[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 22904-22905]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       THANKS AND BEST WISHES FROM THE HONORABLE DIANE E. WATSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I offer my thanks to Barbara Lee, who is 
the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and I want to read to you 
something I will leave to every Member and staff of this House:
  ``A happy wish for you to receive only the best that this season 
offers! I thank you for making my experience here one of learning, 
training, and developing legislative solutions. My motto is `lift as 
you climb,' so that is why I am so pleased that California Speaker 
Emeritus Karen Bass will take my place. So, with that said, I 
appreciate knowing you.''
  I want you to know how privileged I have felt serving in this House. 
As I conclude my 10th year, I go back to Los Angeles to see if I can 
find another job. I always said that, you know, I can't keep a job.
  As you heard, I started out teaching school, and I became a school 
psychologist. That was the most important

[[Page 22905]]

work I could do because I was able to analyze with the young people 
what it took to give them a quality education and improve their 
behavior for improving their lives.
  Then serving in the California Senate for 20 years and chairing the 
Health and Human Services Committee, I could guide and fashion 
legislation that would benefit all Californians.
  Then to be able to represent the United States of America abroad was 
one of the highlights of my life, never thinking that I could rise to 
that level, but it happened. And then crowning my public service, 
serving here in this House.
  I want to thank my colleagues, I want to thank the staff, and I want 
to thank my friends for the privilege you have given me. And I would 
say to you, so long for now. Hope to see you again next year.

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