[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5651-H5652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH BRACKETT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.

[[Page H5652]]

  

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, perhaps now more than ever, we need to 
recognize the critical role a free press plays in our democracy and 
those who play that role so well.
  Today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of an award-winning 
journalist and dedicated public servant, Elizabeth Brackett, who died 
on June 17, following a tragic accident. Her death is already being 
felt by her colleagues at WTTW, the entire Chicago journalism 
community, and all of the Illinois residents who have relied on her 
reporting for unparalleled insight into the pressing challenges that 
confront our Nation and our world.
  Working at four television stations spanning five decades, Elizabeth 
was an accomplished journalist and news program host who asked public 
officials questions that really matter.
  In the past, people have asked if I am afraid of a journalist who 
raises tough questions. The answer is no. I'm afraid of a journalist 
who asks the wrong questions, who doesn't know what questions to ask.
  Elizabeth was a journalist's journalist who knew not only what to 
ask, but how and why. Her thoughtful, smart, and incredibly well-
researched approach made us all better at our jobs.
  After retiring from her full-time position at ``Chicago Tonight'' in 
2014, Elizabeth continued to contribute to the network primarily on 
environmental topics, such as the health of the lakes in which she 
frequently swam.
  In particular, I remember one of the most recent interviews in 2017 
when she asked me about efforts to keep Asian carp out of the Great 
Lakes. It was Elizabeth who asked me about the environmental impacts in 
such detail and accuracy, providing viewers, listeners, and readers 
alike with an in-depth understanding of the invasive species, a 
critical issue for our Great Lakes.
  ``Resourceful'' and ``passionate'' were two words often used to 
describe her. Carol Marin, Elizabeth's colleague at ``Chicago 
Tonight,'' said it best: ``Elizabeth was always going to be your 
competitor. She was out there to get the story, get it first, and get 
the story best. That is what made her so good at what she did.''
  In addition to journalism, her ambition was, front and center, in her 
unmistakable athleticism. She began competing in triathlons at the age 
of 50 and became a national champion in her age group.
  From beginning her broadcast career in 1977 as a researcher at WBBM-
TV to becoming a weekend anchor and going on to win national Emmy and 
Peabody awards, Elizabeth was an institution.
  I extend my thoughts to her husband, Peter Martinez, and her entire 
family, including 10 grandchildren.
  She was a role model and a force for truth. We will all miss her 
expertise and energy both in and out of the news studio.

                          ____________________