Nancy Pelosi: “this week the State of California and indeed the Nation has lost a great leader. Leo McCarthy was a statesman, he was a…”

“this week the State of California and indeed the Nation has lost a great leader. Leo McCarthy was a statesman, he was a great champion for justice, and he was a dear friend and purposeful mentor to me. As speaker of the California State House and Lieutenant Governor, Leo McCarthy promoted a values-based agenda to educate our children, grow our economy and protect our environment. After he left office as the head of the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco, Mr. McCarthy taught children and students about promoting justice according to the highest ethical standard. He was brilliant, he was principled and committed to the future. I am proud to have called Leo a friend for more than 30 years. He encouraged me not only to support candidates and be involved in the political process, but he was the main force in encouraging me to run for office in the first place in my own right. Again, he was my friend and mentor, but he was that to so many people in California. Many who serve in this Congress today were mentored by Leo McCarthy, going back many years. As recently as Saturday night when I spoke to Leo, he was optimistic about the future. He said, "My morale is high. I am surrounded by my children and my grandchildren," and of course his wife, whom he adored, Jackie.”