[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVE RON MAZZOLI

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. WILLIAM J. HUGHES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 1994

  Mr. HUGHES. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to join with my 
colleagues this evening in paying tribute to an outstanding congressman 
and friend, Ron Mazzoli.
  For the better part of my 20 years in office, I have sat next to Ron 
on the Judiciary Committee. We also served together on the 
Subcommittees on Crime and Intellectual Property and Judicial 
Administration, which I had the privilege to Chair.
  I have come to know Ron as a fine lawyer, a good legislator, and a 
valued colleague.
  Ron is probably best known for his leadership in the field of 
immigration reform. Indeed, it is no accident that the landmark 
Simpson-Mazzoli immigration reform bill bears his name, since it was 
Ron's hard work and dedication which enabled us to reach a compromise 
and enact this bill into law.
  But immigration reform was only one of Ron's many accomplishments in 
Congress. He and I have worked together for many years on a wide range 
of initiatives to improve our judicial and crime-fighting systems.
  Ron was one of my staunchest allies in the effort to develop some 
fair and reasonable gun laws, such as the Brady bill and the ban on 
armor-piercing ammunition. They were not easy votes in the face of 
fierce opposition.
  We also worked together to enact the drug forfeiture and money 
laundering laws, and other important statutes dealing with child 
pornography, career criminals, arson, terrorism, computer crime and on 
and on.
  There's no question but that Ron Mazzoli has left a lasting mark in 
the field of law enforcement and judicial reform. From a personal 
standpoint, Ron brought to office the kind of honesty, integrity, and 
independence which his constituents have a right to expect. He never 
hesitates to vote his conscience, even when it put him in the difficult 
position of standing up to special interest groups such as the National 
Rifle Association, and even taking on his own party.
  Ron paid a price for his independence, but he never compromised his 
principles or his integrity. It's no wonder his constituents saw fit to 
put their trust in him for 12 consecutive elections.
  Ron will be truly missed in Kentucky and Washington. I want to wish 
him and his lovely wife Helen and their family my very best wishes for 
continued good health, happiness, and success in the years ahead. 
Godspeed my friend.

                          ____________________