[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO NEW MINORITY WHIP, THE HONORABLE NANCY PELOSI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege and a joy for me to 
be able to praise and recognize our new whip, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi). The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) 
has been a role model for anyone interested in entering politics and is 
a shining example of effective leadership. I can think of no better 
Member to galvanize our efforts here in Congress during these trying 
yet promising times.
  The gentlewoman is true to her convictions, whether that be fighting 
for human rights in China, defending a woman's right to choose, or 
looking after the well-being of working families, and she will not back 
down on these critical issues.
  As whip of our party, it will be the gentlewoman's job to corral 
votes, listen to Members' concern, and help point this Congress in the 
direction that will take our Nation to a better future for our 
children.
  Mr. Speaker, when I was a candidate with aspirations to become a 
Member of Congress, I was fortunate to have the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi) there for me. My colleagues from California 
know how helpful she can be, and now the entire party will benefit from 
her advice and counsel.
  History will show that to date there have been over 12,000 Members in 
the United States Congress, of which a little over 200 have been women. 
And here we are today honoring the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Pelosi), the first woman to the second highest post in our party. It is 
about time.
  While breaking new ground and shattering stereotypes of who the 
leaders of this Nation are, the gentlewoman will bring about a much-
needed change and invigorate the political process in a civil way 
without creating the acrimony and ill will that has all too often 
defined the partisan politics we have seen in this House.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Pelosi) and look forward to her leadership as the House Democratic 
whip.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).
  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I have three words for the gentlewoman: 
Grit, guts and grace. I think the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Pelosi) does a tremendous job of demonstrating what an elected official 
should represent. I have had nothing but pleasure in seeing her operate 
and seeing the gentlewoman just move forward an issue, whether it is an 
issue on trade, or an issue of a woman's right to choose, or just her 
campaign to become historically the next Democratic whip here in the 
House of Representatives. I think we have someone who handles herself 
in a way that makes all of us proud.
  For a Californian, for someone who is a minority, for someone who 
believes in progressive politics, we have a great deal of pride seeing 
that the next whip for the Democratic Caucus here in the House of 
Representatives will be the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi). I 
wish I could claim she was from Los Angeles where I hail from and 
represent instead of San Francisco.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in saying not just to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) and Paul Pelosi, who deserves 
a great deal of the credit as well for supporting the gentlewoman, but 
to all the world, let it be known that we are very proud of the Member 
that we elected as the next whip in the House, and very proud to be 
able to display her, because what we will do now under the 
gentlewoman's leadership will demonstrate that we knew how to choose 
right. I say congratulations once again.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Solis).
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this moment, this fine 
opportunity to celebrate with the country the new Democratic whip, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi). I have come to know the 
gentlewoman over the last year serving with her in this distinguished 
House. She is truly a pioneer. She is a new face for California and for 
the United States. She gives hope and aspirations to many young people, 
and people who look like many of us here who now occupy seats here in 
this House.
  She has distinguished herself for many, many years. I recall meeting 
the gentlewoman once at one of our State conventions in California when 
I was just getting involved in the Democratic Party. The gentlewoman is 
a true leader for women's rights and issues. I know that the 
gentlewoman will be shattering the glass ceiling that is here and will 
help to forge new, triumphant roads for women and other people who need 
to have their voices heard. She is a champion.

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