[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO SUE O'BRIEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a solemn heart that I rise today 
before this body of Congress to honor the memory of a great citizen. 
Sue O'Brien passed away peacefully on August 6, 2003 after battling 
cancer. Sue was the respected and well-liked editor of The Denver 
Post's opinion page and a long time figure in public policy. As 
Colorado and the larger community mourn her passing, I would like to 
pay tribute to her memory.
  Sue was born on March 6, 1939 in Iowa, settling in Denver with her 
first husband, Jim Hautzinger, and their children in 1961. Sue was a 
stay-at-home-mom who was busy with the League of Women Voters, Young 
Democrats, and the drive for school desegregation and fair housing.
  Sue began her career in the media in 1968 when she reported on the 
riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago for KTLN/KTLK-AM 
radio. Through the years, Sue worked as an anchor and political 
reporter for local and national television and radio. Sue was a pioneer 
for women in news management when, in 1976, she became the news 
director for KOA-TV and radio in Denver. In 1995, Sue became the head 
of The Denver Post opinion page. She took her job very seriously and 
gave great thought to everything that crossed her desk. Sue was always 
fair and always forthright, and her colleagues respected her ability 
and integrity.
  Politicians in both parties respected Sue as well. She worked for two 
governors and was routinely consulted by Republicans and Democrats 
alike. Sue painstakingly examined every issue and always gave her 
honest and candid opinion. On a personal level, I hold Sue in high 
regard. I always enjoyed speaking with her about the issues of the day, 
and several years ago, Sue was my personal guest in the House gallery 
for the President's State of the Union Address. She had a strong set of 
values and cared deeply about helping people, qualities that will be 
sorely missed.
  Mr. Speaker, Sue O'Brien was a person whose hallmark was fairness and 
integrity. She was a committed idealist who worked every day to make 
the world a better place. Sue had great love for her family and 
tremendous pride in the accomplishments of her children. She was a 
master journalist who never faltered in her attention to detail. Sue 
O'Brien was a great American, a great journalist, and, most 
importantly, a great person. I join with my colleagues today in 
honoring her memory and her life.

                          ____________________