[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1761]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House of Representatives 
lost one of our most respected members and the nation lost a lifelong 
advocate for the homeless and the environment. A true public servant, 
Bruce Vento used his seat in Congress for 24 years to champion programs 
to eliminate homelessness, increase funding for community investment 
and economic development, and, of course, to protect our environment.
  I had the privilege of serving with Bruce Vento on the Banking 
Committee, where he worked tirelessly to establish the emergency 
shelters grant program, preserve the Federal Housing Authority, provide 
increased funding for community development programs, and ensure 
adequate consumer protection. Those who live in low-income communities, 
the poor, and the homeless, may not have high-priced lobbyists 
advocating for them, but they did have Bruce Vento. Through his work, 
he gave a voice to Americans who too often go unheard.
  Yesterday, we lost a friend and a colleague. But those Americans 
whose lives Bruce Vento worked so hard to improve lost an advocate and 
a voice.
  My thoughts are with the Vento family, and his constituents in 
Minnesota. I and the other Members of this body who were fortunate to 
work with him over the years will miss him greatly.

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