[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            OPENING REMARKS OF THE HONORABLE JOHNNY ISAKSON

  (Mr. ISAKSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, 
distinguished Congressman John Lewis and all of my friends in the 
Georgia delegation, I am very honored and privileged to be here today.
  I am particularly honored that 150 of my closest family members are 
in the gallery. I have the most wonderful family a man could have and 
the most wonderful friends in the world. And anytime you get 65 percent 
of the vote, there are a lot more than 150 folks back home that helped 
you. But I could not be prouder than to be associated with and to 
represent these people.

                              {time}  1030

  I am sure there are probably a lot of wise words I ought to say 
today, but I can only really think of two things that seem appropriate. 
One is an admonition I got from a great friend of mine by the name of 
Carl Harrison who on the first day of my swearing in to the Georgia 
House of Representatives said, ``Johnny, the best way to learn is to 
keep your mouth shut.'' And so I intend to be a very good listener and 
learn.
  And then from my father and mother who always admonished me to do 
what was right and always talked about Mark Twain's great quote: ``Just 
do what's right. You'll gratify few but you'll astonish the rest.''
  I will do the very best I can to do what is right in the service of 
my State and in cooperation with you. I am well aware that to all of 
you I am nothing more today than the fellow that replaced Newt. I hope 
in the years to come I will be a respected friend and one who joined 
with you to make a difference for the United States of America.

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