Political Quotes

“Ed Madigan's unexpected passing away came as a shock to all of us who regarded him as our friend. Had he lived, he would have celebrated his 59th birthday the day after tomorrow. Ed Madigan served the citizens of his district in north-central Illinois for almost two decades. And he served them well. His legislative career began in 1967 in Springfield where he served in the Illinois State House of Representatives. He brought his many talents to Congress in 1973 after 6 years in the Illinois General Assembly. Ed's many Springfield honors included being named Outstanding State Legislator. His legislative abilities became apparent to those of us in this Chamber shortly after his arrival in Washington. He was a master of working out compromises where others failed to make progress. Ed Madigan willingly sacrificed the position he loved so much in this House of Representatives to heed the call of President George Bush to become a member of the President's Cabinet. He was the Nation's 24th Secretary of Agriculture. Ed Madigan was a fine son of the State of Illinois. He was our colleague, and most important, he was our friend. Ed Madigan will be missed. In closing, I would like to extend our sympathies to his wife, Evelyn.”