Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, joined Minority Whip Steve Scalise in honoring Congressman John Shimkus last week.
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Madame Speaker, I rise today to talk about my friend, John Shimkus.
John is the embodiment of a statesmen. His life is the definition of service and protecting the Constitution – a graduate of West Point, served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves, and as a member of Congress.
For over a decade, it has been a pleasure to sit next to him on the Energy and Commerce Committee. The committee and the House are losing an invaluable resource. His knowledge on energy and environment policy cannot be rivaled. Talk to anyone in these halls and they will tell you about John’s passion for nuclear power and ensuring that Congress keeps its commitment to Yucca Mountain.
I have traveled a few times with John to Yucca and appreciate his leadership on this issue. John understands that it is impossible to imagine a zero-carbon future without a component of nuclear energy. As policy makers we must be realistic about the need for long term storage for spent nuclear fuel.
It is sad that come next Congress the halls will not be filled with the smile or leadership of John Shimkus. I will keep up his fight for a cleaner future and encourage fellow members to do so in John’s honor.
John, thank you for your service. I wish you and Karen a joyous start to this next chapter in your lives.
