Schakowsky statement on the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter
Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the passing of Representative Louise Slaughter:
“I am incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Louise Slaughter – a dear friend, exemplary public servant, inspiring leader, and champion for women’s rights. My thoughts today are with Louise’s three daughters, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchild.
“For 31 years, Louise served the people of New York’s 25th Congressional District with distinction. She fought for and delivered results for working men and women in New York and across the country, was an avid supporter of the arts in Congress, and perhaps most importantly, she broke down barrier after barrier for women. Her whole life, Louise saw injustice around her and got to work to change it – she co-authored the Violence Against Women Act, secured millions in funding for breast cancer research, and ensured that clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health included women and minorities. She liked to say that before the Health Revitalization Act was passed in 1993, ‘even the mice they used in clinical trials were men.’
“As Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Louise tirelessly defended a woman’s right to choose. Louise and I shared a friendship as well as many priorities in Congress, including getting antibiotics out of animal feed to prevent resistance to life saving drugs in humans. Louise was the first woman to chair the powerful House Rules Committee, where she displayed brilliant leadership, fought for justice and progress, and worked with passion and vigor every day to the very last. She was a fighter and a leader every day of her life, and she did so with a charm and good humor that I will always remember.
“Louise embodied what is best in public service. She was kind, passionate, effective, and humble. As heartbroken as I am today, I know that the best way to honor Louise is to continue to work for the causes she believed in. I thank Louise for all she did in her life. The women of America, myself very much included, are much better off for it.”