[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 110 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ABNER J. MIKVA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2016

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and 
legacy of Abner Mikva and to send my deepest condolences to his family 
and loved ones. Abner Mikva was one of the most treasured friends I've 
had in all my life. He was an indispensable mentor, a consistent role 
model and a great guy to be around. It is somehow fitting, that a man 
so completely devoted to public service--a true American patriot--would 
take his last breath on the 4th of July.
  Ab is revered in the district I now represent, which first elected 
him to Congress in 1974. I was one of the countless volunteers who 
passed his flyers out and knocked on doors. He inspired a whole 
generation to believe that politics is a noble calling. His grassroots 
election campaigns that engaged literally thousands of young people 
wearing his trademark Mikva! T-shirts are legendary. He was a brilliant 
strategist, able to work across the aisle, but never compromising his 
core progressive beliefs.
  One of the few Americans to serve in all three branches of government 
as a Congressman, Federal Judge and White House Counsel, Abner was 
committed to advocating government that was the most helpful it could 
be to the most people possible. His legacy lives on in the Abner and 
Zoe (his beloved wife and partner) Mikva Challenge, a program that 
places high school student interns in both Republican and Democratic 
offices and campaigns. Thousands of young people for generations to 
come will experience hands-on involvement in politics because of Ab and 
Zoe.
  In November of 2014, I was proud to witness President Obama, someone 
Ab Mikva supported and promoted from the day he met him, award Ab with 
the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan 
came to an intimate celebration afterward and spoke fondly about the 
days she served as Abner's law clerk. His 90th birthday party last 
February showcased Abner Mikva's enduring wit, intelligence and 
humanity.
  He will be deeply, deeply missed by all those who knew, admired, and 
loved him. I am proud to be one of them. To Abner Mikva's wife Zoe and 
family, to whom he was completely devoted, I send my gratitude and 
heartfelt condolences.

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