding on motorcycles and in cars with him while traversing the country
roads of West Virginia.
There was the one time we were traveling home late at night together.
We were just going into Beckley, and I turned to Joe, and I said: Have
you ever been stopped for speeding?
[[Page S6773]]
He said: More times than you would want to know.
The reason I asked, because I saw the light in the rearview mirror.
Here he comes. The guy leans in, takes one look. The trooper leans in,
takes one look at Joe and says: Hey, Governor.
And then Joe leans over to me and says: Well, look who I have got
over here.
And the trooper says: Just be careful going on up the turnpike. But
before I leave, can I take a selfie with the two of you?
We haven't seen that.
I happened to believe every man or woman lucky enough to be elected
to the Senate embodies the unique qualities of his or her State, and
that is Joe in a nutshell, an honest, caring, hard-working individual,
with a bit of West Virginia appetite for exciting and dangerous. That
is because Joe's roots run deep in West Virginia. He is West Virginian
through and through. Never does his gaze wander from what he sees as
his moral obligation to improve the lives of West Virginians. Joe's
love of the Mountain State is the engine that powered his pursuit of
public office, and I am sure it will continue to power his efforts once
he leaves.
Joe may be leaving us, but I suspect his presence will continue to be
felt in the many lasting relationships he has created over the years of
his public service. I am even more certain that Joe will always be
available for that phone call.
So congratulations, again, Joe. It has been a privilege to serve with
you, and thank you for everything you have done for our State and our
Nation. We are very appreciative.
I yield the floor.
(Applause, Senators rising.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Helmy). The Senator from Maine.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, Senator Joe Manchin often recalls these
words of wisdom from his grandmother:
People don't care how much you know until they know how
much you care.
Knowledge and caring define Joe's public service, both here in the
Senate and as Governor of his beloved West Virginia.
He has always been knowledgeable on the issues and offers practical
solutions to real problems. He cares so deeply and so personally about
the people he serves and, just as important, about the values that
define America.
With our Nation increasingly polarized by extremists on both the far
left and the far right, Joe is something that we need more of: an
extreme moderate. As fiercely independent as the people of the Mountain
State, he has demonstrated time and again the strength to stand against
the destructive trend of hyperpartisanship, for Joe understands that
politics is the art of compromise. He knows that working with those on
opposite sides of an issue, figuring out what matters most to each
side, and negotiating in good faith produces the best legislation that
will withstand the test of time.
Joe has been such a positive force throughout his Senate service. In
2013, he was among the first Senators to join in forging an agreement
to end a destructive government shutdown that was causing so much harm
to our economy and to the faith of the American people who deserved to
have their government operating. It was a courageous act for a freshman
Senator, but he did it because it was the right thing to do.
In his firm stand--which we heard about again today--against
eliminating the filibuster, we see another example of his courage and
respect for this hallowed institution. He understands that this
longstanding tradition of the Senate protects the rights of the
minority and produces better legislation because it forces us to work
together.
Joe has also been such a dear friend, and it has been a privilege to
work closely with him on so many vital issues. After the turmoil
following the 2020 election, we joined together to lead the bipartisan
negotiations that produced the Electoral Count Reform Act.
Joe was also, as we have heard from his colleague from West Virginia,
1 of the 10 Senators who negotiated the historic Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, the most significant investment in American
infrastructure since the establishment of the Interstate Highway System
in the 1950s. He was vital in securing that long overdue victory for
the American people.
Being an extreme moderate is not a job for the faint of heart. It
means taking a lot of incoming fire from both sides of the political
spectrum. But Senator Joe Manchin never flinches, and he always puts
progress and problem-solving ahead of partisanship.
It has been such an honor to work closely with Joe on countless
issues and to call him my dear friend. And, yes, I have had some
wonderful times on that boat, the details of which will remain forever
sealed.
I wish him and his wonderful wife Gayle all of the best in the years
to come.
And I just have to say, Joe, I will miss you so much.
(Applause.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming.
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I join my colleagues in rising to
congratulate Senator Manchin on his highly successful and impactful
career representing his home State of West Virginia in the U.S. Senate.
We know he served for 14 years. Over the last 4 years, he and I
served together, and he served with great distinction as the chairman
of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I had the honor, during
those years, to work side by side with him as the ranking member of
that committee, and I would just like to say that Senator Manchin has
been a terrific partner to work with.
On issue after issue, Joe Manchin has demonstrated a resolute
commitment to bipartisanship. During his Senate career, he has honored
the most defining and sacred traditions of this very body. Under his
leadership, we have enacted important legislation, bipartisan in
nature, that will make America and our allies stronger in not just the
years but in decades to come.
