my name is l.f. payne and was elected an hour ago in the board meeting to be the president of the former members of congress. so someone said that i am the second virginian ever to be inaugurated as president in this building, the first was george washington in 1789. so it's a big deal to me to have this job and i want to thank all my colleagues who voted for me, and i do very much look forward to it. i did want to thank tone -- tonio and the board for allowing us to be in this wonderful venue, this wonderful room. thank for you hosting us. thank you to aarp who has been such a good partner for us and has supported us in this endeavor and many others. and tonight i have the opportunity as my first action as president to bestow on two distinguished members of congress an award that the former members of congress bestow from time to time on people who do something that's unusual, and that is these are people in the congress or former members of congress who actually do extraordinary things that are hel