[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E44-E45]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Bob Matsui was a dear friend. His long and 
distinguished public service on behalf of the people of California and 
all Americans was a tremendous benefit to his State and our Nation.
  As a Member of Congress, he was a respected leader, an effective 
lawmaker, and a tireless leader of his party. With a major debate on 
Social Security looming, we will sorely

[[Page E45]]

miss his unparalleled expertise and foresight on that issue.
  Most of all--in that fight and in many to come--we will miss his 
compassion and his dedication to serving the most needy among us.
  Throughout his career, Bob Matsui was a champion of the vulnerable, 
leading the fight for civil rights. He said that he was inspired to go 
to law school by Clarence Darrow and to go into politics by John F. 
Kennedy. And he never stopped advancing those ideals.
  Imprisoned as a young child in the Japanese-American internment camps 
of World War II, he authored the landmark bill that provided 
restitution to Japanese Americans held in those camps and, more 
important, tendered an official apology on behalf of the government.
  Never one to shirk the tough jobs, he worked over decades on the 
thankless but essential task of improving flood protection for the 
Sacramento region, and recently reached an historic agreement on that 
critical issue.
  Bob Matsui was a thoughtful and prescient legislator. An early 
advocate of free trade, in the early 90s, he provided critical 
assistance to President Clinton in getting NAFTA through the House--
despite opposition from labor groups that traditionally support 
Democrats. In 2000, he played a key role in obtaining permanent 
normalized trade relations with China, again at Clinton's behest. And 
he was a strong backer of giving the President fast track trade 
authority. At the same time, he was increasingly concerned over how 
little was being done to help Americans who had lost jobs.
  Even those who fought the hardest with Bob over policy issues admired 
his intelligence and dedication and enjoyed his humor and warmth. He 
was a truly kind person and we will all miss his friendship.
  My thoughts and prayers are with Bob Matsui's family.
  May he rest in peace.

                          ____________________