“I want to thank each and every Member of the House of Representatives for their support and their work. I would like to ask them to strive valiantly and dare greatly, and offer this last this small piece of advice: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night”, said Bentivolio. Note: He will be sorely missed in Congress!
On December 12, 2014 Representative Kerry Bentivolio of Michigan asked permission to address the United States House of Representatives a last time after losing his bid for re-election in 2014:
“Madam Speaker, over the last 2 years, I have had an opportunity that is rare. I was given the task of representing my community in the House of Representatives. During that time, it has been a privilege to see our democracy in action up close. It has been an honor to serve with all of you.
In this, my last message on the floor of Congress, I want to remind all of you that we are here to serve the people, not special interests. If I have made any impact on any of you, I hope it is this: the job of a Member of Congress is to protect our rights, not take them away.
I want to thank each and every Member of the House of Representatives for their support and their work. I would like to ask them to strive valiantly and dare greatly, and offer this last this small piece of advice: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”
Source: Congressional Record
Note: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night” – First line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823, and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who acknowledged authorship in 1837 of the work: “A Visit from St. Nicholas“, also known as “The Night Before Christmas” and “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” .
Source: Congressional Record