[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H16812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PAYING TRIBUTE TO HON. Julia Carson

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, tonight, as I stand to pay respects and 
honor to Julia Carson, I don't believe I will take 5 minutes, but I 
will say that as a freshman Member, I really can't recall some of the 
great stories that I've heard my friends tell about the great Julia 
Carson, but I do have my own recollections of her.
  The most important thing I want to share with people tonight is that, 
when I just started here and I started getting on my feet and figuring 
out where the bathrooms were and how to get around the House a little 
bit, Julia Carson took a moment, Julia Carson had time, Julia Carson 
and I sat in the chairs of this gallery and talked. And she told me 
about the struggles that she had to overcome. And she also told me, 
when I had my first bill, ``if you don't put me on that bill right now, 
boy, I don't know what I'm going to do.'' And I had to laugh, because 
the spirit that she had was remarkable, given some of the health 
problems she was facing.
  The health problems she was facing may have been a burden, but they 
were not too great for her to show kindness to a new freshman here in 
Congress. And so I will always remember Julia Carson, very fond 
memories of her, and I will always be inspired by the great example 
that she gave us.
  Mr. SHAYS. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. ELLISON. Certainly.
  Mr. SHAYS. I have a request for 5 minutes, so I can't use the time 
twice.
  But I just want to say, on behalf of the Republican side of the 
aisle, I don't know a Member who didn't appreciate Julia Carson's fine 
work, who didn't enjoy talking with her. She always had a great 
response to anything you had to say. She was insightful, she was right 
to the point, and had a tremendous sense of humor. And it's hard to 
think that she will not be with us because she was a presence here. 
Julia often sat on this side of the aisle, so a lot of us got to know 
her, not just speaking on the floor, but talking with her personally, 
and to love her a great deal.
  I thank the gentleman for giving me this opportunity.
  Mr. ELLISON. It is certainly my honor. Many, many people loved Julia 
Carson, and I want to thank the Congressman from Connecticut for 
sharing his sentiments as well.

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