January 12, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H209 Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as the want to say ‘‘senior member’’—in the our Nation. His values, his vision, and senior member of the New York delega- New York delegation for getting us off his effectiveness for the people of New tion, it affords me a great honor to to a start to sing the praises of Mario York were an inspiration around the come from the Empire State of New Cuomo. It is my honor to join the New world. He was a man of principle and York, where we have so many people York delegation. I feel honored to do eloquence—that was good—and all the we are proud of, but because Mario so. Four of our children were born in world saw, again, that manifested in Cuomo represented the true nature of New York, so that gives me some the ‘‘shining city on a hill’’ speech at the American Dream, we from the standing on the subject. the 1984 Democratic Convention. State of New York would just like to Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to With those soaring words, Governor laud the contributions that he has join the New York delegation in paying Cuomo summoned the best of America made, not just to Queens, where he was tribute to the memory of Governor and called us to empower the working raised, not just to the great State of Mario Cuomo. I am reminded of Eccle- people and middle class families who New York, but to those democratic siasticus. We all know this, but just are the backbone of our Nation. He principles that all of us believe in, and think of how appropriate it is for Mario asked us to remember how futures are no one could articulate it the way our Cuomo. built. We know Mario Cuomo’s lan- great Governor has. In Ecclesiasticus, it says: guage and leadership will echo through So many people have come to this Now let us praise great men, the heroes of the ages just as vital, just as urgent, country from faraway places, and our Nation. just as energizing as his words were somehow, when they succeed, some They led the people by their counsel and that day. change their names, some change their their knowledge of the laws. From their font In word and deed, Governor Cuomo attitudes, and some just absolutely for- of wisdom, they gave instruction. challenged us to make real the Amer- These are godly men whose righteous deeds get how they got here and how they ican Dream. He had it for his family. were perceived; but Mario Cuomo was have not been forgotten. Their wealth is their descendants, and their inheritance is He wanted it for everyone else, for all different. their children’s children. Their bodies are who strived to realize it, and opened Mario was so proud of the fact that buried in peace, and their names will live the doors of opportunity for every his parents were immigrants. He was forever. American family. proud of the fact that they came here The people will tell of their wisdom, and Family meant everything to him. He with nothing but a hope and a dream the congregation will continue to sing their was a proud Governor of New York for that their son would succeed. He suc- praise. three terms, but his proudest achieve- ceeded in everything that he touched, Does that remind you of Mario ment was his beautiful family. No one from neighborhood arbitration, to sec- Cuomo? Is that perfectly appropriate could miss the pride and inspiration he retary of state, to Lieutenant Gov- for him? Surely, those words apply to found in his immigrant parents and ernor; and, of course, the Nation re- the life and legacy of our great de- how he talked about them so beau- members him as Governor and as one parted friend, Mario. tifully or in his boundless dedication to who articulated the principles not of As a fellow Italian American, I have Matilda and his children. the Democratic Party, but of the entire always taken great pride in his leader- Our country has lost a great leader, country at a Democratic Convention. ship. As a San Franciscan who hosted but his family has lost a devoted hus- Of course, he leaves behind a son the Democratic Convention, we in Cali- band to his wife of over 60 years, to Ma- who, for those of us who attended his fornia had some kind of claim on Mario tilda. He was a loving father to five funeral would have to say not only did Cuomo because of the great speech that children—Margaret, Andrew, Maria, he talk about his father in terms that he made at that convention which Mr. Madeline, and Christopher—and was a made us all feel proud, but in that RANGEL referenced, but my observing doting grandfather to some really love- voice that he had, if you closed your of his greatness goes farther back than ly grandchildren. eyes for one moment, you would see that. My husband, Paul, and I and our en- that Mario Cuomo did not die. He left It was during a trip to Italy that we tire family are heartbroken. We are his son to continue in describing the were invited by President Carter in really heartbroken by his passing, and great opportunity that we have in this 1980 to bring the sympathy and support we continue to extend our deepest sym- great country. of the American people to Italy at the I am so glad that so many New York- pathy and love to Matilda and their time of the earthquake, when they lost ers are here. Because we are here for family. 