News and Notes: Rush Holt bids adieu to the House of Representatives

Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) gave hisfarewell addresson the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The congressman, who represents Mercer County and is former assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, argued against those who are cynical toward government, saying that democracy is working in the House of Representatives.

“I present a vision for a government, not that vanishes, but works for its citizens,” Holt said during his 8-minute speech. “Of course, not all problems can be fixed by government. But it can be reassuring and uplifting to people to know that other people have their backs and can help.”

He also noted some of the bills he supported while in office, including laws for science education.

After his retirement from Congress, Holt will become the CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a nonprofit organization that publishes Science Magazine.