|
Washington, DC -- Today Congressman David Wu offered the following remarks on the passing of Congressman Bob Matsui, on the floor of the House of the Representatives.
"Today we stand here, in the peoples house to honor and mourn the loss of one its true servants. 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, but also a loss for all Americans. His wisdom and counsel will certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.
"Bob Matsui believed in the value of public service. As a Congressman for twenty-six years and as a city councilman and vice mayor of his beloved Sacramento before that, he understood that government had a role to play in people's lives. Inspired to the call of public service by 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, 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. Several members of that Caucus join me today in honoring Bob Matsui's life and selfless service.
"As a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee Bob Matsui was intricately involved with the Committee's portfolio of complex and important public policy issues including tax, international trade, Social Security, health care, and welfare reform. Most notable in recent years Bob fought to preserve Social Security because he believed that the elderly and the disabled are entitled to a 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 forever be 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. Today we mourn the loss of a great man and a friend. He will be missed."
###
|