2,700 lives and which left 265,000 people I hope it is a comfort to them that so such a short period of time—we are in homeless. I mention that because we many people in their own State, in the committees and reorganizing—the del- went by helicopter from village to vil- country, and, really, throughout the egation has asked me to reduce my re- lage to village. Villages were dev- world mourn their loss and continue to marks to 2 minutes, and I share that astated. pray for them and continue to be in- concern with the rest of our great dele- Mario Cuomo, here was this person spired by this great man. gation. who had such a large spirit and a good It is my great pleasure to yield back As Ecclesiasticus says: soul, who could sympathize with these the balance of my time so that the gen- People will tell of his wisdom, and the con- people in English and Italian. For ex- gregation will continue to sing his praise. tleman from New York, JOSEPH CROW- ample, in a village where a First Com- LEY, may control the remainder of my I thank Mr. CROWLEY for yielding. I time. munion class was rehearsing for First thank him for bringing us together to Communion, all of the 7-year-olds in sing the praises of Mario Cuomo. f that village were in that church when Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you. COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF the earthquake hit. The roof came Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- MARIO CUOMO down, and every 7-year-old in the vil- woman from Rochester, New York, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under lage was lost. LOUISE SLAUGHTER. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Imagine the grief of those individual Ms. SLAUGHTER. I thank Mr. CROW- uary 6, 2015, the gentleman from New families and of that community to lose LEY for yielding to me. There is so York (Mr. CROWLEY) is recognized for those children, but as you would ex- much on my mind as to what I could the remainder of the hour as the des- pect, he was up to the task, knowing say about him. ignee of the minority leader. that words were completely inadequate I knew him longer than the rest of Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield and that no sympathy could meet the the New Yorkers. I met him in 1973. I to the gentlewoman from California pain that they were feeling; nonethe- was a member of the Democratic State (Ms. PELOSI), the minority leader of less, there was this beautiful, sympa- committee in Rochester, New York, the House. thetic man identifying with these peo- and I was asked by the district attor- Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman ple from a region from which his fam- ney to come over to his house and meet for yielding. ily had come in southern Italy. a man from New York City who was I thank the distinguished member Mario Cuomo was a pillar of strength thinking about running for Governor; and longest-serving member—I don’t through his community, his State, and so I joined my friends and sat in the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:30 Jan 13, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K12JA7.033 H12JAPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 12, 2015 living room for about an hour, await- those 2 years of showing him upstate This week in 1975, I became a member ing the guest from New York to get off New York. And then when he got elect- of the New York State Assembly. This the telephone in the kitchen and come ed lieutenant governor—I ran that up- week in 1975, Mario Cuomo became sec- out and talk to us. state campaign—the State Police took retary of state. I left to come to Con- He came out. He was perfectly over. But we still carried on all these gress in 1990, so I am fortunate to have charming, but he didn’t know upstate great conversations we had. And I re- served in the legislature 16 of the 20 New York. He started by telling us: ‘‘A member one of the policemen said once years that he served in the executive lot of people are talking to me about that no matter how upset Mario was, branch. running for Governor, and I thought it when he got off the plane and would go And in 1983, when I became chairman would be a good idea if I came up here 10 miles or 10 rounds with Louise, they of the Education Committee, I really to see what all of you thought.’’ were off on a whole other subject. got to know him and to speak to him I left the house that night, and I said I learned so much from him. And I and to understand what everyone that to my friend that I was driving with: know that everybody thinks of him as has spoken has already said. Above all, ‘‘He is really a nice guy, and he is very a one-speech maker sort of a—but let this man never forgot, and he under- smart, but, boy, he needs a lot of help.’’ me tell you, that was not it. The stood how important it was for him to I was really pretty lucky, I think, that speech that he made at Notre Dame be the son of an immigrant family. So I got to do that. As it turns out, Gov- was so incredibly wonderful and so im- he wanted everyone else to have the ernor Carey ran for Governor at that portant and so instructive that every- same opportunity. time, and Mr. Cuomo was appointed body should read that as well. But one Yes, he was eloquent. Yes, he had to secretary of state. of my very favorites was when he made be a great human being—after all, he He had some great ideas for upstate his speech about my hometown