[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12278]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE CARRIE MEEK, MEMBER OF CONGRESS

  (Mr. DEUTSCH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, this is with both great pride and sadness 
that I rise today to join what I really think are unprecedented 
spontaneous words of Members to talk about our friend and our 
colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
  I joined this Chamber with her 10 years ago with several other 
Members from Florida, and particularly from south Florida. Three of us 
were elected: myself, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), and the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
  For those of us in south Florida, we literally stepped on the 
shoulders of giants: Claude Pepper, Dante Fascell, Bill Lehman. I think 
for all of us those truly were icons in American history. We felt we 
could fill their shoes, but we knew of their legacy. I think after 10 
years it is absolutely clear that at least one of us has attained that 
legacy, and that is the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), who 
really in the history of America stands out as a unique leader.
  Clearly not just in the history of Florida, in the history of south 
Florida, but truly in the history of America she is an icon, an icon in 
terms of integrity, accomplishment, work, and compassion. I think that 
is something that she will remain for the rest of her life and for all 
history. Her legacy is not just her good works but her family, as well, 
who join her in public service and will continue.

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