[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ACKNOWLEDGING CONGRESSIONAL SPOUSES

  (Mr. Larson of Connecticut was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my 
fellow townspeople of my hometown of East Hartford.
  In what was a heartbreaking loss for them in the primary on September 
11, I wanted to especially thank them for the number of thank-yous, the 
cards, and the media attention that I received from all of them from 
the bottom of their hearts.
  Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to rise and at the same time acknowledge 
someone who rarely gets thanked. Mr. Speaker, I think this is true of 
most Members of Congress. The people who often don't get the praise 
they richly deserve are the spouses.
  Having gone through several elections--having been here for what will 
be 28 years--I can't think of anyone who did more on behalf of me and 
my children and, frankly, the First Congressional District and this 
great country of ours than my wife, Leslie.
  Why do I say that? Like most spouses, Mr. Speaker, they do their job 
quietly. They do it without recognition. They do it because of their 
belief in the spouse who is running, but also to nurture their 
children.
  Oftentimes, they are viewed as an appendage. Oftentimes, they are the 
ones who don't get the attention, nor do they ever seek it.
  My wife is a master gardener, and she is incredible. She knows more 
about soil and soil content and the right kind of fertilizer, and what 
to do. Our backyard and front yard are ablossom with flowers and 
vegetables that come from her nurturing and caring.
  Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? None of those flowers or those plants 
or the gardening ever say thank you. They don't speak at all. What she 
revels in is how she is able to take them from seedling to flowering--
without a thank-you and without applause.
  It is the same way that she has stood by me over all these many years 
of public life and, also, our children, who she had to nurture and to 
explain after September 11 what was happening in Washington, D.C., and 
whether Dad was okay.
  It is spouses who give up so much of their lives on behalf of the 
elected officials that they represent. They do so willingly. They don't 
complain. They never seek the footlights. They never truly receive the 
thanks that they richly deserve.
  More than a master gardener, my wife, Leslie, has been there for me 
and my children and has done so persistently, even when things have 
been tough and even when there is unfair scrutiny and expectation.
  I don't think Congress does enough, Mr. Speaker, for our spouses. In 
fact, we seem to have done less and less over the 28 years that I have 
been here. There ought to be more recognition for the true sacrifice 
that they have made. I don't think there is a Member here in the body, 
married, unmarried, or whatnot, who can think of people who have 
sacrificed more than the loved ones who they represent.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today--and I will submit remarks later for the 
Record--to thank my wife, Leslie Larson, for her continued support and 
love for me but, as importantly, for her children, the community she 
lives in, the great State, and, of course, this great Nation we all 
love.

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