Working together, we enacted the Nuclear Fuel Security Act,
legislation to rebuild America's nuclear fuel supply chain. We renewed
the compacts for free association to ensure that America does not cede
ground to China in the Indo-Pacific, and we enacted a ban on the
imports of Russian uranium to choke off the funds that Putin has used
for his war machine. And, in July--this very July--under his
leadership, we did what very few people thought was possible: We
actually advanced permitting reform legislation with broad bipartisan
support, passing the committee 15 to 4.
None of this would have happened without Joe Manchin's patience, his
persistence, and his perseverance. So I want to express my personal
gratitude to Joe Manchin and his entire family. I want to thank him for
working with Republicans. I want to thank him for his steadfast support
of the filibuster. And I want to thank him for putting the American
people and this U.S. Senate ahead of any personal or party interests.
I know I speak for many--and it was an astounding number of people
and Senators on the Senate floor for his farewell address--when I say
we are indebted to him, and we are going to miss him. He did important
work in this body. He passed impactful legislation, and he leaves us
with important lessons for the future.
We will miss you. We wish you the very, very best.
(Applause.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I want to make sure we give a little bit
of the Democratic response.
I had the opportunity to get to know Joe and Gayle--Lisa and I did--
when he was a Governor. And Joe gave this incredibly moving, important
speech today. He left out one small part, because when he was making
the decision to leave--Gayle, as you know, he has described it many
times as the best job ever--he called me. And I said: Joe, come here,
and we can do a whole lot of things.
And I say to my Republican colleagues, he was that independent streak
from his first caucus meeting. We had our caucus lunch. You know, he
did not adhere to the ``freshman should be seen but not speak.'' So he
got up, early on in the lunch, and was already complaining about the
job. He sat down, and, I swear to goodness--and, Gayle, we have talked
about this--at the end of the lunch, he got up for a second time
because he wanted to remind us that when he was Governor of the great
State of West Virginia, he
[[Page S6774]]
had two airplanes, a helicopter, and control of the whole National
Guard, and now he is reduced to a junior Senator.
Over the years, he has reminded me often of that call. As people
talked, he sometimes would complain about the process or what was
happening this week or that week on the floor. And as has been echoed
by everyone else, one of the things that Joe always stood for and has
always been about is this notion that we ought to reason together. We
have been in more groups or gangs--or whatever description you want to
have of a bipartisan association--whenever that has happened, in his 14
years in the Senate, he has been involved in every one of them.
And the list of accomplishments that you laid out and your
colleagues--our friends from the Republican side--laid out, that is a
remarkable body of work, and it is a tribute not only to your staff and
your family. It is also a tribute to the great people of West Virginia.
And, quite honestly, this country is better because of your bipartisan
work in the U.S. Senate.
And I join with all who love you and your family. We know you are not
going far. We look forward to many times of bringing us together in the
future.
And I think, at some point, you owe it to the body to acknowledge
that you are actually glad you made that change to come to this body.
West Virginia is better for it. The country is better for it. And I
know it has been a challenge at times for the family, but, at the end
of the day, I know they are incredibly proud of the great work you have
done.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.
Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, I am not going to take long because I know
we are delayed from a vote. But I had the privilege of working with
this young man from West Virginia for some time. As a matter of fact,
as the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he took
responsibility for overseeing the national parks, and he had never been
to the State that has five of them, the State of Utah. So I invited him
and his wife Gayle to come visit us in Utah and visit some of our
national parks. And we walked together and hiked together, and he made
sure that Gayle was able to make it through all of the rocks and
crevices and see the beauty of our great land, one more State.
But I have come to know this man not just by virtue of his physical
prowess but as a man of character. And a number of people have spoken
about the legislation that he has worked on, and we worked together on
several pieces of legislation and accomplished a great deal. But that
which has stood out in my experience with Joe Manchin is that he is a
man who stands by his belief. He is a man of principle and character.
And my life's lesson has been that one person of conscience and
character can change a whole nation. And Joe has had that kind of
influence on the people of his State and the people around him, the
people in this body, and the people in our Nation. And so I salute,
along with my colleagues, the great Senator from the State of West
Virginia, Joe Manchin.
Thank you, my friend.
(Applause.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I want to thank each and every one of my
colleagues--all of you. And it has been an honor of a lifetime. It
truly has been. And it is something that I will take with me for the
rest of my life. And my family will too. But I really mean this: I
think there are so many good people who are serving here and who have
served here and will continue to serve in honor and dignity and respect
and making sure that we do the job we were elected to do.
With that, let me just say to all of you, thank you for the kindness
you have showed me, the friendship. And I am not a ``big dog'' person.
So I need each one of you all to be my friend, and I appreciate that so
much.
