[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF RACHEL C. KING COUNSEL FOR THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE 
                               JUDICIARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Smith of 
Texas, Mr. Gohmert, and I would like to submit this statement into the 
Congressional Record on behalf of all the Members and staff of the 
Judiciary Committee regarding our dear friend and colleague, Rachel 
King, who, after a long battle with cancer, passed away on August 25, 
2008, at her home in Wayne, Maine, overlooking Dexter Pond, surrounded 
by family and friends.
  We were privileged to know Rachel during her time as counsel to the 
House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland 
Security. Many of us, and many others who work on Capitol Hill, already 
knew her from when she worked with the American Civil Liberties Union.
  Rachel was one of the most intelligent, passionate, and committed 
advocates in the fight for justice and equality. On issue after issue, 
whether it was the death penalty, mandatory minimum sentencing, drug 
policy, child soldiers, or denial of due process, Rachel was a clear, 
strong, and articulate voice for justice, and she was loved and admired 
for it. She continued to pursue this commitment energetically at the 
Committee right up until the week before her last days in Maine.
  She was well-known and well-respected for her tireless advocacy 
against capital punishment. She authored two books about the death 
penalty, each from the perspective of families affected--one, regarding 
families of murder victims; the other, families of the condemned. She 
also wrote a novel detailing the lives, challenges and triumphs of 
advocates in Washington, DC, working for progressive social causes. And 
many did not know that she was pursuing a master's degree in creative 
writing at Johns Hopkins University, in addition to the Juris Doctorate 
and Masters in Law degrees she already had.
  We will remember Rachel not only for the wise and experienced counsel 
she gave us on issues going to the heart of what a criminal justice 
system should look like in a civilized society, but also for her gentle 
and tireless spirit.
  We are grateful that she chose to spend the last part of her 
distinguished career working with us.

                          ____________________