Bill Lee: “First let me thank Congressman Tonko for leading this important hour in memory of our beloved friend and colleague…”

“First let me thank Congressman Tonko for leading this important hour in memory of our beloved friend and colleague, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. Every time I walk on this floor, I still look for Louise. Actually, Paul, right there. The void that she has left is just unbearable. Her passing was devastating news for all of us here, but I must once again send my thoughts and condolences to her beautiful daughters, her grandchildren, to her entire congressional district, the State of New York, and really, to our entire country. Louise was a dear friend and mentor, and she was an unparalleled legislator. Of course, she loved her district and fought for them with passion, intellect, and dedication. I also want to say to Louise's staff how much I know, like Anna said, that she loved you and she respected you. I have to say, around here poaching is a no-no. Well, Louise poached one of my staff members, and I told her. And when we talked about it, I said: I am so happy, Louise. You are the only Member that I would be happy about poaching. And so thank you, all, because I know she loved you, and I was happy to allow Louise to poach my staff because she did an incredible job for Louise. Louise invited me to her district several times. I tell you, the love and the respect all across her district, I witnessed. I said, if only my district saw this, how she brought people together, because I think we could learn a lot from Louise's ability to build coalitions.…”