[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING REPRESENTATIVE CARDISS COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our distinguished colleague 
from the District of Columbia, Eleanor Holmes Norton, for reserving 
this special order. I take pride in joining my colleagues as we pay 
tribute to Cardiss Collins, who is retiring at the end of this 
legislative session. For more than 22 years, Cardiss Collins has been 
the voice for residents of Chicago's Seventh Congressional District. 
She departs the U.S. Congress with a host of important achievements to 
her credit.
  Some of us gathered in the Chamber today recall serving in the 
Congress with the late George W. Collins. Following his untimely death 
in an airplane crash, Cardiss was selected in a special election to 
fill the seat left vacant. She came to the U.S. Congress in 1973 and 
began a career that would include a number of important ``firsts.'' In 
1975, Cardiss became the first woman and the first African-American to 
hold the leadership position of Democratic whip-at-large. In 1979, she 
was named chairwoman of the Government Operations Subcommittee on 
Manpower and Housing, again the first woman and first African-American 
to serve in that capacity. Later Cardiss became the first woman and the 
first African-American to chair a subcommittee on the powerful Energy 
and Commerce Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, Cardiss Collins serves as the ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. She is also the 
former chair of the powerful Congressional Black Caucus. Throughout the 
years, Cardiss has used her political skill to develop legislative 
remedies to address some of the problems that plague our Nation.
  Cardiss has been unrelenting in her effort to improve the quality of 
health care for women and minorities. She has authored and supported 
legislation to address issues including breast cancer and infant 
mortality. She also authored legislation which resulted in the creation 
of the Office of Minority Health at the National Institutes of Health. 
Further, Cardiss Collins authorized both the Child Abuse Prevention Act 
and the Child Safety Protection Act. These measures were aimed at 
providing greater protections for America's children.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to her legislative assignments, Cardiss 
Collins has played a key role in shaping the Congressional Black 
Caucus. A fearless and tireless champion for the African-American 
community, she has been with us in the struggle for civil rights, 
equality, and justice. She has earned the respect of her colleagues in 
the CBC, and the admiration of people throughout the United States who 
know her as a thoughtful and compassionate legislator.
  As she prepares to depart this Chamber, I am proud to join in this 
salute to my good friend, Cardiss Collins. We commend her for 
outstanding service to the U.S. Congress, the State of Illinois, and 
the Nation.

                          ____________________