[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE BRUCE 
         VENTO, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

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                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my colleague, 
Congressman Bruce F. Vento, who passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 
2000, at the age of 60, after 23 years of dedicated service as the 
Representative from Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District.
  Congressman Vento was first elected to the House of Representatives 
in 1977. Over the course of his 12 remarkable terms in office, 
Congressman Vento has taken a leadership role on environmental, housing 
and banking reform issues. As chairman of the Natural Resources 
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for over 10 
years the Congressman was enormously successful in protecting hundreds 
of thousands of acreage from Minnesota to Alaska and American Samoa. 
Through his role as ranking member on the Subcommittee on Financial 
Institutions and Consumer Credit, he has worked tirelessly to modernize 
our financial services industry while continuing to safeguard consumer 
privacy. Finally, as an active, vocal member of the Housing and 
Community Opportunity Subcommittee, Congressman Vento will always be 
remembered for his admirable fight to end homelessness in America. The 
most fitting tribute that we, his colleagues, can pay Congressman Vento 
is to follow in his footsteps and continue his commendable work on 
behalf of the environment, the homeless, and banking reform.
  Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I ask my fellow 
colleagues to join me in remembering one of our own, the Honorable 
Bruce F. Vento. He will be sorely missed by myself and all members of 
this House. I also wish to take this opportunity to extend my deepest 
sympathy to his family and friends during this difficult time.

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