S516 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 7, 2013 aisle in thanking Director Sullivan for Jim has served as my State director We wish him a wonderful retirement his outstanding service to our Nation. for more than a decade, but his public and want him to know we all appre- f service began many years ago. ciate his service and friendship. In 1967, Jim began his 45-year career f REMEMBERING CARDISS COLLINS in public service when he became a pa- CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, I trol officer with the San Francisco Po- MONTH want to pay tribute to an exceptional, lice Department. Illinoisan who passed away this week- For 27 years he rose through the Mr. UDALL of . Mr. Presi- end. ranks of the police department, and he dent, for more than 150 years, leaders Congresswoman Cardiss Collins did it all. From street patrol to inves- from President Abraham Lincoln to Dr. served my State and the city of Chi- tigations, undercover assignment to a Martin Luther King Jr. have chal- cago with distinction for more than Federal liaison, Jim was given the re- lenged us to keep faith with the true two decades, and I was honored to have sponsibilities. spirit of our Constitution. Today we served with her in the House. From 1977 through 1986, during my continue the work of these two dy- Representative Collins did not plan tenure as mayor of San Francisco, Jim namic men who courageously led the for a political life. She was an account- was a senior staff member in the may- charge—during times of national divi- ant and a mother. But when her hus- or’s office. He was responsible for secu- sion and civil strife—in pursuing a band, Congressman George Collins, rity for both the mayor and visiting more perfect union where all Ameri- died in a place crash, Cardiss was con- dignitaries, and he served as my advi- cans are truly free and have equal ac- vinced to run in a special election to sor on law enforcement matters. cess to opportunity. succeed him. And she won, becoming Jim was at my side for many of the As we celebrate Black History Month the first African American woman most significant moments of my serv- this year, I am honored to reflect on elected to Congress from . ice as mayor. the historical and everyday contribu- When she arrived in Washington, she We hosted two Super Bowl parades in tions of African-Americans to the learned the job quickly and became a 1982 and 1985, the 1984 Democratic Na- State of Colorado and to our country. leader on a variety of issues—from tional Convention, and even visits by Their efforts to ensure equality for all women’s rights, to children’s rights, to the Pope and the Queen of England. Americans are tightly woven into the healthcare. Her colleagues quickly rec- I still remember those days, and I am fabric of our ever-evolving Nation. Last month, millions of Americans ognized her leadership qualities. After happy that Jim was there to share and I watched as President Barack just a few terms, they elected her them with me. Obama took the oath for his second chairwoman of the Congressional Black In 1992 he became a captain and com- Presidential term. And for the first Caucus. She also soon became the first manding officer of the Planning and time in our Nation’s history, there are African American woman to be elected Research Division. two African-American U.S. Senators Democratic Majority Whip At-Large. I have no doubt that Jim would have serving at the same time—Senators I am glad that I had the chance to kept climbing the ladder in the Police TIM SCOTT of South Carolina and MO get to know Cardiss Collins. I—and Department, but in 1994 I helped con- COWAN of Massachusetts. Following the countless Illinoisans—will remember vince him that his talents were suit- 2012 elections, Colorado celebrated a her fighting spirit, her conviction in able for a larger stage and that he record number of African-American what was right and, of course, her would make a fine U.S. Marshal. lawmakers in the Colorado House of sense of humor. On February 11, 1994, President Clin- Representatives, known as the ‘‘his- In 1993, a newly elected Illinois Sen- ton appointed Jim the United States toric five’’ who are paving the way for ator by the name of Carol Moseley- Marshal for the Northern District of more diversity. I also am proud of how Braun had decided—along with Senator California. our State set the precedent for the BARBARA MIKULSKI—to do something Jim served as a Marshal for 7 years, country 4 years ago, when two African- no woman had ever done on the Senate during which time he was responsible American lawmakers, Rep. Terrance floor: wear pants, instead of a dress or for the administration of Federal law Carroll and Senator Peter Groff, held skirt. At the time, women were actu- enforcement for 15 northern California the top leadership roles in the Colorado ally prohibited by the Senate rules counties, or about 12 million people. General Assembly. These public serv- from wearing trousers. And these Sen- He oversaw a $35 million budget and ants were role models and leaders on so ators’ decision ruffled a few feathers had a staff of about 130. many important issues—one of which around here. In 2001, Jim decided to focus his expe- was pushing hard to create educational Well, this didn’t sit right with Con- rience on counternarcotics and became opportunities for all Coloradans. gresswoman Collins, and she had some- director of the San Francisco Bay Area Creating opportunity through edu- thing to say about it. What she said High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. cation is critical, and as we work to was, ‘‘They shouldn’t be concerned As executive director, he oversaw co- close achievement and economic oppor- about the dress code, unless the men ordination and implementation of the tunity gaps throughout our State and Senators start wearing dresses.’’ agency’s programs and initiatives. country, I would like to pay homage to Soon after, the Senate amended its In 2002, I convinced Jim to return to two of Colorado’s African-American rules. my office as State director. pioneers who have worked tirelessly to Congresswoman Collins played a part As State director, Jim advises guarantee equal access to quality edu- in tearing down that barrier, just as around 30 employees and oversees oper- cation for all Coloradans. she did for so many other barriers and ations in my four State offices, in San Omar D. Blair, a member of the inequalities for women and minorities Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Tuskegee Airmen in the 1940s, served across the country. That is the kind of Fresno. as the first African-American president person she was: a fighter. It is an understatement for me to of the Board of Education and I will close by simply acknowledging call Jim one of my most trusted public went on to become the first African- for all the good she did, both here in policy and legislative advisors. American president of the Colorado As- Congress and back home in , I don’t know if it’s his roots as a po- sociation of School Boards. During his fighting the good fight. Congress- lice officer or his Italian sensibilities, tenure as president of the Denver woman Cardiss Collins will be missed. but Jim is practical, he cuts through Board of Education, Blair championed f the red tape and he calls it how he sees quality education and led the city it. through the controversial desegrega- TRIBUTE TO JIM MOLINARI Jim is a real 10. tion of its public schools. Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I Mr. President, I ask that you and all Rachel B. Noel, known as the lion of rise today to recognize the service of of our colleagues join in thanking Jim the African-American civil rights one of the Senate’s most dedicated, Molinari for his years of service, not movement in Denver, became the first loyal and capable employees, James J. only to the Senate but to the State of African-American elected to the Den- Molinari. California and the Nation. ver Board of Education and was also

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