Carolyn Maloney: “I rise with the New York delegation to honor the memory and many contributions of one of our favorite daughters…”

“I rise with the New York delegation to honor the memory and many contributions of one of our favorite daughters, Geraldine Ferraro. Last Thursday, New Yorkers poured out in great numbers to honor her at her funeral. Her three children--Donna, Laura, and John, Jr.--spoke eloquently and movingly in support and love of their late mother. And at the funeral and speaking in a eulogy beautifully for her, Vice President Mondale, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congresswoman Jane Harman, Senator Mikulski, and former President Clinton. It would have thrilled her to see four women precede a President in eulogizing and speaking about her, two of whom were Secretaries of State, because it was her life that helped inspire and move women forward in our national life, not only in politics but in every area-- business, finance. All areas of American life, Geraldine Ferraro inspired with her life and her historic run for Vice President of the United States. With her passing, America lost a leader who was as wise as she was warm; a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women. For women everywhere, not just in the United States but across the world, Geraldine Ferraro was a champion and a heroine. For me, personally, she was a dear, dear friend and a mentor. What seemed to non-New Yorkers as a feisty and fast-talking woman seemed to us as just another mom from Queens. She inspired us with her personal story.…”