of was a minor league baseball player and New York. One of them was they were Rochester on Lake Ontario. was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, I going to have an upstate coordinator, He described Rochester as a necklace believe, to play ball, that alone makes which is kind of an amorphous title, of neighborhoods clustered around the him a great guy. But he was an elo- but I was very blessed that he let me lake. Now that is talking. And he also quent man who also remembered his try that job. I had been out of the talked about life, that our life needed humble beginnings in the grocery workforce. I was home. My youngest to be more than to just hope always to store, having to work to get through child was about 12 years old. It was land on the safe squares. And we law school, to be able to understand. back in the day when one income could thought that was such an incredible So when I stood in front of him as bring up a family and educate them. thing to think about, that your life had one who had been born an American to have more meaning than that. citizen—but a lot of people forgot along b 1945 The people that we worked with at the way that we were and treated us in the secretary of state’s office who were And so trying to get back into work a different way—he understood. There holdovers from the previous adminis- and to get back into all of that was was that simpatico that he had with tration had said to me many, many pretty difficult for me. And I am not him, where he understood where we times how wonderful it was for them to sure anybody else would have put up came from and what we needed. And I be able to work for such a first-rate with me, other than Mario Cuomo, giv- am just so honored to have served all lawyer. And believe me, he really was. ing me every opportunity in the world those years with Mario Cuomo and to He loved the country, as NANCY to try to learn what it is we were try- have considered him a friend. PELOSI pointed out. His love of his fam- ing to do. When I went to his funeral, Matilda But, boy, did I ever teach him a few ily was absolutely legendary. He was a man of deep conviction, of religious was just so gracious because she wrote things. We had an old State car, a rat- a book once where she asked people to tletrap. I drove him all over upstate faith, who loved his family more than anything. But he also loved the great write about who had influenced them. New York, and the conversations we And I wrote about a certain gentleman had would absolutely astound you. opportunity that this country had given to him. in the Bronx who had played major role We stopped one day in one of our in my starting my public career. And beautiful rural villages in upstate He talked so admiringly of his father and the strength that his father and she remembered that. named Pavilion to get a cup of coffee. And I, once again, offer my condo- And a 16-year-old girl came out to wait mother had, coming here with literally nothing. And it was the manual labor lences to the Cuomo family. on us. And here he was: a new person to But we should not feel sorry that he speak to. Now, those of you who knew that his father did to lift himself up and, consequently, his family to a bet- is gone. We have been blessed with the him know how exciting that would be. fact that he lived among us. And for And he started in by asking her, What ter life, and the country. He loved New York. He loved its peo- me, 16 of those 20 years, I learned so was the main business in Pavilion? ple. He loved its history more than much from him, and hopefully I was What was the gross domestic product anything. He loved the institution of able to help him along the way at there? He was asking her all these governing. times too. questions. And all she wanted to do was So I speak of him as somebody that Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my friend get him a cup of coffee. And I felt a lit- maybe other people didn’t get to know from the Bronx. tle sorry for her, so I said, ‘‘He is the the way I did, but I admired him al- And I yield to the gentleman from secretary of state.’’ Unfortunately, I ways. And I am pretty sure I would not Manhattan, Mr. NADLER. forgot the part to say secretary of be in elected office at all had I not had Mr. NADLER. I thank the gentleman state of New York. She went back into the opportunity to learn from him, the for yielding. the kitchen, knowing this man was not wonderful opportunity to represent our Mr. Speaker, I too came to the legis- Henry Kissinger, and never came back neighbors and to come down and to try lature and served for 16 years there. out. to make law and to make some And for most of that time, Mario And as we rode around in this old red changes. Cuomo was Governor. car, he would ask me about the corn- So I thank you very much for the We all know that he was an eloquent fields. And I will tell you, if my agri- time, Mr. CROWLEY. We will not see his philosopher in politics, someone who culture people knew what a botch I like again. could express the goals and the prin- made of trying to explain to him the Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentle- ciples of public office and of govern- life of the cornstalk, it was really lady. ment more eloquently than almost awful. And he would say things like, I now yield to the gentleman from anyone else. How do they heat that