[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H14129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH MINISH OF 
                               NEW JERSEY

  (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PASCRELL. I would like for us to pause from votes for just a few 
moments in order to recognize one of our congressional brothers who 
passed away last week.
  As many of you know, last Wednesday, former Representative Joseph 
Minish died at the age of 91. We have lost a great man, a great New 
Jerseyan and true champion of the working class.
  A native of Throop, Pennsylvania, Joe was the son of a coal miner. 
Joe never went to college, but he served in the Army during World War 
II and subsequently settled in Newark, New Jersey, where he worked as a 
machine operator and joined the staff of the Electrical Workers Union.
  He was first elected in 1962. Joe represented Essex County in the 
House for 22 years. Throughout his tenure, he displayed talent, 
intelligence and capability. More important than anything, Madam 
Speaker, he showed kindness to everyone.
  Joe was always looking out for the little guy. And after all, isn't 
that why we are all here? He was unassuming. He was a humble man. But 
he fought with intensity on behalf of the underdog, and he is an 
example of the very best of what public service is all about.
  He believed in what Tip O'Neill believed, and that is that all 
politics is local. He was legendary back home for the constituent 
services he provided. He did it with little flair, asked nothing in 
return, and just got the job done.
  In Washington, Joe pushed for truth-in-lending laws and rallied 
against the price gouging of consumers. He was an advocate for food 
safety reforms, including tougher Food and Drug Administration 
regulation, as well as for greater access to health care for all.
  I represent part of Joe's old district, and as a long-time resident 
of West Orange, New Jersey, Joe was a constituent of mine.
  I can only hope that I represent the good people of my district with 
the same decency in character that Joe Minish displayed throughout his 
tenure. He reached across the aisle. He was a giant among men. We will 
miss you, my friend.
  I now ask that the House take a moment of silence in his honor.

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