Expressing Sorrow of the House at the Death of the Honorable Robert T. Matsui, Member of Congress from the State of California
EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT T. MATSUI, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA -- (House of Representatives - January 04, 2005)
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Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, today we stand together here in the people's House to honor and mourn the loss of one of its true servants, Bob Matsui. I am filled with sadness as we remember an outstanding Member of Congress, an inspiration to a generation of Asian Americans, a leader and a good friend. It is not only a loss for those of us who had the privilege to serve with him, not just a loss for Asian Americans but a loss for this Congress and all Americans. His wisdom and counsel will certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time, with Doris, with Brian and Amy.
Bob Matsui believed in the value of public service. As a Congressman for 26 years and as a city councilman and vice mayor of his beloved Sacramento before that, he understood that government had a positive role to play in people's lives. Inspired by the calling of President Kennedy's speech challenging Americans to ask what they could do for their country, Bob Matsui dedicated his life to that challenge.
Bob Matsui was a mentor, a statesman and a role model. As a founding member of the Asian Pacific American Caucus, he was able to provide his insight and experience about the importance of public service and how to get the job done to many of us junior Members. Several members of that caucus join me today in honoring Bob Matsui's life and selfless service.
As a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Bob Matsui was intricately involved in that committee's complex portfolio and important public policy issues, including tax policy, international law and trade, Social Security, health care and welfare reform. Most notably in recent years, Bob fought to preserve Social Security because he believed that the elderly and the disabled are entitled to the stability of a guaranteed income that allows them to live in dignity. Many of us will miss his voice in the coming debates on the future of Social Security.
Those of us who had the privilege to know Bob Matsui and to serve with him will be forever in his debt. His intellect, his passion for justice, his dedication to the value of public service will continue to be guideposts for us all. Bob, wherever you are, it is a far, far better place now that you are there. Thank you for all the sound advice that I received from you over the years. My only regret is that I did not take a little bit more of it. Today we mourn the loss of a great man and a friend. He will be missed.
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