[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15088-15089]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1910
 WELCOMING THE HONORABLE THOMAS MASSIE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. 
Rogers) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[[Page 15089]]

  I have the distinct honor and privilege of representing the Kentucky 
delegation as we welcome our newest member, Tom Massie from Lewis 
County, Kentucky.
  Thomas earned two engineering degrees from MIT. He founded SensAble 
Technologies, Inc., based on his invention that made computers easier 
to use, raised over $32 million of venture capital, created 70 jobs, 
and obtained 24 patents. Then he came home to a farm in Kentucky to 
raise his family.
  Ten years ago, he and Rhonda, his high school sweetheart, moved back 
home to Kentucky to raise their four children where they live on a farm 
in rural Lewis County, Kentucky.
  But you can't keep a good man down. He wanted to be of service to the 
public, and he ran for the county executive's job in Lewis County on 
the Ohio River, and, of course, won that race. That was in 2010.
  Now we are honored to present to you, in a minute, the newest member 
of the Kentucky delegation representing the Fourth Congressional 
District.
  Before I introduce Tom, let me turn to my colleague, Mr. Yarmuth, 
from the Third District.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Thank you, Mr. Rogers. I appreciate this opportunity.
  For those of us in the Kentucky delegation, Kentucky always comes 
first, and I appreciate this opportunity to welcome Tom Massie and his 
family to the House of Representatives and also to the Kentucky 
delegation.
  Tom has very big shoes to fill. He steps in the shoes of Geoff Davis, 
who honorably served that Fourth Congressional District for a number of 
years. He now has the responsibility of representing about 20,000 of my 
former constituents, and I think 15\1/2\ holes of that hallowed golf 
course which he now has in his district.
  I want to welcome Thomas and his family, thank them for their service 
in advance, congratulate them on their election, and also invite Tom to 
join the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, which is one of the most popular 
caucuses in the Congress.
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. It is now my great pleasure to recognize and 
yield to the new member of the Kentucky delegation, Thomas Massie.
  Mr. MASSIE. First, I'd like to recognize the great service of 
Congressman Geoff Davis for the State of Kentucky. He served us well, 
and those are some very big shoes to fill.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Chairman Rogers, for the 
introduction.
  Tonight I have in the gallery my family. My grandmother is here, my 
mother is here, and my four children, but most of all my wife, Rhonda, 
is here. I need to thank them for their loving support through all of 
this.
  I'm honored to represent the great people of Kentucky's Fourth 
Congressional District. I'll be a staunch defender of the Constitution, 
an unwavering advocate for personal liberties, economic freedom, and 
fiscal responsibility. I look forward to working with all of the 
Members of this House of Congress to advance these great American 
principles, thereby ensuring a prosperous future for our country.
  Thank you. May God bless America.
  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.

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