[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN PETER RODINO, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 7, I lost a friend, a 
constituent, and an inspiration. Many of you in this Chamber knew and 
worked with Peter Rodino, a former Congressman from Newark, New Jersey. 
For those who did not know him, you undoubtedly recall his service or 
have read about his life and illustrious career in public service.
  Congressman Rodino is most well-known for the role he played in the 
impeachment hearings of President Richard Nixon. He demonstrated a 
dignified image of Congress at a time when cynicism characterized the 
public's view of our government. He upheld the integrity of this 
institution. He was himself a person of character.
  Despite the important role that he played in the glamorous hearings, 
Congressman Rodino's real legacy is in the work that he did to further 
civil rights for all Americans. As the son of an Italian immigrant who 
grew up on the ethnically diverse streets of Newark, Congressman Rodino 
understood the importance of building bridges to unite ethnic 
communities.
  He was determined to see women and Americans of all races and 
religions receive equal civil rights. In his role on the House 
Committee on the Judiciary, Congressman Rodino was instrumental in 
managing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the House floor, where it 
passed and was eventually signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.
  Congressman Rodino authored the Fair Employment Practices Amendment 
within the historic civil rights bill. He strived to advance the rights 
of women, immigrants, and disenfranchised ethnicities. He never forgot 
his own roots.
  In 1971, Congressman Rodino passed legislation making Columbus Day a 
national holiday, providing millions of Italian Americans with a day to 
celebrate our proud heritage.
  To establish an Italian American presence in Washington, Congressman 
Rodino worked to found the National Italian American Foundation, NIAF, 
and the Italian American Congressional Delegation. It is my honor to 
now cochair this delegation with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).
  As an Italian American who also grew up in an ethnically diverse New 
Jersey city, I have admired Congressman Rodino's record as one who 
united people he represented. His career as a bridge builder has 
inspired a model on which I have based my actions as a representative 
of an ethnically diverse constituency.
  This is the second time in 3 years, Mr. Speaker, that I have stood 
before the House of Representatives to express my condolences for the 
passing of a civil rights leader. In 2003, the Eighth Congressional 
District was unfortunate to lose the legendary Larry Doby.
  I am honored to have represented these men who have molded the social 
milieu that America enjoys today. It is my hope that the passing of 
Congressman Peter Rodino will remind us of the legacy that he left 
behind and inspire us to apply his legacy to the legislation that we 
craft in this Chamber.
  Mr. Speaker, next Monday we will have a mass and burial. Our 
condolences go to his family. He was a great, great American.

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