[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1998-E1999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE PAUL D. 
             WELLSTONE, SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
honoring my colleague and friend, Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota.
  Senator Wellstone was not only a friend of mine, but also he was a 
special friend of my district, the 9th Congressional District of 
California. In fact, he had visited my district not long before the 
tragic accident. People in my community embraced Paul for the same 
reasons so many across country did.
  Paul Wellstone was a progressive champion who truly personified the 
personal, populist approach to politics. He was an organizer who never 
lost touch with his grass-roots. In fact, he proved that the support of 
everyday Americans, not huge sums of corporate cash, could still win 
elections. He proved that you don't have to compromise your beliefs to 
be successful. He proved that passion for beliefs earns the respect of 
even one's biggest opponent.
  Paul Wellstone showed no fear and incredible energy in his approach 
to fighting for our shared progressive agenda. He stood alone as the 
sole member of the Progressive Caucus in the Senate. He worked 
tirelessly for the least among us; often against incredible odds. Paul 
was never afraid to speak up and to fight for his beliefs.
  Despite the often-long odds he faced, Senator Wellstone was an 
extremely effective and accomplished Senator. His work on mental health 
parity legislation is widely recognized, and I sincerely hope to have 
the opportunity to vote yes on the Wellstone mental health parity 
legislation in the very near future. He, along with the help of his 
wife Sheila, passed several pieces of legislation to prevent domestic 
violence and to help its victims.
  He worked tirelessly to end the scourge of homelessness among our 
nations' veterans and to ensure those who served this country received 
the health care they were promised and deserve. As a former educator, 
he fought for increases in Head Start, higher education funding, and 
better schools for all children in America, regardless of income. He 
fought for seniors and to alleviate the absurd cost of prescription 
medication. In short: he fought for us all.
  The people of Minnesota, the United States Congress, the progressive 
movement, and all Americans were fortunate to have such a strong, 
effective, tireless, and accomplished leader serving us in the United 
State Senate. We will miss him dearly.
  And though he is no longer with us, we will always remember and thank 
him for his incredible service. Now we must honor his memory by 
continuing our collective fight to make his vision of America a 
reality.
  Mr. Speaker, I have attached for the Record a copy of remarks I made 
in introducing Paul Wellstone at an event last year.

 Representative Lee's Introduction of Senator Wellstone (D-MN) at 21st 
           Century Democrats Dinner Wednesday, March 28, 2001

       As we come together tonight to honor some amazing populists 
     with Democrats 2000, now known as 21st Century Democrats, I 
     am extremely proud to introduce one of the greatest 
     progressives in Congress--the phenomenal Paul Wellstone.
       As many of you know, after more than 20 years of teaching, 
     Paul Wellstone jumped into the 1990 Minnesota Senate race. He 
     rallied a huge grassroots network of supporters, got a Green 
     Bus to tour the state, and won his election. When you are 
     trying to rally the troops in your state for an election, 
     it's easy when you have an amazing, inspirational, 
     progressive leader like Paul Wellstone. He personifies the 
     personal, populist approach to winning elections. He proves 
     you need the support of everyday Americans, not huge sums of 
     corporate cash, to get elected.
       During his tenure in Congress, Senator Wellstone has been a 
     real leader in progressive causes and has held true to his 
     beliefs. He is our one and only Congressional Progressive 
     Caucus member in the Senate. He proves that you don't have to 
     compromise your beliefs to be successful. He proves that your 
     passion for your issues make even your opponents respect you. 
     Senator Wellstone is one of the most effective members of the 
     United States Congress, which is no easy feat these days and 
     he champions issues few members will dare to discuss.
       Senator Wellstone has been so active and successful in 
     dealing with so many issues, but let me take a moment just to 
     commend him on a few.
       He is a tireless supporter of legislation to ensure mental 
     health parity. He has passed several pieces of legislation 
     with the help of his wife Sheila to prevent domestic violence 
     and to help its victims. His work helping homeless veterans 
     and on veterans' health care has earned him recognition of 
     numerous veterans' organizations. As a former educator, his 
     devotion to education and children's issues has led him to 
     fight for increases in Head Start, higher education funding, 
     and better schools for all children in America, regardless of 
     income. He has partnered with Minnesota seniors to talk about 
     the international disparities in prescription drug pricing 
     and to pass legislation to correct this problem.
       And these are just a tiny fraction of his successes. In 
     short, the people of Minnesota, the United States Congress, 
     the progressive movement, and all Americans are so fortunate 
     to have a strong, effective, tireless, accomplished leader 
     serving them in Paul Wellstone.
       Senator Wellstone, welcome, and congratulations on this 
     award you are receiving tonight.


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