[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 99 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN DONALD FRASER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2019

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague Congresswoman 
Betty McCollum to honor the life of a dedicated public servant, 
Congressman Donald Fraser. A lifelong Minnesotan, Congressman Fraser 
devoted his life to fighting for the people of Minneapolis and all 
Americans. Whether serving in the Navy during WWII, in the Minnesota 
State Senate, in the U.S. Congress or as the longest-serving mayor in 
Minneapolis's history, Congressman Fraser was a patriot who never 
wavered in his commitment to lifting up hard-working families and 
building a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.
  Congressman Fraser was a true champion for good. Together with his 
beloved wife of 68 years, Arvonne, a deeply respected women's rights 
advocate, he fiercely promoted human rights and championed progressive 
values. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Fraser earned 
the respect of all his colleagues on both sides of the aisle as a 
skilled and thoughtful legislator. He was a man of quiet dignity, who 
allowed the power of his ideas build coalitions for progress.
  He believed deeply in the importance of ensuring that our nation's 
foreign policy upheld our bedrock principles of liberty, justice and 
human rights. Congressman Fraser lived his values through action, 
introducing legislation to ensure that American humanitarian aid never 
enriched tyrants or enabled oppression and persecution. He was 
persistent in his work to deepen America's commitment to democracy, not 
only abroad but at home: introducing the Home Rule Act of 1973 to allow 
the citizens of our nation's capital the right to self-governance and 
have their voices heard.
  Congressman Fraser was also a dedicated conservationist who helped 
protect many of Minnesota's and America's most beautiful natural 
places. As the father of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act, 
he helped guarantee that this beautiful landscape would be preserved 
and enjoyed by generations of Americans for years to come.
  We all saw how much joy Congressman Fraser took in being mayor of 
Minneapolis. During his 14 years in office, he brought transformational 
change to the city he called home. He prided himself on his ability to 
listen to the needs of his constituents and never assumed to know the 
answers, but worked to bring people together to address the most 
pressing problems facing their community. He distinguished himself as a 
champion of early childhood education, recognizing that a free, quality 
public education was the key to success for America's young people and 
the most effective tool for fulfilling our founding promise of equality 
and opportunity for all.
  Congressman Fraser has left an enduring legacy of progress for the 
people of Minneapolis, communities throughout Minnesota and for all 
Americans. May it be a comfort to Thomas, Mary, John, Jean and the 
entire Fraser family that Don is now reunited with the love of his 
life, Arvonne, and with his beloved Anne and Lois. May it be a comfort 
that so many people across the country mourn with and pray for them at 
this sad time.

                          ____________________