house over the Bronx, Mr. SERRANO. Mario Cuomo graduated first in his there? What do you think they do? (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given class from St. John’s Law School in Where do they all go to school? Every- permission to revise and extend his re- 1946. And despite sending out over 70 thing in the world interested him. marks.) resumes, he couldn’t get a response or He was the most extraordinary Mr. SERRANO. I thank my col- an interview from a top law firm be- teacher that I have ever had. I just had league, Mr. CROWLEY. cause he was Italian. And that was the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:30 Jan 13, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K12JA7.034 H12JAPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE January 12, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H211 state of prejudice in this country—or rose-colored view of the Nation, he His faith, his passion, his values, and at least on Wall Street in 1946. noted we were becoming too much a his unique gifts produced in him an He went on from there to become a ‘‘tale of two cities,’’ rather than a unrivaled ability to articulate the major lawyer, to become the Governor ‘‘shining city on a hill.’’ That speech plight, defend the rights, and engage of a State, to become a leader of a phi- crystallized the differences in com- the hopes of ordinary citizens. losophy in American politics. But in peting philosophies between those who I had the great fortune to be a dele- doing so, he never forgot where he believe Americans can do more to help gate when he gave one of the most sto- came from. He didn’t forget his experi- one another and those who think our ried speeches at the National Demo- ences, and he knew that other people Nation has already reached its greatest cratic Convention in 1984. I will never were having similar experiences. heights and cannot further improve. forget it. When Mario Cuomo spoke, it He was a man of great principle. He However, just as he was serving as an electrified the whole convention. We vetoed the death penalty—though he intellectual lodestar for progressive were transfixed by the power of his ap- knew that the death penalty was very and liberals nationally, Mario Cuomo peal right to the deepest reaches of our popular in New York—12 times in a remained dedicated to improving New common humanity. row, and he sustained those vetoes. Yorkers’ lives. A son of Queens, in He made all of us feel like we needed Having not forgotten where he came many ways, he reflected the aspira- to do more, work harder, and help oth- from, he always wanted to use govern- tions and dreams of that borough’s ers because that is what really came ment to help defenseless people who residents. Today, Queens is where fami- through when Mario Cuomo spoke: his needed the help of government, and he lies of all backgrounds—Latinos, deep, unwavering commitment to fun- did. Asian, Italian, and Greek immigrants— damental decency, justice, and human- We all know many of the things he converge to secure a decent, affordable ity. did. I am not going to repeat them place to live. He spoke to a sitting President on be- here. But I want to just mention a cou- In today’s political landscape, we half of the forgotten and the dispos- ple of things that didn’t get great pub- could all benefit from remembering sessed. He spoke to the powerful on be- licity but that I saw as a member of those words. In today’s cynical envi- half of the powerless. ‘‘There is de- the legislature. ronment, many have forgotten the tre- spair,’’ he said, ‘‘in the faces you don’t When he became Governor, he set up mendous good our government can see and the places you don’t visit.’’ a commission. I forget the exact title— achieve in pursuing justice, creating Mario Cuomo was right. He spent his Commission on Child Support, Com- opportunity, and caring for neighbors life working and looking out for the mission on Day Care, whatever it was. in need. hardworking people who build our shin- But every year for years, that commis- Governor Cuomo made many con- ing cities, who supply our food, who sion came up with legislation which he tributions, but that may be among his teach our children, who staff our hos- supported and pushed, and some of us most important. He provided the intel- pitals, people who are too often over- in the legislature worked on that. And lectual framework to remind us that worked, overlooked, and underserved. he passed—we passed pioneering legis- we have more to do, that our Nation His own family had owned a store in lation, pioneering in this country on can be better, and that we cannot af- Jamaica, Queens, and he knew full well child support enforcement, which was ford to leave our fellow New Yorkers the value of hard work and of edu- considered a radical idea in the early and Americans behind. cation. He lived the American Dream 1980s. We passed the Child Support For ensuring these ideas remain part and spent his life trying to build the Standards Act so that judges couldn’t of our national conversation, all of us American Dream for others. Mario leave women and their children with- owe him a debt and all of us appreciate Cuomo worked his way into St. John’s out adequate support. He passed day his decades of steadfast service. University. He attended St. John’s Uni- care resource and referral legislation I send my