thom rumberger represents that kind of person who always respected the other person's point of view, so when it was time to draw up the solution to whatever the problem was, then the parties could come together and find that consensus. now, that has been sorely lacking in washington around this country. we saw a shining little moment yesterday and today. yesterday on the house of representatives with an overwhelming vote, today on the floor of the senate with an overwhelming vote to start the process of deficit reduction. and it's folks like thom rumberger that we ought to be looking to in how they have demonstrated their community service instead of what we have seen play out over the last several months. and so thanks to the selfless commitment of folks like thom, america's everglades will be restored for the benefit of future generations, and so it's not just florida, it's america that owes thom a great deal of gratitude. and my bride, grace, of 40 years, who has known thom almost as long as i have, joins me in thanking him and his wife, debbie, for their many, many contributions