sam rayburn used to get really worked about this. he said>> [unintelligible] we are equally important and this is very important. clinton was a great guy who cared about people, he worked hard and he was smart as all get out. he had em empathy. folks liked to be around him, even phones who said nasty things about him because he had this warmth and he cared. folks knew it. the two bushes were quite fine. to play paddle ball at the first. he's a great guy, never forgot his service in the house. i liked the first w. very much. it is just terrible mistakes. be good to him. donenk they have not enough of what i would like to see him do. himhe staff has not served as i would like to see them do. i've had the privilege of serving with some great presidents. jimmy carter was probably the -- jerry ford was probably most underrated president we had. [unintelligible] that was regrettably not to be and humphrey had the same problem. they sent out to destroy him and they succeeded. if he had three days more, i think he would have been president.

. >> when you were elected in 1955, sam rayburn was speaker of the house.yndon johnson was the majority leader in the senate. "the washing post" reminded us that rosa parks had just not given up her seat. over that period of time, what would you say legislatively your proudest moment was? two or moment or top three that mattered for you and the country and that period? and my wife, the single most important vote i the civil rights act of 1964. for the first time we addressed the problem that each american should have full citizenship. i was focused on this because i almost lost my job over this. [indiscernible] there were riots in trouble. -- and trouble. the african american were patient and nonviolent. that reallyote solve a tremendous problem. . have had others wasaffordable care act something that my dad started out with roosevelt in 1935. but of course there was a lot of -- aonmental legislation lot of other conservation. i am really a lucky guy to be blessed with a superb staff. i've had the good fortune to have members of the house in my times to men

. >> when you were elected in 1955, sam rayburn was speaker of the house.ndon johnson was the majority leader in the senate. "the washington post" reminded us that rosa parks had just not given up her seat. over that period of time, what would you say legislatively your proudest moment was? the top moment or top two or three that mattered for you and the country in that period? >> in my view, and my wife, the single most important vote i cast was on the civil rights act of 1964. for the first time we addressed the problem that each american should have full citizenship. african americans could vote just like anybody else. i was focused on this because i almost lost my job over this. [indiscernible] don remember is this. there were riots and trouble. .nd all kinds of difficulty the african american people were patient and nonviolent. that was a vote that really solve a tremendous problem. that problem was eating away at the foundation's about democracy and. i have had others. medicare was very important. the affordable care act was something that my dad star

. >> when you were elected in 1955, sam rayburn was speaker of the house, lyndon johnson was the majority leader in the senate. "the washington post" reminded us that rosa parks had just not given up her seat. over that period of time, what would you say legislatively your proudest moment was? the top moment or top two or three that mattered for you and the country in that period? >> in my view, and my wife, the single most important vote i cast was on the civil rights act of 1964. for the first time we addressed the problem that each american should have full citizenship. i was focused on this because i almost lost my job over this. [indiscernible] there were riots and trouble. the african-american people were patient and nonviolent. that was a vote that really solved a tremendous problem. medicare wasthers. very important. the affordable care act was something that my dad started out with roosevelt in 1935. but of course there was a lot of environmental legislation, a lot of other conservation legislation. i am really a lucky guy to be blessed with a superb staff. i've had the good fort

about that tonight and already have. 11 as served with presidents, congressional icons like speaker sam rayburn from texas, and had the opportunity to vote on landmark legislation like the 1964 civil rights act. he is the ultimate legislator for both michigan and for america. he's also played an integral part in ground breaking legislation like the creation of the med tear -- medicare program, the national environmental policy act, the enteenaged species act and the clean air act just to name a few. i always think of him as chairman, though. since 1996, i have been fortunate to serve on the house energy and commerce committee with john as our committee leader for much of that type. while most associate his leadership on the committee with his tenacious government watchdog activities, i saw a leader that did not fall victim to partisan politics that define the current house but instead epitomized what we are here to do, the people's business. he's a true legislator, he's truly been an honor to serve with him and ler from him and most importantly to call him friend he has a partner in his wonderf