[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 38 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF MARCUS RASKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2018

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
a strong voice in the progressive movement, and a great mentor and 
friend, Marcus Raskin. Marcus' exceptional work as a national security 
staffer, political theorist, and progressive thought leader has deeply 
shaped our nation's consciousness about war, economic inequality, and 
civil rights.
  Born in 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marcus initially pursued a 
career as a pianist, before changing direction and studying law and 
policy at the University of Chicago. After attaining his law degree, 
Marcus moved to Washington D.C. and became a staffer for 
Representatives Robert W. Kastenmeier & James Roosevelt.
  He quickly distinguished himself as a leading voice of liberal 
thought, and was hired as staff on the National Security Council by 
President Kennedy's National Security Advisor, McGeorge Bundy. He also 
later served in the Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management 
and Budget), and the Presidential Panel on Education.
  Following his service in the Kennedy Administration, Raskin formed 
the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) along with Richard Barnet. As a 
progressive policy think-tank, IPS was the first of its kind. To this 
day, the institute remains committed to economic and racial justice, 
climate justice, peace and foreign policy, community engagement, and 
leadership development.
  Marcus also played a pivotal role in the release of the Pentagon 
Papers during the Nixon Administration. His criticisms of the Vietnam 
War and American military policy led to Daniel Ellsberg noticing Marcus 
and relying on his help to get the leaked documents to reporters at the 
New York Times. This initiated a watershed moment in our country's 
history about the need for transparency and accountability in 
government.
  I first met Marcus Raskin, during the mid-1970's, while I worked on 
Capitol Hill for Congressman Ron Dellums, and I am grateful to him for 
his wise counsel over the years. Marcus was one of the first to 
congratulate me on my election to Congress, and acted as a reassuring 
confidant as I considered my vote against the overly broad 2001 
authorization to use military force.
  Marcus Raskin passed on December 24, 2017, and is survived by his 
wife, Lynn, and his children Erika, Eden, Noah, and my colleague in 
Congress--Jamie.
  Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, it is 
my honor to commend Marcus Raskin for his moral leadership and to thank 
him for his mentorship. I cherish my time serving alongside his son, 
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland's 8th Congressional District 
and wish my sincere condolences to the rest of his surviving family.

                          ____________________