HONORING CONGRESSMAN BILL POSEY

On 2026-06-08, Representative Brian Babin (R-TX-36) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING CONGRESSMAN BILL POSEY" in the House.

HONORING CONGRESSMAN BILL POSEY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3978-H3982] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1930 HONORING CONGRESSMAN BILL POSEY (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Haridopolos of Florida was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. ) Mr. HARIDOPOLOS. Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart today, we recognize our former colleague of 16 years here in the House of Representatives, Congressman Bill Posey. Sadly, on May 9th he passed away surrounded by his lovely family, led by his fantastic wife, Katie; and their two children, Cathi and Pam. We have many Members here tonight who would like to express their not only condolences to the family but, of course, talk about his success serving our country, State, and community. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), chairman of the Science Committee. Mr. BABIN. The first thing I would like to say is I appreciate this Special Order for our good friend, sponsored by my good friend, Mike Haridopolos, who is representing that great district on the Florida Space Coast. Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of our friend and former colleague, Congressman Bill Posey. For more than a decade in Congress, Bill faithfully served the people of Florida's Space Coast with integrity, humility, and a deep love of his country. Before coming to Washington, he dedicated years to serving his community in local and State government, always guided by the belief that elected [[Page H3979]] officials should answer first and foremost to those that they represent. Today, I remember Bill not only as a colleague but as a good friend. For eight years, my wife Roxanne and I were neighbors across the hall from Bill and his wife Katie. Bill and Katie were the kind of friends who were always there when you needed them. Roxanne and I used to joke that if you ever needed to borrow a cup of milk or an egg in Washington, we knew exactly where to go, and that was across the hall. Bill represented one of the most fascinating districts in America: home to Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Over the years, I made many trips to Florida's Space Coast, and Bill was always very, very proud to show me around. We attended launches and events together. We marveled at America's achievements in space exploration. We shared dinners, including Florida rock shrimp. As an east Texan, I wasn't sure what a rock shrimp was. Bill convinced me they were worth trying, and he was right. Bill's enthusiasm for America's space program was contagious. He understood better than most the importance of innovation, exploration, and maintaining our Nation's leadership in space. He championed the men and the women whose work keeps America at the forefront of discovery and inspired future generations to reach for the stars. Bill, as a young man, even worked on the Apollo program in the late sixties and early seventies, and he shared those experiences with me. Many people may not know that Bill was also a race car driver. That adventurous spirit never left him. Whether he was racing down a track or advancing America's space program, Bill approached life with energy and determination. He was a fierce champion of keeping America's science, space, and technology secure from our adversaries' prying eyes as well. Roxanne and Katie became the closest of friends over the years, and that friendship is something that our family will always cherish. For those who served alongside Bill, they will remember not only his accomplishments but also his no-nonsense conservatism and his presence. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and our prayers are with Katie, his family, his friends, former staff, and countless Floridians whose lives were touched by his long service. Bill Posey was a good man, a faithful public servant, a great friend, and he will be deeply missed. I am jealous of you being able to represent that great district. Mr. HARIDOPOLOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the kind words for our good friend. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of the Agriculture Committee. Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for sponsoring this Special Order hour, recognizing my dear friend, Bill Posey. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to share a few words about my dear friend, former Congressman Bill Posey. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many. He dedicated more than 20 years to public service in this Chamber and as a Florida State legislator. Bill's reputation as a Florida legislator was one of a changemaker. As the Florida Governor noted: Bill Posey earned a reputation in the Florida legislature as a principled conservative, a problem-solver, and a pioneer in government transparency and accountability, serving in both the Florida House from 1992 to the year 2000, and in the Florida Senate from 2000 to 2008. He was widely respected for constituent service and principled leadership. Bill and I were first elected to Congress in 2009. It was really during the November orientation after the election that I found my friend, when we were sitting in new Congress Member school, basically. That was also the same time that my wife, Penny, and Katie started a relationship as dear friends that continues to this day. They both quickly became dear friends. Bill was a mentor, helping me to find my legislative feet, as someone who had never served in the State legislature. He and his wife, Katie, helped Penny and I navigate life in Washington, D.C. He truly was an esteemed colleague who was unwavering in his commitment to American values. Bill's love for Katie was undeniable. Katie and my wife Penny continue to be the closest of friends. Bill served on the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, fitting for a man who represented Florida's Space Coast and one who spent part of his career working at the Kennedy Space Center. I remember fondly his personal tour of Cape Canaveral and his pride in sharing the behind-the-scenes tour of the industry, from the launchpad to the rubber room. During a personal visit to Florida, Penny and I spent time with Bill and Katie at their church camp for a couple's faith retreat. The messages were inspiring, and the fellowship was outstanding. I was troubled by the fact that they actually swam and canoed in water shared by alligators. I guess that is a Florida thing, definitely not a Pennsylvania thing. I had the opportunity to experience firsthand Bill's passion for racing, a.k.a., driving fast. I rode with Bill in his muscle car to a local car show, and that is a ride I will not soon forget. Bill poured his heart into all he did. He served with dignity and humility. His character and his wisdom will be sorely missed. He was a patriot. He was a conservative. He was a family man. He was a man of faith, and he was my friend. I find comfort in knowing that he was welcomed into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Penny and I will be attending a memorial and celebrating Bill's life this coming Saturday in Florida. Mr. Speaker, may God bless Bill's loved ones. I thank the gentleman from Florida. Mr. HARIDOPOLOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind words. I know they were dear friends. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Congressman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs). Actually, the first time I had the pleasure of meeting him is because of Bill Posey. I remember that event we did in Vero Beach and I look forward to serving together in years to come. Mr. BIGGS of Arizona. I remember that well, and I thank you for allowing me to speak a little bit about our friend. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Congressman Bill Posey, who represented Florida's 15th and Eighth Districts for more than 16 years and devoted his career to serving the people he loved. Bill's public service began in the 1970s on the Rockledge City Council, and he went on to serve in both the Florida House and the Florida State Senate. He earned a reputation as champion of fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and policies that strengthened working families. He never viewed public office as a platform for himself. He saw it as a responsibility to serve others with integrity and purpose. Bill's commitment to his district was unmatched. He loved his district. He loved the Space Coast. He understood its history, industries, and people. No one fought harder for America's leadership in space exploration. Drawing on his own experience working on the Apollo program at Kennedy Space Center, he became one of Congress' strongest advocates for NASA, domestic manufacturing, and the aerospace workforce that defines Florida's Space Coast. He showed how a Member can fiercely defend a district's core industries without falling into subsidies and cronyism, staying true to his principles of limited government and free market strength. Bill was also a national leader in advancing transparency. {time} 1940 He pushed Congress to read the bills it votes on and was instrumental in securing the rule that requires legislation be publicly available for 72 hours before a vote. Wouldn't it be nice to go back to that? Sure would be nice to go back to that standard that Bill worked so hard to set up. He worked to reform and strengthen trust in the institution and reminded all of us that accountability begins right here at home in Congress. [[Page H3980]] I had the privilege of serving with Bill in the House Freedom Caucus, where we fought side by side for limited government, fiscal discipline, and the belief that Washington works best when it works within the Constitution. Bill lived those principles every day. Getting bac