This entry has been updated.
Ladies and gentlemen, Your fresh speaker.
BREAKING: Rep. Paul Ryan wins enough votes to become the next Speaker of the House, the roll call continues.
— Associated Press (@AP) October 29, 2015
On Thursday morning, House Speaker John Boehner was ready to hand over his duties to Republican Paul Ryan. But before handing the gavel over to his friend from Wisconsin, Boehner said goodbye to his colleagues – taking a box of Kleenex with him.
Boehner reflected on his childhood growing up on a farm and how he learned the value of demanding work. He started his first job at the age of 9 as a newsboy, earning just $2 a day. Come back next week. This will be the first time since then that he will remember being unemployed.
“The People’s House is the embodiment of the American dream,” Boehner said. “Everyone here has a mission.”
“Thanks to this, the institution has become more open to people,” he added.
Boehner reflected on what he considers his greatest achievement as a speaker: helping more children get an education. Earlier this week, Boehner was asked what his best day in office was. He said the day he and his colleagues implemented vital programs to expand educational opportunities.
The departing speaker thanked his colleagues on the aisle, as well as Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer for working together.
Boehner’s speech wouldn’t be complete without the Ohio representative cracking a few jokes. At one point, he made fun of his colleagues and journalists who need to “dress better.” He especially targeted people who didn’t wear ties.
Boehner became earnest again, thanking his constituents for their efforts on his behalf. He had one particular newborn man in mind: Paul Ryan. Ryan placed lawn signs during Boehner’s first congressional campaign in 1990.
“Paul was called to do something,” he said. “I know he will serve with grace and energy.
“You can do anything,” he said. “If you fall, you can get up and do it again.”
When he stepped onto the podium for the last time, his colleagues gave him a standing ovation.
Boehner had to mention that there have been more than a few tears in his career.
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said.
MP Cathy McMorris Rodgers then introduced Ryan’s name as the House prepared to vote, again noting that he did not want to hold such a powerful position. Rather, he was called to lead.
“He didn’t seek this office,” she said. “The office was looking for him.”
After another standing ovation for Boehner, Pelosi handed the gavel to Ryan. The fresh speaker thanked his extended family for coming out to support him and then praised his predecessor for “acting with real class.”
Ryan said he felt “the weight of responsibility” but shared real hope for change.
“If there is ever a time for us to stand up, this will be it.”
He said that under his leadership, the House will not rush to pass bills. He wants committees to take a leading role in legislation.
“We have to get back to normal,” he said. “We don’t repeat people’s voices, we represent people.”
Congress’s admiration for Ryan was evident in the smiles on both sides of the aisle. This is largely due to his sense of optimism and calls for unity.
“Let’s pray for each other,” he suggested. “Republicans pray for Democrats and Democrats pray for Republicans.”
