[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR MARY ROSE OAKAR

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my Ohio colleagues, rise in 
grateful memory of Ohio Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar, who served from 
1977 to 1993 in this House. She was the first Democratic woman elected 
to Congress from Ohio.
  Mary Rose was elected from the heart of the working class of people. 
She exhibited raw courage, loyalty, perseverance, high learning, 
precious humor, and stellar insight into human nature. Her hearty 
giggle elevated people's spirits, and she suffered no fools. She stood 
her ground, and she plowed her own ground, establishing herself as a 
preeminent advocate for women's economic rights.
  She championed senior citizens and the refinancing of Social Security 
in April of 1983, serving on the House Select Committee on Aging, while 
also advocating for housing, pay equity, improved healthcare for women, 
breast cancer research, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and 
the NASA Glenn Research Center, to name a few. Eventually, she moved 
into the ranks of House Democratic leaders where she firmly stood as 
vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.
  As the first Arab-American woman, the first Syrian-American woman, 
and the first Lebanese-American woman to serve in Congress, she 
fiercely dedicated herself toward peace in the Middle East.
  Mary Rose worked hard to promote an economy that serves everyone 
across northern Ohio and throughout our Nation. Her abilities sparkled 
as she brought joy, wit, keen insight, kindness, and dynamism to every 
occasion. She and her heart of gold were truly one of a kind.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House join me in a moment of silence.
  In addition to the eloquent words offered in tribute to our late 
colleague, the following statement commemorates the extraordinary 
accomplishments of Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar.
  Congresswoman Oakar's career was defined by trailblazing leadership, 
moral clarity, and a fierce devotion to those who too often lived in 
the margins of public policy. A daughter of Cleveland, she carried the 
voices of working families, seniors, women, and immigrants into the 
halls of Congress at a time when few women were present to do so.
  Among her enduring accomplishments, Congresswoman Oakar:
  Championed economic justice through the Pay Equity Act of 1984, 
ensuring that the federal government could not undervalue work 
performed by women.
  Fought for inclusion in medical research, shaping the NIH 
Revitalization Act of 1993 so that women and minorities could no longer 
be excluded from the clinical studies that guide lifesaving treatments.
  Co-founded the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, a bipartisan 
forum that remains a cornerstone of women's advocacy in Congress today.
  Secured a historic increase in federal breast cancer research 
funding, exceeding $400 Million, and mandated insurance coverage for 
mammograms--work that continues to save lives.
  Advanced protections for America's seniors, authoring legislation to 
combat elder abuse and later advising President Bill Clinton at the 
White House Conference on Aging.
  Beyond her legislative record, Congresswoman Oakar was instrumental 
in shaping Cleveland's future--helping bring the Rock and Roll Hall of 
Fame to her beloved city, securing affordable housing for seniors, and 
championing NASA Glenn Research Center as a hub of innovation.
  She also stood as a symbol of representation. Her legacy of courage 
and conviction inspired countless women and minorities to enter public 
service, knowing that their voices would be heard at the national 
table.
  Congresswoman Oakar's public service was marked by persistence, 
compassion, and vision. She left our country better than she found it, 
and her record of achievements continues to touch lives every day. In 
remembering her, we not only honor her history, but we recommit 
ourselves to the unfinished work of justice and inclusion she so 
valiantly advanced.

                          ____________________