Wasserman Schultz Statement on Ros-Lehtinen Retirement

Washington, DC, April 30, 2017
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is an incredible public servant and a dear friend. She has served South Florida for 38 years with honor and distinction, and unfailingly defended the unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States; she is easily one of Israel's strongest allies in Congress. The irony is that Washington today is castigated for being too partisan, and a place where no one can get along. But Ileana's warmth and love for life is infectious, and friendship and finding common ground were her calling cards.

(Sunrise, Fla.) - U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement on today's news that Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will retire from Congress at the end of her term:

"Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is an incredible public servant and a dear friend. She has served South Florida for 38 years with honor and distinction, and unfailingly defended the unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States; she is easily one of Israel’s strongest allies in Congress. The irony is that Washington today is castigated for being too partisan, and a place where no one can get along. But Ileana's warmth and love for life is infectious, and friendship and finding common ground were her calling cards.
 
I am proud to call her a close friend and to have worked with her on tough issues as varied as protecting Florida’s roads and beaches, to collaborating on Haitian policy and LGBTQ rights. She’s always been willing to take the tough stand, and do what was right. It’s been an honor to serve with her in Congress, and play alongside her on a softball field in the Congressional Women's Softball Game, where we served as co-captains. She will be sorely missed, not just as a voice for Florida, but throughout Congress and the rest of the country. Mis mejores deseos mi companera y mi amiga."
 
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Contact: David.Damron@mail.house.gov or 202-906-0542