Mr. President, before I forget, I want to ask unanimous consent to
have printed in the Record a list of all my staff for the last 14
years.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Lauren Alfred, 2011-2012; Brian Aluise, 2017-2024; D. Todd
Anderson, 2011-2014; Bianca Andre, 2018-2021; Sylvia Asbury,
2017-2025; Ryan Atassi, 2023-2025; Armando Avila, 2019-2022;
R. Taylor Barden, 2015; Michael Barker, 2012-2014; Luke
Bassett, 2019-2022; Charlotte Bellotte, 2019-2022; John
Beresford, 2020-2021; Terri Berkley, 2018-2025; Kimberly
Berry, 2015-2025; Adam Berry, 2019-2022; Anthony Bethas,
2023-2024; Emily Bittner, 2011-2013; Renae Black, 2019-2025;
Mara Boggs, 2012-2025; Christopher Bowman, 2023-2025.
Peter Bowman, 2015; Bailey Bradley, 2023-2024; Elizabeth
Breckenridge, 2011; Tyler Brewster, 2019-2021; Jennifer
Brody, 2014; John David Brooks, 2019-2025; Jordan Brossi,
2021-2023; Mary Jo Brown, 2011-2018; Robert Brown, 2022-2023;
Perrin Brown, 2022-2025; Michael Browning, 2012-2025; Jan
Brunner, 2012-2015; Emma Bryan, 2017-2023; Nicole Buell,
2019-2022; Michael Burgio, 2018; Erin Burns, 2011-2015;
Charles Byers, 2021; Megan Caldwell, 2023-2024; Douglass
Calidas, 2016-2017; Maria Camacho, 2023.
Christopher Cannon, 2015-2016; Phillip Cantrell, 2015;
Gregory Carroll, 2024; Kevin Carson, 2018-2021; Trevor
Carson, 2024-2025; Katherine Cassling, 2014-2019; Emily
Castleberry, 2010-2015; Taylor Chapman, 2023-2024; Olivia
Chartier, 2020-2023; Christopher Chiles, 2013-2016; Benjamin
Cichorz, 2016; John Conrad, 2024-2025; Alexandra Conroy,
2012-2015; Marcus Constantino, 2019-2025; Seth Coppe, 2014-
2015; Clayton Crabtree, 2012-2015; Russell Cummings, 2012;
Milisa Cutlip, 2010-2011; Alexander Damato, 2015-2017; Bryer
Davis, 2016-2021.
Roseanna Davis, 2010-2012; Jonathan Deem, 2010-2011; Jobeth
Delawder, 2018-2022; Clayton Deutsch, 2023-2025; Robert
Diznoff, 2010-2012; Sean Dzierzanowski, 2022; Marion Emerson,
2021-2022; Anna Engle, 2018-2025; Chase Farmer, 2011-2015;
Emily Farnell, 2015-2020; Grace Fennell, 2015-2016; Roseann
Ferro, 2021-2025; Sam Fowler, 2019-2025; Amelia Fox, 2021-
2022; Samuel Frazier, 2010-2011; Seth Gainer, 2018-2023;
Michael Garcia, 2017-2023; Lee Garton, 2010-2015; James
Gaylor, 2021; Molly George, 2010-2012.
Daniel Gilbert, 2013; Kelley Goes, 2011-2013; Marni
Goldberg, 2011-2012; Katherine Goldstuck, 2024-2025; Kimberly
Good, 2010-2018; William Gorby, 2014; Christopher Gould,
2010-2011; Geraldine Greene, 2010-2020; Christopher Gsell,
2014-2015; Mary Jo Guidi, 2012-2025; Phil Hancock, 2019-2021;
Jonathan Harris, 2022-2023; Peggy Hawse, 2011-2018; Clayton
Patrick Hayes, 2011-2019; Erin Heeter, 2019-2023; Lauren
Herbster, 2013-2016; Grant Herring, 2019; Christine Hewett,
2010-2022; Alex Hewitt, 2023-2025; Michael Hill, 2011-2012.
Amanda Hoffman, 2021-2022; Bridget Hogan, 2018-2019;
Madeline Hornbuckle, 2019-2020; Spenser Horton, 2022-2024;
Elliot Howard, 2016-2021; Zachary Hoyle, 2015-2018; Alyse
Huffman, 2023-2025; Paul Hutton, 2014-2015; Ainsley Jamieson,
2023-2025; Frank Jezioro, 2015-2025; Turner Jones, 2024-2025;
Andi Jordon, 2023-2025; Jordan Kahn, 2019; Christoph Keller,
2011-2012; Kenneth Kern, 2015; Sarah Kessel, 2021-2025;
Nicholas Kilmer, 2023-2025; Francis King, 2010-2011; Charles
Kinney, 2010-2011; Clara Kinney, 2023.
