[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17653-17654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE CONGRESSIONAL CLASS OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, as the 111th Congress comes to a 
close, it is fitting for us to recognize our Colleagues who will not be 
joining us in January for the start of the 112th Congress. 
Specifically, 19 of my classmates from the incoming Congressional class 
of 2008 will be moving on to new endeavors, where they will undoubtedly 
achieve great success and distinguish themselves, just as they did 
while serving their constituents and the American people in this body.
  For the outstanding legislative accomplishments that we achieved 
during their tenure, I would like to recognize these representatives 
and thank them for their service: Bobby Bright, Ann Kirkpatrick, Betsy 
Markey, Alan Grayson, Suzanne Kosmas, Walt Minnick, Debbie Halvorson, 
Frank Kratovil, Mark Schauer, Dina Titus, John Adler, Harry Teague, 
Michael McMahon, John Boccieri, Steve Driehaus, Mary Jo Kilroy, Kathy 
Dahlkemper, Glenn Nye, and Tom Perriello.
  Each of these members has been instrumental in formulating and 
implementing policies that serve the best interests of the country and 
that will continue to shape our future for generations to come.
  These colleagues--while their service, intellect, and companionship 
will be missed dearly--can look back on these last 2 years in Congress 
and take pride in the historical legislative achievements of which they 
were a part. The Class of 2008 can take heart in the knowledge that our 
legislative achievements helped pull the country through some of its 
toughest times. You were instrumental in the passage of landmark 
legislation such as:
  Health Care Reform, ensuring that the wealthiest country in the world 
gives all of its citizens an opportunity to receive decent care and 
ending the worst insurance industry abuses.
  Wall Street Reform, promising the middle class that Wall Street 
executives will never again jeopardize their savings, retirement, or 
livelihood.
  The Recovery Act, providing the investments necessary for the 
American economy to create new jobs while saving existing ones, and to 
spur economic activity while laying the groundwork for long-term 
growth.
  The Congressional class of 2008 can also proudly look back at other 
important accomplishments such as the: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; 
Credit CARD Act; Children's Health insurance Program Reauthorization 
Act; American Clean Energy and Security Act; Student Aid and Fiscal 
Responsibility Act; Hire Act; Cash for Clunkers; Small Business Jobs 
and Credit Act; Disclose Act; and Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
Health Services Act.
  Congressional scholars have called this Congress ``one of the most 
productive'' in history. Thanks to your hard work and vision, for the 2 
years, we have been a part of a Congress that has looked forward, 
rather than backwards, and has always put the middle class first.
  In closing, I would like to thank each of these members for their 
extraordinary commitment to public service and wish them the best of 
luck in their future endeavors, which I and my Democratic colleagues 
hope one day includes a return to this body.

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