[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ROBERT GIAIMO

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, the House of Representatives lost a giant 
this week. Robert N. Giaimo was a profound figure in this body, someone 
who represented the values, the dreams and aspirations of the people he 
represented.
  For eleven terms he served the Third District of Connecticut that I 
am now honored to represent. And as a fellow child of Italian 
immigrants from North Haven, Connecticut, he did so with distinction, 
with honor and with special purpose.
  During his 22 years in the Congress, 1959 to 1980, his contributions 
were as momentous as they were numerous. Serving during a time of great 
upheaval in this country, it was Bob Giaimo who led the first 
successful effort to end funds for the fighting in Southeast Asia. He 
co-sponsored legislation that led to the creation of the National 
Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, unleashing the creative 
potential of millions of Americans. And when the Congress decide it was 
time to get control of the Federal budget process, they chose Bob 
Giaimo to chair that committee which he did with integrity for 4 years.
  Bob's priority was always making sure that the work that we did in 
the Congress, the programs and the funding impacted those who needed it 
most.
  Madam Speaker, the legacy of Congressman Robert Giaimo lives on today 
in his former staff, some of whom went on to serve in the Connecticut 
State legislature. It lives on in the people he served in our district 
for whom he made opportunity real. It lives on in his successors, in 
the work that I do in the Congress.
  Our thoughts and our prayers are with the family, his daughter, B.L., 
and his wife, Marion.
  Bob Giaimo was an inspiration to so many and we will miss him. Just 
very, very briefly, I can recall being 8 years old when Bob Giaimo went 
to visit my parents, Louise and Ted DeLauro. He said he was running for 
the United States Congress and would they support his effort as they 
were involved in politics as well. They did support that effort. He won 
the race. I have in my possession, in my family's possession, a letter 
saying thank you to Louise and Ted DeLauro for their help in getting 
him elected.
  He reached enormous heights, yet he never forgot where he came from.

                          ____________________