Members of the House of Representatives paid tribute on Friday to Rep. Jesus T. Attao, who will be retiring after serving as a lawmaker for 16 years.<\/p>\n
Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, the second longest serving representative in the House, headed the tribute to Attao, leading the other legislators in a brief standing ovation for their retiring colleague during the last session of the 14th House.<\/p>\n
\u00c5gCongressman Attao is a special kind of politician. He does not know the word \u2018cannot\u2019. He always finds a way to get things done,\u00c5h Hofschneider said.<\/p>\n
Freshman representative Clyde K. Norita described Attao and Floor Leader Oscar Babauta as the \u00c5ggodfathers\u00c5h of the 14th House. \u00c5gThey always seem to know what\u2019s going on,\u00c5h he said.<\/p>\n
Babauta said he learned a trick or two from Attao on getting difficult bills on the floor.<\/p>\n
For his part, Vice Speaker and lieutenant governor-elect Timothy Villagomez said Attao, along with Hofschneider and Rep. David Apatang, taught him how to be a congressman.<\/p>\n
He also invited Attao and Apatang, both relatives of his, for a get-together soon. \u00c5gOur family stood a big test this past election,\u00c5h he noted.<\/p>\n
Villagomez, who is Speaker and governor-elect Benigno R. Fitial\u2019s running mate in the Nov. 5 election, competed for the top government post against three other tandems, including that of independent candidates Hofschneider and Apatang.<\/p>\n
Villagomez ran under the banner of the Covenant Party. Attao is a Republican.<\/p>\n
Attao will be leaving public service after serving for 16 years. He has worked with four administrations and eight sets of lawmakers.<\/p>\n
Attao, who worked under Fitial\u2019s leadership in the 12th and 14th House, commended the governor-elect for his leadership. \u00c5gYou have done an excellent job. Because of your leadership, there were 98 bills enacted into law during the past two years,\u00c5h he told Fitial.<\/p>\n
He said he would be willing to provide Fitial any assistance even when he has retired.<\/p>\n
He also urged House members who would be returning in the 15th Legislature to pass a law focusing on the economy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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