[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 178 (Thursday, November 7, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6469-S6470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING KAY HAGAN

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, it is great sadness that Marcelle and I 
learned of the passing of Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina on 
October 28. I have served in the U.S. Senate with nearly 400 Senators. 
Like many of them, Senator Hagan fought day and day out for her 
constituents in North Carolina and for the ideals and morals on which 
our country was founded.
  Senator Hagan followed a line of public service in the Hagan family. 
Her father and brother served in the Navy, and her uncle, Lawton 
Chiles, represented Florida here in the U.S. Senate. Recognizing the 
sacrifice and importance of our Nation's service members, Senator Hagan 
was a tireless advocate for our military members and their families. 
During her time in the Senate, she was an active partner in our efforts 
to strengthen the National Guard, and she authored such important 
legislative initiatives as the Hire a Hero Act. She was also a tireless 
advocate for women and children, for efforts to support victims of 
crime, and for the advancement of civil rights. Her tenure in the 
Senate, in my view, was too short.
  After Senator Hagan's work in the Senate, she went on to become a 
senior policy consultant for Akin Gump, where she held a particular 
focus on the health and financial services sectors. Additionally, in 
2015, Senator Hagan became a resident fellow at the Institute of 
Politics at Harvard University, where she studied the influence money 
has in our politics. She said, ``I worry how we are going to get good 
people to run for office if you have to spend so much time raising 
money.'' I agree. Our public servants at every level of our govemment 
should be more focused on advocating for their constituents, rather 
than raising a war chest to fight against wealthy corporate interests, 
pressure groups, or dark money influencers.
  Her tragic affliction with Powassan virus, which ultimately led to 
her passing last month, robbed us of Senator Hagan's dedication to 
public service far too soon. It was also a stark reminder of how 
precious our time really is.
  I know Marcelle and I join with North Carolinians and our Senate 
family in mourning the passing of Senator Hagan. Our hearts go out to 
Chip, their

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children, Jeanette, Tilden, and Carrie, and the entire Hagan family. 
Our prayers are with Kay, as we mourn this dedicated public servant.

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