[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF PENNSYLVANIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 
                         CATHERINE BAKER KNOLL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, on November 12, 2008, Pennsylvania 
Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll succumbed to a four month 
long battle with neuroendocrine cancer.
  I've known Catherine for 30 years. She was a remarkable woman who 
never stopped fighting to better our Commonwealth and to improve the 
lives of Pennsylvanians. She was one of the most hard-working and 
determined individuals to ever serve in state government, and her 
passion and dedication to both the Democratic Party and to the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was unparalleled.
  Catherine was a transformational figure--one of the first women to 
run for statewide office, she served as Pennsylvania State Treasurer 
(1989-1997) and later became the first woman to serve as Pennsylvania 
Lieutenant Governor (2003-2008). She never stopped fighting for what 
she believed in, and this determination placed her at the forefront of 
so many important issues.
  Catherine's kindness and friendship touched the lives of many. Over 
the past few months, people from all across Pennsylvania asked me how 
she was doing, and how she was coping with the disease. I reminded them 
that Catherine Baker Knoll was made of ``steel'' and that she was 
fighting this disease with the same strength and fortitude she fought 
every other challenge in life.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the career and life of someone who 
devoted both to serving the interests of her fellow Pennsylvanians. I 
rise to thank and commend her four children, Charles, Mina, Albert, and 
Kim Eric, for always being by her side and giving her constant 
strength.
  Madam Speaker, all of us will miss the friendship and great 
leadership of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

                          ____________________