Honoring Congressman Henry Waxman and Congressman George Miller on Their Retirement

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady, the dean of our
delegation in California. I come to the floor with tremendous pride and
a heavy heart as we say good-bye to two of the greatest liberal
legislators California has ever known--Henry Waxman and George Miller.

I had the honor of receiving Henry Waxman's endorsement for my very
first congressional bid in 1992, but I had been an admirer of his long
before that. I believe Henry's career will be judged favorably by
history.

Going back to his cofounding of the Los Angeles County Young
Democrats with Congressman Howard Berman back in 1973, his passion for
social justice has long been storied. I have to say, as a Member from
the Inland Empire where we suffer from some of the worst air quality in
the Nation, I am grateful for Henry's commitment to clean air.

He has been a stalwart of progressive values, conducting powerful
investigations on water pollution, AIDS, and tobacco, to name a few.
Who else could have cajoled executives of tobacco companies to claim
that nicotine was not addictive under oath? Only Henry.

Let me turn to the other liberal titan, George Miller. George's work
on education and labor issues are unparalleled, from leading the effort
that raised the minimum wage in 2007 to his commitment to protecting
Pell grants and expanding college accessibility for all students.

His support of my bid to the Education and the Workforce Committee
made one of this teacher's lifelong aspirations a reality. To honor
George, I plan on renaming the committee Education and Labor when we
retake the majority.

George's passion and presence on the House floor and in committee was
powerful and will be missed.

The commitment that both these men had to the right issues, not
always the easy or popular issues, makes them true public servants and
examples for the rest of us to follow.

While there is no question that both Henry and George have earned
their retirement, the House is losing two of its fiercest liberal
voices. I am humbled to have served one term alongside these gentlemen,
but selfishly wish that I could work with them for many more years.

In departing, they are leaving big shoes for the rest of us to fill,
but I can safely speak for all of us when I say to Henry and to George:
It has been an honor.

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