thoughts and my prayers versity School of Law in New York and and family day care, all of which came to his family, including his son, Gov- graduated first in his class. from the initiatives of Governor ernor Andrew Cuomo. I hope they can He first rose to public attention when Cuomo, none of which got a lot of pub- take comfort in knowing that all of us he came roaring out of Queens back in licity, which was focused on so-called join in mourning with them. the 1970s to challenge city hall’s con- bigger items. But these helped people. demnation of a working class neighbor- b 2000 These were vital for people living their hood in Corona. People quickly began lives without a lot of money, without a Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank to appreciate that Mario Cuomo had lot of resources. But government be- the gentlelady from Brooklyn, Queens, the transformative power to inspire came a helper and a friend because of and Manhattan. I now yield to the gen- others to demand for themselves a Governor Cuomo. tlelady from Queens and Manhattan more just and humane society and a Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you, Mr. NAD- and Brooklyn, Mrs. CAROLYN MALONEY. better government. He insisted that LER. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New representative government should be I now yield to the gentlelady from York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gen- just that: a government for all the peo- Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, Ms. tleman for yielding and for his leader- ple. NYDIA VELA´ ZQUEZ. ship in so many ways, and I thank the Whenever he was on the ballot—and I Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. I thank the gen- leader of the Democratic Party for remember as an active Democrat tleman for yielding. leading us in this tribute to our great then—Democrat registration went up Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a leader Governor. We appreciate very much because everybody wanted to vote for who inspired not only New Yorkers but your presence and support of Mario and help elect Mario Cuomo. They who also captured the imagination of Cuomo on the floor. knew he would do everything in his progressives across the Nation. At a It seems only fitting and proper for power to give them a fair shake. time when our national dialogue was us to pay tribute to the late Mario He once told me—and I always had dominated by those seeking to leave Cuomo here in this historic Chamber, these terrible elections. He would al- working families to fend for them- here where some of the most powerful ways tell me that he was my fairy god- selves, Governor Cuomo outlined a dif- and eloquent speakers in our Nation’s father, and he would grant me three ferent vision. Through his policies as history have changed the course of wishes to win the election, but only on Governor and his evocative speaking human events, not with swords but one condition, that I would go out and abilities, he articulated our moral obli- with words and ideas. grant three wishes to someone else and gation to care for one another while Mario Cuomo, the former Governor of help them do a better job in what they working toward a society that benefits New York, the liberal lion of the Em- wanted to do. all Americans, not only the affluent pire State, the conscience of the Demo- He was a wonderful friend and a men- and powerful. cratic Party, and a cherished friend, tor, a husband, a wonderful father. As a All of us remember his famous words had few peers when it came to making parent, there is no question he did a re- from the Democratic convention in San the power of ideas and ideals irresist- markable job. One son is a Governor, Francisco. Questioning conservatives’ ible forces for good. another is a news anchor, one daughter

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He was allowed me to cut my teeth by appoint- going back to 1974, were as relevant secretary of state of the great State of ing me first to the New York State today as they were when they were New York, then Lieutenant Governor, Workers’ Compensation Board as a written. They were timeless; they were and finally Governor for three terms. judge, then later appointed me to be- classics. He led New York to provide health care come the supervising judge in the My favorite story is the one that he for children. He began the Decade of State, having me going all over the told about how he came to edit the the Child, an effort that used multiple State, and then encouraging me to run book, ‘‘Lincoln on Democracy.’’ In 1988, health care and educational strategies for the State assembly and, once I got Governor Cuomo met in Albany with a to better the lives of our most vulner- elected to the State assembly, working delegation from the teacher section of able. He passed the child support en- very closely with him. Poland’s Solidarity Union, which was forcement bill. Once I got into the assembly, I the leading advocate for bringing de- Under his leadership, the most in- thought he was a nice guy until you mocracy to Poland when it was under tense public health plan in the Nation got on the basketball court. How com- Communist rule. was put in place to take on the AIDS petitive was he on that basketball The teachers told the Governor that epidemic. Under Mario Cuomo, New court? Elbows—I look at some of the they were building an archive of influ- York State became the first State in players now when they are com- ential and insightful writings on de- the Nation to enact a seatbelt law. He plaining, et cetera, well, you need to go mocracy. They asked if he could rec- was a great man, and I am proud be- play old school basketball with Gov- ommend writings by American think- yond all telling to be able to say that ernor Mario Cuomo. ers that had influenced his approach to he was a friend, a mentor, and a sup- I close by saying that I thank God— public service and democracy. Cuomo porter. because he was a very religious man, immediately identified Abraham Lin- I grieve his passing, and I send my Mario Cuomo, too, but God could have coln as his favorite source of wisdom. most heartfelt condolences to his fam- sent him to California; he didn’t. He The Polish delegation said, ‘‘Gov- ily and his friends. I shall miss the sin- could have had him in Illinois or in ernor, Lincoln’s writings and speeches gular and remarkable man until the Texas or in Florida; no. are not available in Poland.’’ In fact, end of time. To know him was to love We were fortunate because God had they were banned. Cuomo promised to him. him, through his parents, who emi- give them the speeches that they need- Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I now grated from Italy to come to a place ed in order to appreciate what he had yield to the gentleman from Queens where the Statue of Liberty was, who come to appreciate in Lincoln. and part of Nassau, Mr. MEEKS. believed ‘‘Give me your tired, give me Cuomo says, ‘‘Delegation, come over Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank your weary,’’ who believed in family, here.’’ He pulled out the 378-page index the gentleman for yielding. and we had him in the great State of of the collected works of Abraham Lin- When I think of Governor Mario New York. coln—not one mention of democracy in Cuomo, many talk about his great ora- Thank you, Governor Mario Cuomo. those works; so together with Lincoln tory, many talk about some of the fan- Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank scholar Harold Holzer, he wrote, edited, tastic speeches that he made, but when my good friend. and published ‘‘Lincoln on Democ- I think about Mario Cuomo, he didn’t I now yield to the gentleman from racy,’’ a book that to this day is essen- just talk the talk; he walked the walk. Buffalo, New York (Mr. HIGGINS). Mario tial reading for anyone wishing to un- His speeches were not made just be- Cuomo was known all over New York derstand the uniquely American ap- cause it was a political gathering or State, obviously, as the Governor, but proach to democracy and governance. forum. His speeches were made because my colleague BRIAN HIGGINS knew him True to his word, the Polish version of that is what he truly believed. It came well. the book appeared in Warsaw in early from his heart. It is how he lived his Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise 1990 before its English version was life, and you could see that in how he today, along with my colleagues, to available in the United States. dealt with his family because that was honor the life and legacy of Governor Mario Cuomo’s gift was that he his foundation. Mario Cuomo who passed away on Jan- forced us to think for ourselves. He From that foundation, he was able to uary 1 at the age of 82. forced us to consider our history, and build—and starting with that little When we think of Governor Cuomo, he forced us to recognize our responsi- place in Jamaica, Queens, that I am we think of him along with his son— bility to build a foundation that is bet- now proud to represent, he looked at now Governor Andrew Cuomo—and ter than the foundation that those who Queens and then, by extension, the city then his counsel Tim Russert from Buf- came before us built for us. of New York and then, by extension, falo driving in a car, riding from the That is the true meaning of the the State of New York as the founda- airport to the Moscone Center in San American Dream, and it was embodied tion of which he could make a dif- Francisco, still writing new sections of by a unique individual who was an un- ference, learning from his growing up his historic keynote address at the 1984 likely successful lawyer, an unlikely with his parents. Democratic National Convention which Governor of New York, Mario M. As a result, you found individuals catapulted him forever as a prominent Cuomo. falling in love with Mario Cuomo, and figure within the Democratic Party. Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank you could see that by the people that Less remembered than his speeches the gentleman for his comments on were around him who became com- but just as admirable were his Governor Cuomo. I now yield to my pletely loyal to him because he had a writings. He wrote extensively on the colleague and friend from the upstate real great leadership. American Dream his immigrant par- region, Mr. PAUL TONKO, who also Once you became infected with the ents achieved, and the numerous served in the State assembly while spirit of Mario Cuomo, you continued causes that he cared about, ‘‘Diaries of Mario Cuomo was Governor. to stay around him, and you would see Mario M. Cuomo,’’ ‘‘Reason to Be- Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank in the visuals who were