Pelosi Remarks at Senator Harry Reid Leader Portrait Unveiling Ceremony
"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, Leader McConnell for your hospitality, for your kind words about our special guest. The presence of such honored guests is a potent testimony to the towering leadership of Harry Reid. Vice President Joe Biden, President of the Senate, the best and most beloved Vice President in our history – and I mean that sincerely.
[Applause]
"Secretary and Senator Hillary Clinton.
[Applause]
"Thank you for your immeasurable contributions and leadership to our country.
"Senator Chuck Schumer, an outstanding leader in his own right will build on Senator Harry Reid's legacy.
[Applause]
"When I first learned of the ceremony, I thought there would be only one musical accompaniment worthy of Harry Reid's life, Aaron Copeland's ‘Fanfare for a Common Man.' Of course, Harry Reid, unique in Washington for another reason, Harry Reid doesn't like listening to other people compliment him or sing his praises. Many of us have found that Harry has left us alone on the phone call because he has figured out the business of the call is over, and we just want to say nice things about him. ‘Harry?'
"When I learned of his, shall we say, departure – was imminent – I said, ‘Harry, we have to have a beautiful dinner in your honor and invite all of your friends from all over the country.' He said, ‘Forget that. I would rather spend the money feeding the poor or giving it to the university.' And that's how he is. This is his moment.
[Applause]
"It is really a miracle we have persuaded him to sit through all of us saying how wonderful he is. Harry, in case you're attempted to walk out from all of this praise, we have asked the Sergeant at Arms to bar the door.
"It has been my privilege to work side by side with Harry Reid for more than a decade. To observe Harry is to observe a master at work – the commitment to his values, but his respect also for his colleagues. Harry and I had many occasion to evaluate the leadership and the courage of our colleagues as we entered the fray or another. In all of my years, again, more than 10 working with Harry as leaders, he always spoke in the most glowing, respectful and understanding way about all of his Senators, and the Republican Senators as well. [He was] very respectful of everyone's point of view, the constituents they represented – never, never anything but the finest word. His respect for them was reciprocated in his repeated election as leader.
"And here we are. In every battle, in every bill, he has – anyone who has worked side-by-side with Harry Reid would say that he has been unparalleled. His leadership on the floor, his mastery of the Senate rules, his command and the respect that he has on both sides of the aisle, both sides of the cabinet, and we know up and down Pennsylvania Avenue.
"Today, we unveil a portrait one of the best the Senate has known. Indeed, it's hard to imagine, with all due respect, that we will ever see his like again. To his family, he talked about you all the time. Landra and the children and the grandchildren. He was here because of his biography, from Searchlight to Capitol police officer, to Senate Majority Leader. He was here because of his values. He was here because of his family and the strength that they gave him.
"And so, to his family, I think everyone in this room can say: we have heard about you, we know the love that he has had for you, and we hope that you always know how respected your grandfather, your father and Landra, the joy is of his life, your husband. Thank you for sharing Harry Reid with our country. We are all in your debt. Thank you so much."