Ayanna Pressley: “I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands and the gentleman from Nevada and our chair, Karen Bass, for organizing…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands and the gentleman from Nevada and our chair, Karen Bass, for organizing this Special Order. What an honor and a privilege to spend my early months as a freshman Member of Congress in close proximity to a titan for justice and a force for good, someone who spent several decades as a truth-teller and a justice- seeker, who, in his role as chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, knew that the best disinfectant is sunlight, and he shone a light on every injustice. He was a patriot, tireless in his efforts to preserve our democracy, and a statesman of unwavering conviction. He challenged each of us to appeal to our better angels, to be decent, to be fair, to comport ourselves with the reverence and dignity this institution demands and our country deserves. He was consistent and did that even in the face of great physical fatigue and, some days, perhaps, even a weary spirit, in the face of injustice and indignities. He often reminded us that it was our charge on the Committee on Oversight and Reform to be an efficient and effective pursuit of the truth. His body has transitioned, but his instructive words ring resoundingly and true. He was a selfless servant and leader until the end. One of the final pursuits of justice we took on together was to maintain access to lifesaving healthcare for our immigrant neighbors in the medical deferred action program.…”