[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E864-E865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO STATE SENATOR MARY LOU RATH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS M. REYNOLDS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2008

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today 
to honor a respected and dedicated legislator, a valued educator and 
community leader, and close confidante and dear friend who, for more 
than three decades, has dedicated her life and service to her neighbors 
in Western New York.

[[Page E865]]

  State Senator Mary Lou Rath is one of the most respected legislators 
in our area--proof that elected service is a noble calling. Mary Lou 
has always been the voice of reason, and proved time and time again 
that her only agenda was to serve and fight for the people of Western 
New York.
  After spending 30 years in public service, Mary Lou announced 
recently that she will retire from the New York State Senate. She 
surely be missed, leaving behind a legacy of fighting for quality 
health care, serving as a champion for women across New York State, and 
taking on issues big and small that made a real difference in the lives 
of those she represented.
  Mary Lou was first elected to public office in 1977 as an Erie County 
Legislator and earned both the support of her constituents and the 
trust of her colleagues, who elevated her to the post of Republican 
Leader. In 1994, she became the first woman ever to serve the 61 st 
District in the New York State Senate. In the State Senate, Mary Lou 
earned a reputation as a hard working and compassionate representative.
  Mary Lou also earned a statewide reputation for her efforts to reform 
Medicaid and curtail the sky-rocketing costs of health care. 
Additionally, she worked hard to advance her smart growth initiatives, 
end domestic violence and ensure that all children have a quality 
education.
  In 1997, Mary Lou was inducted in the Western New York Women's Hall 
of Fame, a fitting tribute for a woman who has been such a positive 
role model and inspiration to women across New York. Not only did Mary 
Lou have a distinguished professional career, but along with her 
husband, the late Supreme Court Justice Edward A. Rath, Jr., raised a 
wonderful family in whom she instilled the values of public service.
  The name Rath not only invokes the best in public service, it is, in 
a word, iconic in our community. The County Office building bears the 
name of her father-in-law, Edward A. Rath, Erie County's first-ever 
chief executive. Her son, Edward A. Rath III, is the third generation 
of family public servants, a member of the Erie County Legislature, 
elected to a seat once held by his mother.
  Despite all her achievements in public life, I know from my long 
friendship with the Rath family that Mary Lou's greatest accomplishment 
is her loving family, her children Allison, Melinda, and Ed, and her 
eight grandchildren.
  She is very deserving of the honor she will receive from the YWCA on 
May 10th, 2008 for her contributions to Batavia and Genesee County.
  Madam Speaker, in recognition of her tremendous service of more than 
30 years, for her leadership, dedication and lasting legacy she leaves, 
I ask this Honorable Body to join me in honoring my friend and 
colleague, New York State Senator Mary Lou Rath, in grateful 
appreciation for her distinguished career and devoted service to the 
people of Western New York.

                          ____________________