[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE LOUIS STOKES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROBERT C. SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 1998

  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, while I rejoice in the opportunity to sing 
the praises of my friend and mentor, the Honorable Lou Stokes, the Dean 
of the Ohio Delegation, I am saddened by the realization that he will 
be retiring from this body at the end of this Congress. His departure 
from Congress will constitute a great personal loss to me and a great 
loss to the nation.
  Lou Stokes' Congressional contributions were legendary to me long 
before I came to the Congress. His successes toward developing health 
programs for underserved and disadvantaged populations were well known 
to me and to health care workers throughout the country. During my 15 
years in the Virginia legislature, I was active in developing programs 
to prevent infant mortality. Lou Stokes was our champion in the 
Congress on this issue then, and since I came to the Congress has 
continued to be our champion on the issue.
  I serve with Representative Stokes on the Congressional Black Caucus' 
Health Braintrust. Year after year, he has provided absolutely stellar 
leadership as Chairman of the Braintrust by focusing the attention of 
the Congress and the nation on efforts to improve the health care 
status of disadvantaged populations. Not only will he leave a legacy of 
legislative accomplishments such as the Minority and Disadvantaged 
Health Care Improvement Act, but his annual Spring and Fall Health 
Braintrust programs will leave a record, that will be difficult for us 
to maintain, of pulling together the sharpest minds and most 
accomplished people to focus on pressing health concerns.
  Mr. Speaker, in all of his endeavors, Lou Stokes has shown himself to 
be the consummate professional, a distinguished legislator, and an 
outstanding human being. I will miss you, Lou. I thank you for all you 
done for me, for this Congress and for this nation. God bless you 
Representative Louis Stokes, and Godspeed on your future endeavors.

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