[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 125]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING EDWARD BROOKE

  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a former member of 
this Chamber, and note with pleasure the passage of S. Res. 19.
  Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts passed away on January 3, 2015 
at the age of 95. I was deeply saddened by his loss. I had the 
privilege of hosting an event last year celebrating America's Black 
Senators. We invited Senator Brooke, but he was unable to attend. We 
did honor him that day, because as one of the two African Americans to 
currently serve in this great body, I know that I stand on the 
shoulders of giants like Senator Brooke and those who have come before 
me in public service. Senator Brooke was a true trailblazer, and those 
of us who followed cannot thank him enough. As the first African 
American Senator to be popularly elected to serve, he was a true 
inspiration.
  From his service to our Nation beginning as a captain in the U.S. 
Army during World War II, to his service as chairman of the Finance 
Commission for the city of Boston and then as the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts' attorney general before coming to the Senate, Senator 
Brooke was a committed public servant. Having served for two terms in 
the Senate, he was a powerful voice for housing reform and advancing 
issues like economic opportunity for all Americans. Recognized with 
both the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional 
Gold Medal in 2008, our Nation was truly blessed by his life and 
accomplishments, and his place in history will stand the test of time.
  May God bless the family of Senator Brooke.

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