[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17675]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE CONGRESSIONAL CLASS OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                         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, 16 of my classmates from the incoming Congressional class 
of 2006 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 accomplishments that we achieved during their 
tenure, I would like to recognize these representatives and thank them 
for their service: Harry Mitchell, Phil Hare, Carol Shea-Porter, John 
Hall, Charlie Wilson, Patrick Murphy, Steve Kagen, Paul Hodes, Ron 
Klein, Baron Hill, Michael Arcuri, Zack Space, Chris Carney, Ciro 
Rodriguez, Brad Ellsworth, and Joe Sestak.
  Each of these members has been instrumental in formulating and 
implementing policies that serve the best interests of the American 
people and that will continue to shape our future in a positive way for 
generations to come.
  These colleagues of mine--though their service, intellect, and 
companionship will be missed dearly--can look back on these last two 
years in Congress and take pride in the historical legislative 
achievements of which they were a part. The Class of 2006 can take 
heart in the knowledge that our legislative achievements assisted in 
pulling the country through some of its toughest times, marked by the 
housing crisis, financial crash, and ensuing recession. 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 to the American people that the greed 
of Wall Street executives will never again jeopardize their savings, 
retirement, or livelihood.
  The Recovery Act, providing the funding necessary to establish a 
foundation upon which the American economy could create new jobs while 
saving existing ones, and spur economic activity while investing in 
long-term growth.
  The Class of 2006 can also proudly look back at other important 
accomplishments such as: Housing and Economic Recovery Act, Emergency 
Economic Stabilization Act, Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, 
Energy Independence and Security Act, Genetic Information 
Nondiscrimination Act, Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay 
Act, Credit CARD Act, Children's Health Insurance Program 
Reauthorization Act, American Clean Energy and Security Act, Small 
Business Jobs and Credit Act.
  The 110th and 111th Congresses acted boldly to confront pressing 
challenges; we worked hard, put in long hours, and prolifically passed 
vital pieces of legislation. Congressional scholars have even called 
the 111th Congress ``one of the most productive'' in our nation's 
history. Thanks to your hard work and vision, 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 includes a return to the House.

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