Bill Lee: “Let me thank the gentlewoman for those kind remarks, and also let me thank Congresswoman Lawrence for her tremendous…”

“Let me thank the gentlewoman for those kind remarks, and also let me thank Congresswoman Lawrence for her tremendous leadership and all she has done not only through this Special Order, but through all of their work with the Congressional Black Women and Girls Caucus. They have really lifted up Black women and shown the world that Black women lead, and I am very proud of both of them for doing that. You know, hidden figures, we are not hidden anymore thanks to them. Mr. Speaker, I want to just take a minute and begin by saying what a huge void it is on the floor of this House tonight without the presence of our beloved warrior woman Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. She was a brilliant and beautiful woman: the first woman to chair the Rules Committee and the only microbiologist in the House. My heart is broken tonight. Louise sat right there. She encouraged us; she supported our agenda, whatever we were doing; and she was a true mentor. I know, on behalf of all of us, we are praying for her family and her constituents tonight, and it feels different without Louise being on this floor. I am glad to be with my sisters this evening and Congressional Black Caucus member Mr. Evans because this is a moment that we have to kind of pull together in her absence. Each year, in March, we pause to honor the countless contributions that women have made to this Nation.…”