[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 4367-4368]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 WELCOMING THE HONORABLE DAVID W. JOLLY TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as dean of the Florida delegation, it 
is my pleasure to welcome the newest Member of this proud body, 
Congressman David Jolly.
  Today is a significant progression for David, from staffer to elected 
Representative; a progression beginning from his many years working for 
his

[[Page 4368]]

community as a staffer for our esteemed late colleague, Congressman 
Bill Young.
  I am confident that David has returned to these Halls to ensure that 
Bill's legacy is carried on, one of extraordinary constituent service, 
as well as his unwavering respect and civility for all of us in this 
Chamber. I also know that David will, in his own words, ``bring his own 
deep desire and drive to get things done for this country.''
  David is a fifth-generation Floridian, and is joined in the gallery 
today by his rightfully proud parents and family to mark this momentous 
occasion. I am certain that he will work hard to maintain that 
sentiment with each of them, as well as his constituents in Pinellas 
County. He is a welcomed addition to our Florida delegation familia--a 
fresh and strong voice for our Sunshine State and our great Nation.
  Before I yield to my distinguished colleague, Corrine Brown, let me 
also say that just like you, David, I, too, won a special election to 
fill the seat of a legend of this institution, so believe me when I say 
that having big shoes to fill should be seen as both an exceptional 
honor as well as an exceptional opportunity.
  Congratulations, and welcome from all of us.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown).
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome our newest 
Member to Congress and to the Florida delegation.
  As I am sure he already knows, Congressman Jolly has big shoes to 
fill. Bill Young was a true statesman who put the needs of his district 
and our home State above politics, and Florida is a better place to 
live because of it.
  I always say, to whom God has given much, much is expected. When you 
are born, you get a birth certificate, and when you die, you are going 
to get a death certificate, and that little dash in between is what you 
have done to make this a better place.
  I am looking forward to working with the Congressman to make Florida 
and the United States the best that it can be.
  I also want to say that the St. Petersburg mayor is here, Rick 
Kriseman; welcome.
  Congressman Jolly, welcome to the United States House of 
Representatives.
  I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Jolly).
  (Mr. JOLLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank you and my new colleagues. Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen and Ms. Brown, thank you very much. To the people of Florida's 
13th Congressional District, I want to say thank you today for giving 
me a remarkable life opportunity, the opportunity to serve.
  For my new colleagues, I simply want you to know two things about 
this new Member. First, I believe in this institution, the people's 
House. I believe in all that is good and right about this institution, 
the opportunity that this institution has to make our Nation better, to 
direct our Nation down the right path, to solve problems for all of us, 
and to secure for every American the sacred blessings of liberty.
  The second thing I would like you to know about this new Congressman 
is I believe in civility. I had a wonderful opportunity to work for a 
man with whom you each served, and he left an indelible legacy in this 
House--one of civility. We are all elected to fight for our communities 
and to fight for our constituents. We are elected to fight for our 
convictions, for the causes we believe in, but it is a fight for the 
future of our country; it is not a fight against each other, and I know 
that.
  We have had a nationally watched race. That race is over, and now it 
is time for me as a Member of Congress of this body to join with each 
of you to follow in the footsteps you have made in serving your 
community as I begin to serve mine.
  You have my commitment today to work with each and every one of you. 
I look forward to it. I look forward to working with each and every one 
of you, and I would like to say thank you one more time to my friends 
and neighbors and my community, Florida's 13th Congressional District, 
that has given me this honor today. God bless each and every one of 
you.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for this moment.

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