[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12276-12277]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         NEVER CAN SAY GOOD-BYE

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I just want to echo the 
sentiments on this side of the aisle about our sadness regarding the 
departure from this wonderful institution of our dear colleague, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
  In my 20 years of elective office, I have served every one of those 
days with my colleague, Carrie Meek. The Congresswoman from Florida has 
been a distinguished member of every institution I have had the 
pleasure to serve. In the Florida house we served together. We moved 
together to the Florida senate, and then we served here in the U.S. 
Congress.
  In those many years, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) has 
distinguished herself as a dedicated public servant, carrying the water 
on so many items of interest to south Florida and, indeed, our Nation; 
because I think her legacy extends far beyond her Liberty City 
district, far beyond our Sunshine State, far beyond our borders. She 
leaves a legacy of leadership, of dignity, of dedication, and a real 
sense of community service.
  Carrie, we are going to have you to kick around for a lot of years. 
You are not retiring; you are going to be in our

[[Page 12277]]

hearts and you are going to be in our community for many decades to 
come. I cannot imagine serving here without you. So every day when we 
are voting, you will be a part of this institution, you will be a part 
of our body, you will be a part of our legacy. Asi que te va vamos a 
estranoi, mi amiga. You are my friend. We have traveled many a hard 
road together, and we will continue that struggle together for many 
more years. You are not leaving, so we are not going to say good-bye. 
Adios, mi amiga.

                          ____________________