Donna Shalala: “Today, I would like to speak about my dear friend, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. Louise was larger than life, a force…”

“Today, I would like to speak about my dear friend, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. Louise was larger than life, a force of nature, and a trailblazer for women. She was an embodiment of her district's long history in the women's rights movement, going back to Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. She would have been so proud to see the record number of women elected to Congress this year. She would have been an extraordinary mentor. She was the best retail politician I have ever known. I have never served in this body with Louise, but, as a Cabinet member, I knew her well and joined her in her district eight times and had numerous phone calls over the years. She held degrees in microbiology and public health. Her knowledge of health policy and her political smarts helped her shepherd critical legislation. Thanks to Louise, we have the Affordable Care Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, just to name a few. She was the first chairwoman of the Rules Committee. I am proud to now serve on this committee. It is Louise's spirit that keeps all of us going through long Rules Committee meetings. We should all aspire to be the person she was, to tirelessly serve our constituents, the Constitution, and this country. ____________________”