[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1883]]



                      THE GENTLELADY FROM CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 1996

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our colleague from Illinois, 
the gentlelady, the Honorable Cardiss Collins. For more than 22 years, 
Cardiss has represented the Seventh Congressional District in ``The 
Windy City'' of Chicago. She leaves with a rich history of legislative 
accomplishments.
  In addition to being the longest serving African-American woman in 
Congress, Cardiss will always be remembered for her championship of 
quality health care for women and minorities, enhanced consumer 
protection and promotion of minority business enterprise. Her 
legislative efforts improved access to cancer screening for poor and 
minority women. She authored landmark legislation and investigations on 
both aviation security and toy safety.
  Having served with Cardiss as both a member of the Commerce Committee 
and the Government Operations, now Government Reform and Oversight 
Committee, I know of no better leader than our current ranking Democrat 
on Government Reform. The leadership she demonstrated as both the 
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee chair of the Commerce, Consumer 
Protection, and Competitiveness and the Subcommittee chair of the 
Government Operations Subcommittee on Government Activities and 
Transportation, only intensified when she became the ranking member of 
the Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Time and again she was 
called upon to defend the actions of the current administration; 
Cardiss did so without rancor and bitterness. Her ability to get the 
job done with a mixture of wit, intelligence and down right good humor 
will be definitely missed. It has been my honor to serve with Cardiss 
during her last 13 years in the House.

                          ____________________