Berman Bids Adieu To IP Panel Chairmanship
House Judiciary Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee Chairman Howard Berman, D-Calif., bid farewell to colleagues at a copyright hearing Thursday, noting that the gathering could be his last with the gavel in-hand. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn later this month to campaign for the November elections and if Democrats retain control in the 111th Congress, Berman plans to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"If we don’t have a lame duck, and I certainly hope we don’t, this could be the last hearing that I get to chair with my dear friend Howard Coble," he said of the panel's top Republican from North Carolina. Coble has been "a wonderful partner on so many issues," Berman said. He noted, however, that he hopes to remain a member of the subcommittee in the new Congress. "I'll still be down the row a few seats but someone else will have the slightly dubious honor of sitting here," Berman laughed.
"If this is to be our swan song… I've enjoyed being with you," Coble responded, noting that a former staffer told him recently that he had enjoyed "The Howard and Howard Show." But Judiciary Committee John Conyers chimed in, reminding members that the goodbyes were premature. A lot could happen between Election Day and Inauguration Day, he said.
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