Washington, D.C. --Tonight, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) delivered a farewell address to his colleagues, thanking Missouri's 4th District for the opportunity to serve and expressing his hopes and concerns for the future of our nation. His remarks were followed by remarks of Members on both sides of the aisle paying tribute to the Chairman and expressing their respect and gratitude for all that he brought to the Congress. 

Read Chairman Skelton's speech here.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.): "He made his speech the way he served in Congress, surrounded by friends, admired by all, on both sides of the aisle, on both sides of the Capitol."
 
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.): "He’s thoughtful, great intellect, faithful, patriotic; and he teared, of course, as he mentioned the troops, the men and women who serve this country in uniform, the men and women who have had no greater advocate than Ike Skelton of Missouri."
 
Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.): "He carries in his heart a love and devotion for the men and women who serve this great country of ours, and everything he has done on this great floor has been on their behalf. All men and women who serve in our armed forces owe such a great debt of gratitude to this humble, passionate servant of our country."
 
Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces: "What every mom and dad should know is that there was one more parent out there looking out for their kids, and that was Ike Skelton."
 
Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas): "If there is any new member coming here, my recommendation would be emulate the great Chairman Ike Skelton. Thank you, and thanks to the people of Missouri for sharing you for over three decades of great public service to this great country. For me, an honor; for this country, an American legend."
 
Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities: "Aside from really being the champion for the troops—and that’s how I’ll always remember you—you’re really a Congressperson’s Congressperson. You’re somebody that we model ourselves after."
 
Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel: "We are all so much better for having served with you."
 
Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.): "To say goodbye is extremely painful, but I think what we really need to do is celebrate the great gift that you gave this country."
 
John Garamendi (D-Calif.): "My seven months have been just too short, but in those seven months I have found the opportunity for friendship. Brotherhood. And the opportunity to work and to be mentored by an incredible individual."
 
Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.): "You have been special for our country. You are what every member of congress should want to be, and that is a man of great courage, a man of great fairness. You have shown me and others how important it is for us to be civil to one another, how we should talk to one another, and I hope that the example that you have set will continue on in this great body. You will be sorely missed, and we really love you."
 
William Lacy Clay, Jr. (D-Mo.): "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away, but you won’t be fading too far."
 
Todd Akin (R-Mo.): "Ike is like a big brother. He’s a big brother to everybody down here."
 
Tim Murphy (R-Pa.): "I can’t think of anybody in this House that I have more friendship and respect for than what you taught me. The people of Missouri ought to be real proud that you served them for so long. I know they are. And I’m mighty proud to have had the honor to serve with you, and a man I can always call my friend."
 
Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.): "He has been a model for what public service is all about. I know that he has several chapters left to write for what he does to give back to this country and our great state, and we look forward to seeing those for years and years to come."
 
Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.): "If I had a brother, I would like for his name to have been Ike. If I had a brother, I would like for him to have had the patience, the intellect, and the spirit of Ike Skelton."
 
Jared Polis (D-Colo.): "It was really those small things and the courtesies that he showed me that made him stand out in my mind as an inspirational leader of this body who will sorely be missed."
 
Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces: "I am certain that he will continue to serve our country in many capacities in a way that makes it better, because that’s just the type of guy he is. He cares about other people. He cares about this country. And more than anything, he cares about the troops who serve this country, and he will always be a tireless advocate for them."
 
Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: "This country and this House have been a better place because of your service."
 
Congressman Glenn Nye (D-Va.): "For Ike, the sacred commitment to our service members, their families, and our national security always supersedes petty politics."