with Mario lieve,’’ ‘‘Why Lincoln Matters,’’ and the gentleman from Queens, State of Cuomo until the day that he died folks ‘‘More Than Words,’’ which is a collec- New York, for the opportunity to share loyal to him. In this business in this tion of 31 speeches he wrote going back some thoughts here this evening with day and age, sometimes, if you don’t to 1974. our leader, NANCY PELOSI, and mem- have that kind of character, people As a student of government, a teach- bers of the New York delegation, as we come, and people go. er of government, and now as a practi- pay tribute to the life of Mario Mat- Lastly, because I know that we have tioner, in 2006, I went to see Governor thew Cuomo, the greatest of Governors got so many members of the New York Cuomo, former Governor Cuomo, who in New York, and certainly a true

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:30 Jan 13, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K12JA7.037 H12JAPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with HOUSE January 12, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H213 statesman, a bold and great individual, into this country called the United ered Mario Cuomo to a place in front of a humble giant, and a roaring voice, a States of America. He never forgot the throne of glory where Almighty lion voice for social, economic, and en- that. He revered it. He was guided by God Himself may have said to Gov- vironmental justice. it. The light that he brought to his ernor Cuomo: This evening, what I recall about the field of politics was immense, and it Listen, you can take your suit off and put life of Mario Cuomo is that as I entered was driven by fairness and inclusion. this robe on. Governor Cuomo, you can rest the New York State Assembly in 1983, So this evening, it is an honor to join now. You have been faithful over a few that was the same year that he entered with my colleagues to speak to a hum- things. You can rest now. Well done, My into the office of Governor, and for my ble man, a great individual, who, with good and faithful servant, well done. first 12 years of service in the New his wife alongside him, Matilda, Mr. CROWLEY. Well done, my friend York State Assembly, it was guided brought to this State of New York a from Brooklyn and Queens. and nurtured and impacted by the sense of hope when there was despair. Mr. Speaker, I now would like to strength and the passion of Mario As was said at the funeral, he will yield to the gentlewoman from Flush- Cuomo. continue to live. His voice may have ing, Queens, New York, Ms. GRACE been silenced, but his integrity, his MENG. b 2015 spirit, and his principles will long live Ms. MENG. Thank you to the gen- The walk with him and with Matilda in the lives of those who struggle and tleman for yielding. Raffa Cuomo as a first couple of New reach to America, to her government, Mr. Speaker. Governor Mario York was a joyous one but a chal- for a better tomorrow. Cuomo’s legacy is important for all of lenging one to pay tribute to the great- May he rest in peace. us to remember here in Congress. Al- ness, the foundation of family, and the Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gen- though the late Governor Cuomo is passion of immigrants. Those two guid- tleman. most well known nationally as an elo- ing dynamics drove the principles, the Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask the quent orator and bastion of liberalism, integrity, and the message of Mario gentleman from Brooklyn and from he first received public attention for Cuomo. Queens, Mr. JEFFRIES, for his com- his career creatively merging the val- As a member of his upstate cabinet ments. ues of social justice and access to af- informing and alerting the Governor to Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank my good fordable housing while protecting fam- various strengths, vitalities, contribu- friend, the distinguished gentleman ily values in my home borough of tions, and history of upstate New York, from Queens, for anchoring this Special Queens. we were able to connect in a very Order hour and for yielding a few mo- Governor Cuomo’s life is a personal meaningful way; the work with him ments for me to reflect on the passing inspiration as he was also raised in very deliberate and very challenging. I of our great Governor, Mario Cuomo. Queens and born to immigrant parents. will forever be grateful for the learning Mr. Speaker, like many other mem- Perhaps it was this background that curve that was developed by working bers of the New York delegation, I also allowed him to regard himself as a pro- alongside this person of greatness. served in the New York State Assem- gressive pragmatist who upheld the I think, also, we need to understand bly. But unlike most, I didn’t get the idea that government should be a posi- that, as his son Governor Andrew opportunity to serve alongside Gov- tive source for good. Cuomo eulogized at his funeral service, ernor Mario Cuomo. I arrived several This is best seen through Governor he made mention very deliberately, years after he had completed his three Cuomo’s advocacy for an activist gov- Mario Cuomo would not offer, render terms in office. ernment that provides shelter for the his words of speeches to an audience So I speak today not from the per- homeless, work for the idle, and care telling them what they choose to hear spective of