[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT T. 
        MATSUI, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
an admirable citizen, respectable public servant and a generous, kind 
man. Congressman Robert Matsui served the people of California and his 
nation in the House of Representatives for 26 years.
  Bob gave our country and Congress years of his knowledge and 
dedication to fighting for civil rights after beginning his life in 
1942 in a detention camp for Japanese-Americans. He embraced his 
heritage as well as the hardships Asian Americans faced and channeled 
it to positive change to make our nation formally apologized for the 
interment of Japanese Americans and provide financial compensation to 
the survivors.
  Bob was a true inspiration: as a Member, he was a vital member of the 
Democratic Party and worked to make his Party stronger but never let 
his dedicated ties refrain him from working with his Republican 
colleagues; as an American, he listened to President Kennedy to give to 
his country a life of service and commitment to making life better for 
all Americans; and as an Asian American, he served as a role model to 
young Asian Americans that the impossible is never that far away and 
that they too can become active in government to serve the American 
people.
  Mr. Speaker, Bob Matsui's loss will leave a large void to this 
chamber. Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife Doris and his son 
Brian.

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