Doris Matsui: “I think Walter's election last November is a good indication that the system of America works and that a gentle person…”

“I think Walter's election last November is a good indication that the system of America works and that a gentle person can win an election in this country, in spite of all of the kind of rhetoric we have been seeing over the years. I think the one regret many of us in this Chamber have today is the fact that the American public will not get to know Walter Capps better, as many of us in this Chamber have gotten to know him. He was one individual that when he confronted an issue, he could really understand it from an ethical and from a value system basis. As a result of that, he would have added greatly over the years to this institution and to this country. I have to say that my friend, Brad Sherman, a freshman Member of Congress, referred to Walter just a few moments ago as a mentor. I have been here for now 20 years. This is my 10th term, and I also would regard Walter Capps as my mentor, because he really understood what our country was about and certainly had the values in order to impart it upon all of us. I give my deepest sympathies to Lois and the three children. I think all of us, including myself, the people of the State of California, and the people of this Nation, will greatly miss Walter, but we have actually gained so much by his 63 years on this Earth.”