[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 47 (Monday, March 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E336-E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, MEMBER OF CONGRESS, FIRST WOMAN 
  CHAIR OF RULES COMMITTEE, AND INDEFATIGABLE CHAMPION FOR WOMEN AND 
                FAMILIES, THE ARTS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of my dear 
friend and our beloved colleague, Congresswoman Louise McIntosh 
Slaughter of New York, a trailblazer for women, whose powerful voice 
was quieted this past Friday morning, March 16, 2018.
  Louise Slaughter lived a long, full, and consequential life and got 
the most out of the 88 years she graced this world.
  She will be remembered in this House for her service to her 
constituents and her colleagues, her formidable intellect, her mastery 
of the legislative process, and her graciousness and kindness to all 
who came in contact with her.
  After serving four years in the New York State Assembly, Louise 
Slaughter was elected to the 100th Congress in 1986 to represent the 
30th Congressional District of New York, which at the time included 
downtown and eastern Rochester, most of eastern Monroe County, all of 
Genesee County and northern Livingston and Ontario counties.
  Reelected to the 15 succeeding Congresses, Louise Slaughter carved 
out a legacy of leadership and accomplishments in the areas of women's 
rights and empowerment, the arts, health care, battlefield 
preparedness, economic revitalization, the environment, and social 
justice.
  Born in the coal mining town of Lynch, Kentucky and educated at the 
University of Kentucky where she earned degrees in microbiology and 
public health, Louise Slaughter understood the connection between 
public health and a vibrant democracy, and fought to ensure passage of 
the landmark Affordable Care Act.
  In the 112th Congress, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter introduced and 
shepherded to passage Pub. L. 112-105, the ``Stop Trading on 
Congressional Knowledge Act'' or ``STOCK Act,'' which prohibits the use 
of non-public information for private profit, including insider trading 
by members of Congress and other government employees, and requires 
many financial transactions by members of Congress to be reported 
within 45 days.
  Mr. Speaker, since her first years on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman 
Louise Slaughter was an advocate for women all over the world.
  Among her many accomplishments, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter co-
authored the landmark Violence Against Women Act, ensured the first 
federal funding to the National Institutes of Health to research breast 
cancer, and was a co-founder of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus.
  It is particularly fitting and altogether appropriate that this 
tireless champion of women, children, and families represented an area 
near Seneca Falls, the location of the first women's rights convention 
in 1848.
  The dean of New York's Congressional Delegation, Louise Slaughter was 
the first woman to chair the powerful House Rules Committee, and the 
first woman to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee, and in both 
roles she carried the banner and led the fight for progressive values 
and to make our good country better.
  I will always remember and be grateful to Congresswoman Louise 
Slaughter for her help in my duties representing the people of the 18th 
Congressional District of Texas.
  I worked closely with Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and drew upon 
her counsel and assistance to shepherd scores of bills and amendments 
to passage that have been beneficial to my constituents.
  Louise Slaughter was incredibly generous with her knowledge and 
experience and served as a mentor to new members of Congress, including 
me.
  I will never forget that Louise Slaughter's advocacy continued until 
her last days with us, including the National Women's March in 
Washington, D.C. on January 21, 2017.
  Mr. Speaker, Louise Slaughter was an iron fist in a velvet glove.
  A native of Kentucky, Louise Slaughter never lost her Southern twang 
and charm.
  Louise Slaughter effortlessly mixed humor with logic to win over 
skeptics.
  And then after disarming you, Louise Slaughter made her move.
  Through her words and deeds, Louise Slaughter worked to make the 
lives of all Americans better.
  Louise Slaughter was a dear friend and her loss leaves a void in my 
heart.
  It is my prayer that the Lord brings comfort to the many people--
those whom Louise knew and those who felt they knew Louise Slaughter--
who know that a mighty oak has fallen and are heartbroken at the loss.

[[Page E337]]

  I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of the 
gentlewoman from New York, Congresswoman Louise McIntosh Slaughter.

                          ____________________