[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF CARDISS COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 1996

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend 
and highly distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Cardiss Collins of 
Illinois' Seventh Congressional District. As the longest serving 
African-American female in Congress, she has been a true inspiration 
and mentor to those who have followed in her footsteps. Her legacy, 
including her tenure as chair of the Subcommittees on Commerce, 
Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness and Government Activities and 
Transportation, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus, are part of 
a permanent record that will ensure the importance of her 23 years in 
the House of Representatives.
  Public service has become an important part of Cardiss' life. She 
honorably stepped in to fill her late husband's, the Honorable George 
W. Collins, seat when asked and has served faithfully since. 
Congresswoman Collins has truly represented her district throughout the 
years. Her skillful leadership during her 11 terms will be missed by 
many.
  I would like to take this opportunity to remember some of the 
important achievements attributed to Representative Collins. She has 
consistently devoted her energy to improving health care for women and 
minorities. Cardiss spent several years during this decade promoting 
the research of breast cancer. She sponsored legislation that expanded 
Medicare coverage for mammography screenings and Medicaid coverage for 
Pap smears to detect cervical and uterine cancers. Collins has also 
continuously authored a resolution that designates October as National 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

  Her concern for women extends beyond health care. She pressured 
colleges to follow the requirements of title IX of the Education 
Amendments Act of 1972 when she chaired the Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness. The result has been a 
dramatic increase in the participation of women in sports, as evidenced 
by the number of American women participants this year in the 
Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.
  Cardiss has been especially concerned about the fate of our country's 
children. She is responsible for increasing the funding and research 
into minority health issues and establishing the National Institutes of 
Health's Office on Minority Health. Representative Collins was the 
force behind the Child Abuse Prevention Act, which resulted in the 
training of teachers in child abuse prevention. Additionally, Cardiss 
increased child safety by enacting legislation that requires warning 
labels on toys with small parts and standards for bicycle helmets.
  Cardiss has also focused her energy on increasing diversity in 
advertising. The lack of a presence of African-Americans sparked her to 
introduce several bills to strike more of a balance throughout this 
medium. She worked tirelessly to ensure that privately owned firms and 
the Federal Government did not discriminate against minority owned 
agencies.
  The Congressional Black Caucus is the strong organization it is 
today, due, in part, to the leadership Representative Collins showed 
when she chaired the Caucus. She also chaired the Congressional Black 
Caucus Foundation for two terms, beginning in 1994. She was an 
important member to both bodies, and they miss her contributions.
  I will miss Cardiss' intelligence and insight which she has shared 
throughout the years we spent in Congress. I know she will spend many 
fulfilling years with her son and granddaughter. I am honored to have 
served with her and I wish her continued success and happiness.

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