Political Quotes

“I, along with my Ohio colleagues, rise in grateful memory of Ohio Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar, who served from 1977 to 1993 in this House. She was the first Democratic woman elected to Congress from Ohio. Mary Rose was elected from the heart of the working class of people. She exhibited raw courage, loyalty, perseverance, high learning, precious humor, and stellar insight into human nature. Her hearty giggle elevated people's spirits, and she suffered no fools. She stood her ground, and she plowed her own ground, establishing herself as a preeminent advocate for women's economic rights. She championed senior citizens and the refinancing of Social Security in April of 1983, serving on the House Select Committee on Aging, while also advocating for housing, pay equity, improved healthcare for women, breast cancer research, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and the NASA Glenn Research Center, to name a few. Eventually, she moved into the ranks of House Democratic leaders where she firmly stood as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus. As the first Arab-American woman, the first Syrian-American woman, and the first Lebanese-American woman to serve in Congress, she fiercely dedicated herself toward peace in the Middle East. Mary Rose worked hard to promote an economy that serves everyone across northern Ohio and throughout our Nation. Her abilities sparkled as she brought joy, wit, keen insight, kindness, and dynamism to every occasion.”