Colleagues of Congressman Leonard Boswell held a tribute to him Thursday, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA)

“Hadn’t planned on this all coming to this kind of a closure, but it’s caused me to reflect back over life and I feel very blessed,” Boswell said. Boswell’s 16-year tenure in the U.S. House is coming to an end, as he lost his bid for reelection) “I have a regret: I’m sorry my mother couldn’t have heard this discussion today,” Boswell said, drawing laughter from the other members of congress who were on the House floor. Boswell, a Democrat, will celebrate his 79th birthday on January 10th.

Boswell was drafted at the age of 22 and served in the Army for 20 years. Congressman Bruce Braley of Waterloo said Boswell is “too modest” to talk about the two “Distinguished Flying Crosses” he was awarded for flying helicopter rescue missions in Vietnam.
“Leonard has always been a strong advocate for military families,” Braley said. “He has a lot of proud achievements in this body, but Leonard to me your proudest moment was when the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act was passed in the House, passed in the Senate and signed into law by the president.” Congressman Steve King of Kiron, agreed that Boswell had a “noble and brave” career in the military.

Each member of Iowa’s delegation in the House paid tribute to Boswell. Congressmen from other states offered praise to Boswell as well, during the 40-minute tribute. Congressman Tom Latham of Clive, the Republican who beat Boswell in November, organized Thursday’s tribute.

(Radio Iowa)