Chris Kofinis, 2010-2012; Jonathan Kott, 2013-2019; Wes
Kungel, 2015-2025; Jason Lambert, 2017; Sam Lane, 2023-2025;
David Laporte, 2011-2016; Charlotte Laracy, 2023-2025;
Jennifer Laux, 2023-2025; Malgorzata Lawrynowicz, 2011-2013;
Ivan Lee II, 2014-2015; Collen Lewis, 2016-2025; Carrie
Libell, 2022; Lauren Linn (Strickland), 2011-2014; Katherine
Longo, 2011-2015; Thomas Lucas, 2015-2021; Wendy Madden,
2022-2024; Leigh Maiden, 2015-2018; Amber McCartney, 2011-
2022; Katey McCutcheon, 2015-2020; Jack McGee, 2019-2024.
Keith McIntosh, 2010-2025; Joanne McLaughlin, 2010-2012;
Allison McNeill, 2014-2018; Kirtan Mehta, 2011-2015; Lisa
Michalek, 2010-2011; Deborah Miller, 2010-2014; Erica Miller,
2013; Alison Mitchell, 2015-2024; Travis Mollohan, 2010-2014;
Robert Moser, 2020; Sean Mullin, 2023-2025; Ryan Murguia,
2022-2025; Cameron Nelson, 2017-2021; Erik Neville, 2015-
2017; Ricky Nussio, 2016-2017; John O'Donnell, 2014-2015;
Maggie Oliverio, 2023-2025; Scott Olson, 2023; Jeremy Ortiz,
2019-2022; Christopher Osman, 2022-2025.
Dane Osthoff, 2023; Daniel Palken, 2023-2025; Levi
Patterson, 2022-2024; Sara Payne, 2011-2017; Claire Perkins,
2018; Jimmy Perry, 2023-2024; Bryan Petit, 2019-2023; Amelia
Petrucci, 2022-2025; Melissa Phalen, 2010-2021; Sylvia
Pletos, 2010-2011; Anne Raffaelli, 2021-2023; Whitney Ramey
Thompson, 2021-2022; Justin Ray, 2016-2018; Angela Retton,
2019-2020; Daniel Roberts, 2010-2011; Kathleen Roberts, 2022-
2025; Lauren Roberts; 2011-2012; Andrew Robinson, 2021-2025;
Hayden Rogers, 2013-2015; Holly Rooper, 2019-2020.
Alyssa Rosa, 2024; David Rosner, 2022-2024; Samantha
Runyon, 2015-2023; Sakala Rutherford, 2012-2014; Aaron
Scheinberg, 2019-2021; Jessica Sell, 2012-2016; Janice
Sessing, 2017; Julian Sham, 2023-2024; Chris Sharer, 2018-
2025; C. Scott Shepard, 2012-2014; Logan Shomo, 2019-2023;
Charles Shull, 2024-2025; Nora Simon, 2024-2025; Janna
Simonsen, 2023-2024; Jennifer Smith, 2015-2017; Audrey Smith,
2019-2025; Benjamin Spurlock, 2020-2023; Peter Stahley, 2019-
2024; Lorea Stallard, 2012; Rory Stanley, 2019-2023.
Sarah Stevenson, 2023; Maria Stonestreet, 2012-2022; Jimmy
Strawn, 2024-2025; Sarah Summers, 2024-2025; Hannah Sztorc,
2022-2025; Thomas Tarka, 2013; Caitlin Teare, 2011-2012; Ryan
Thorn, 2017-2022; Melanie Thornton, 2019-2025; Jessica Tice,
2017-2018; Chris Tishue, 2010-2025; Beau Tremitiere, 2012-
2014; Zahava Urecki, 2016-2025; Brie Van Cleve, 2019-2023;
Logan Van De Water, 2022-2025;
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Aurelyn Van Kirk, 2023-2025; Sarah Venuto, 2016-2019;
Benjamin Vester, 2020-2024; Sarah Waddill, 2024-2025; Carol
Wallace, 2010-2011.
Kimberly Waller, 2012-2013; Angela Walsh, 2012-2022; Nick
Ward, 2014-2015; Lance West, 2012-2023; Aidan Whitler, 2022-
2025; Deborah Whitler, 2022; Christopher Williamson, 2012-
2013; Kadey Witter, 2015-2017; Raymond Wittlinger, 2011; and
Michael Youngson, 2015.
Mr. MANCHIN. Again, I say thank you. God bless you for the
opportunity and experience of a lifetime. And I love each and every one
of you.
(Applause.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
Mr. CARDIN. Joe, we are letting you have the last word here.
____________________