one of the statements made at if pekin is good enough for that senator, peoria is good enough for me. my thoughts go out to his son and daughters and vicki, who orinne's death, became a loyal companion. -- you get toh meet some great people in this chamber. one of those that i will always cherish was my opportunity to become friends with leader bob michel. i yield my time back to congressman lahood. >> thank you, congressman shimkus, for those wonderful words for leader michel. i yield to congresswoman cheri a with, who shares peori me, as much time as she may consume. >> i join with my illinois speak to recognize the life and legacy of a great man who dedicated his life to service. for decades, the hard-working men and women of peoria were proud to have bob michel fighting for them in the united states house of representatives. even though we were from opposite parties, i learned a lot from bob michel, had been a friend of my family for decades. like a lot of men and women from his era, bob michel believed in america to his core. he believed in the midwestern values that have made ou