Paul Tonko: “It is with deep sadness that I rise to celebrate the extraordinary life of our great friend, colleague, mentor…”

“It is with deep sadness that I rise to celebrate the extraordinary life of our great friend, colleague, mentor, inspiration, and much-respected Congresswoman, Louise Slaughter. We met a long time ago in 1983, when both of us entered as freshmen in the New York State Assembly. I understood in that moment of meeting that there was greatness there, and it only built beyond what I anticipated through the years. Louise was a woman of great respect, of great charm, of intellect, integrity, and passion for doing the right thing. And, Louise, this evening, we just say thank you for the impact that you have had on our lives and, more importantly, on the people for whom you have spoken and for those who have been impacted favorably by your sound works. We call to mind this evening the people of the 25th Congressional District of New York, who have lost a great voice in this Chamber, and those of other districts' iterations that she represented through the years that she served in this remarkable body. We call to mind Don and her Rules staff. People who were there as committee people assisting her in her every move. We call to mind Liam and her crew here in D.C. and at home in the district office, and certainly her family and friends, people who have worked with her through the years. It is a great loss for all of us. Louise did everything with charm.…”