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Floor Speech
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair is now honored to invite the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, to address all Members.
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Ms. EDWARDS. I thank the Speaker so much for giving your time out of your incredibly busy schedule. You are always really generous with your time for the former Members. Thank you so much.
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Ms. EDWARDS. We appreciate that, Mr. Speaker.
The Chair now recognizes the Honorable Barbara Comstock of Virginia, who is president of the Former Members of Congress Association to address the Members.
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Ms. EDWARDS. I want to add my congratulations to FMC's past presidents and to thank them for their role in creating this incredibly important vibrant and impactful organization, which is a perfect transition to the next part of our agenda focused on FMC's work in 2025 and our vision for 2026.
With that, the Chair, again, recognizes FMC's current president, Barbara Comstock, to offer her remarks.
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Ms. EDWARDS. Thank you, Barbara, for this report of FMC's work in 2025. I hope you all will take the time, as Barbara said, to read the more in-depth narrative.
We are proud of all that has been accomplished this year. We, FMC staff and leadership, have spent a lot of time thinking about FMC's role celebrating America's milestone next year, America250-- specifically how FMC can engage audiences across the country and even overseas in a discourse about our representative democracy as part of the Nation's semiquincentennial celebration.
As part of our contribution to America250, we want to engage in a dialogue with many different audiences, and we want that dialogue to be credible, inspirational, genuine, and motivating. FMC's exceptional deliverable is an insider's view on the Article I branch and an unparalleled experience of living the notion of consent by the governed.
FMC's first articulation of how we view our contribution to America250 celebration is actually starting right now. We have asked a bipartisan group of former Members to deliver 1 minutes as part of our report to Congress and to share with the public what makes this institution so special and important.
We realize that Congress is not perfect. Nothing is. However, we also know, like no others, how challenging a public service each and every current Member performs, no matter the party. We are in awe of the tremendous power of the Article I branch, and we want to give encouragement and inspiration to the next generation as we are looking back on 250 years.
With that, I will recognize from this chair a bipartisan group of former Members who have asked to deliver short remarks about their experience serving in this august institution. I realize that other Members in the Chamber may want to speak as well, but in the interest of time, we will have to confine this part of our presentation to the Members I already have on my list.
I now recognize the Honorable Barbara Comstock of Virginia for 1 minute.
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Ms. EDWARDS. I now recognize the Honorable Kathy Manning of North Carolina.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Larry Bucshon.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Dan Kildee of Michigan.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Fred Upton of Michigan.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Val Demings of Florida.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Larry LaRocco of Idaho.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Tim Petri of Wisconsin on behalf of Cliff Stearns of Florida.
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Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair recognizes the Honorable L.F. Payne of Virginia.
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Ms. EDWARDS. Thank you all for these really wonderful insights, anecdotes, and celebration of the Article I branch. You have given us the perfect setting as FMC commences the America250 programing.
I now recognize Barbara Comstock, again, for concluding remarks.
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Ms. EDWARDS. Thank you so much, Barbara, for this report. Most importantly, thank you for your thoughtful and exemplary leadership of the FMC.
The Chair again wishes to thank the Former Members of the House for their presence here today.
On behalf of FMC, I thank all the congressional staff who have helped make today's presentation every year possible. You have been a terrific resource, and we really appreciate all you have done.
The meeting stands adjourned.
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