[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 26-27]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 LOSS OF FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN SHIRLEY CHISHOLM AND CONGRESSMAN ROBERT 
                                 MATSUI

  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, this week, our Nation suffered the loss 
of two of the finest Americans to grace the public stage in my life 
time.
  Congressman Matsui and I served here together, and as a result of our 
passionate efforts to preserve and protect Social Security, and

[[Page 27]]

from leading our respective caucus's campaign efforts last year, Bob 
and I became friends.
  Bob was a man of strong beliefs and principles and a tireless 
advocate for children, women, minorities, seniors and virtually every 
segment of society that too often has been left behind. I am saddened 
by his passing and my heart goes out to his family, friends and 
constituents.
  Those of us who knew Bob are richer for the experience, and the 
institution of Congress is poorer now that he is gone.
  Shirley Chisholm too was a woman of strong belief and character. I am 
deeply saddened by her death and my thoughts and prayers are with her 
family.
  When Shirley Chisholm was elected the first African-American woman to 
Congress in 1968 America was in the midst of dramatic change. 
Congresswoman Chisholm's refusal to be labeled or marginalized by what 
she called ``a small group of old men'' in Washington challenged the 
status quo and changed America for the better. Her barrier-breaking run 
for the 1972 Democratic Presidential nomination represented the best 
qualities of our democracy. Her unique friendships, bi-partisan style 
and staunch advocacy for the people she represented are a lesson to us 
all. She will be missed.

                          ____________________