[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E846-E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MOURNING THE PASSING OF SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2013

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I thank my friends and colleagues in the New 
Jersey delegation for organizing this tribute to the late Senator Frank 
Lautenberg.
  This is a personal loss as well as a loss for New Jersey and for this 
Nation. I don't think there has been, nor do I think there will ever 
be, anybody quite like Frank Lautenberg in the United States Senate.
  What stands out to so many about Frank is that he never forgot his 
humble beginnings. He was the son of immigrants who was born and raised 
among the silk mills of Paterson. His father died while he was serving 
in the Second World War--and ``serve'' is the right word. He saw 
service as his duty, as his life--serving other people, never 
forgetting the common person and the common good. The GI Bill sent him 
to Columbia University, and he always felt grateful for that and felt a 
need to pay back.
  Much has been said in recent days about Frank's successful business 
career. And it certainly was a success. The qualities that drove Frank 
to be a successful businessman also made him an exemplary legislator. 
Frank was dogged; he was persistent. His colleagues in the Senate would 
sometimes laugh or smile about that--''Here comes Frank again to try to 
twist our arms.'' Frank did his homework; he knew what he was talking 
about, and he just kept fighting for equality of opportunity, for 
fairness, for safety, for ever-expanding access to the American Dream.
  Frank's legislative legacy will remain relevant for generations to 
come. He fought tirelessly to keep trains and buses safe, to promote 
public health, to safeguard chemical plants, to keep cigarettes out of 
airplanes, and so much more. But what stands out in my mind is what 
Frank did to prevent drunk driving. As part of his transportation work, 
Frank established limits on blood alcohol levels and raised the 
drinking age. Today, you could fill several football stadiums with 
people who are alive only because of Frank Lautenberg--and not one of 
them knows who they are.
  Throughout his time in the Senate, Frank was always thinking about 
the ordinary person. He never forgot that they were the people who had 
sent him to serve, he never stopped fighting, and the people of New 
Jersey knew that. They knew they had somebody in the Senate who was 
looking out for them.
  Frank and I worked on a number of important issues together. From 
strengthening and securing our rail system to combating bullying with 
the Tyler Clementi bill, I always relished the opportunity to work with 
such a premier

[[Page E847]]

legislator as Frank was. I feel this loss very personally.
  I again send my most heartfelt condolences to Bonnie and to Frank's 
children and grandchildren. I hope they find comfort in knowing that 
his ideas and his legacy will live on through the many lives he saved 
and touched.

                          ____________________