[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN ED JENKINS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life, 
leadership, and legacy of our former colleague and a friend of many in 
this house, Congressman Ed Jenkins.
  My colleague, John Lewis, has brought many of us together on this 
floor or in other public statements to say what an honor it was to 
serve with Eddie Jenkins, how much we all learned from him. The humor 
as well as the intellect he brought to his work was definitely, 
definitely an asset to the work of the Congress.
  Eddie Jenkins was a proud son of Georgia. If you heard him say it, 
you would agree, a self-described country lawyer from Jasper, a public 
servant dedicated to his constituents, to advancing the interests, 
hopes, and aspirations of his neighbors down there in Georgia, and in 
securing future prosperity for all and opportunity for all Americans.
  It must be a true honor for Congressman Jenkins and his family that 
this tribute has been organized and led by the conscience of the 
Congress, a man of extraordinary leadership and character and a fellow 
representative from the State of Georgia, Congressman John Lewis.
  Congressman Jenkins will long be remembered as a leader willing to 
work across the aisle, negotiate and build coalitions on behalf of the 
greater good. He will be remembered in textile mills across the South 
as a champion of the industry, a defender of good-paying jobs for local 
workers in small towns and communities across the region for small 
businesses. He will be remembered as a champion of the Ways and Means 
Committee for his expertise on the Tax Code, for his wisdom and 
leadership, with the respect he earned even when his colleagues 
disagreed with him. And he will be remembered for his legendary tough 
questioning during the Iran-Contra hearings, a scene that reflected and 
embodies his strong will, deep character, and core principles--his 
pursuit of the truth, his commitment to transparency and 
accountability, and his firm belief in the sanctity of the rule of law.
  Congressman Jenkins served his community and our country as a lawyer 
and a congressional staffer, in the Coast Guard, and as a Member of the 
House of Representatives. He'll be missed by his friends in Congress, 
by his friends he served in Georgia, by his neighbors, and loved ones.
  We only hope that it is some comfort to his wife of 51 years, Jo; his 
daughters, Janice and Amy; his brothers, sisters, grandsons, and his 
entire family that so many share grief at this sad time.
  Thank you, Mr. Jenkins, for a life of service to the Congress and the 
country. Thank you, Mr. Lewis, for providing this opportunity for us to 
honor a person we were proud to call a colleague and friend.

                          ____________________