someone who served in gov- for the elderly and infirm even in times but, rather, what he needed to share. ernment alongside Mario Cuomo, but of austerity. This belief in a dynamic That, I think, speaks to the humble as a young man who grew up in Mario government met some opposition, but greatness of this individual, one who Cuomo’s New York. What an oppor- Governor Cuomo recognized the crucial had a vision not only for his State, but tunity to be able to come of age in the safety net and that government invest- for his country and, for that matter, 1980s with a Governor, a leader, who ar- ment is the foundation for a strong the world. ticulated such an eloquent vision of economy, an understanding that is im- I was also touched by the Governor’s equal protection under the law for ev- perative in today’s political and eco- sharing about his dad, the eloquence of eryone. What an opportunity to be able nomic climate. his speech, the eloquence of his speak- to come of age under a Governor who As a mom of two young children, I ing, his public speaking that reached so believed in opportunity for everyone, am particularly touched by his launch- many people throughout the world. He who recognized that New York State’s ing of the Decade of the Child to enact talked about those words and put it greatest strength was our diversity educational and health care reforms af- into an analogy of a fine bit of jewelry from every community, every perspec- fecting children. He deeply understood where each word seen as a gem would tive, and every religious background. that improving children’s lives ulti- be deliberately chosen, strategically It was great to be able to come of age mately betters our communities and placed, and majestically clustered in a and look up at a Governor who, not- empowers our future. Under his leader- way where that array would reach our withstanding the political potential ship, New York was the very first State senses, would speak to our senses about pitfalls, stood on principle, was ahead to enact seatbelt laws, and today we what is correct, what is socially just of his time as it relates to his firm op- continue focusing on making sure that and morally sound. That is true leader- position to the death penalty at a time children’s toys and car seats are safe ship. And it is no wonder through that when that was not a popular position and effective. This academic year, New speech in San Francisco that he lit to take. He was a great leader, a char- York City implemented universal pre- within the minds, hearts, and souls of ismatic intellectual, a wonderful fam- K, a concept that the late-Governor Americans the best within us, how we ily man, a tremendous lawyer, and a Mario Cuomo championed and the cur- could assume this level of greatness by wonderful statesman and Governor. rent Governor Andrew Cuomo aptly understanding that we are at our best I can only imagine that when Mario budgeted for success. when we incorporate in an inclusive set Cuomo arrived up in Heaven he was I believe in what Hubert Humphrey of principles in our world of politics. prepared to get to work. But I think said: Mario Cuomo impacted all of us, my- that there was probably a greeting The moral test of a government is how it self included, by his reverence for his committee that was there at the gates treats those who are at the dawn of life, the parents’ journey as immigrants. That of Heaven, one of whom was FDR, a children; those who are in the twilight of journey, which was a pathway to free- former Governor of the State of New life, the aged; and those who are in the shad- dom, that journey which settled into a York, the other of whom was FDR’s ow of life, the sick, the needy, and the handi- grocery story, a corner grocery store, cousin, Teddy Roosevelt, two former capped. became the pulse of the American great Governors of the State of New I think that Hubert Humphrey would Dream for his family that was tethered York. And I think they probably ush- have found Governor Cuomo to be a

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I have never f lences and sympathy to the entire seen, outside of people who are Presi- OPPOSING RAPPROCHEMENT WITH Cuomo family, and know that Gov- dents of the United States, the kind of CUBA ernor Cuomo’s respected legacy will be magnetic sense that Mario Cuomo a blessing to us all. emitted. People wanted to be around The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentle- him. Whenever he was publicly out, he CARTER of Georgia). Under the Speak- lady for her remarks. I thank all the was walking in the street or at an er’s announced policy of January 6, members of the New York delegation, event, it was hard to get near Mario 2015, the gentlewoman from Florida as well as Ms. PELOSI, the Democratic Cuomo because everyone wanted to be (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) is recognized for 60 leader, for their remarks today and re- around Mario Cuomo. minutes as the designee of the major- membrance of the great Governor of I was always nervous around Mario ity leader. the State of New York, Mario Cuomo. Cuomo, a healthy nervousness, but I Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so humbled and pleased to see my Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity was excited to be around him. I always colleagues who have turned out tonight at the early age of 15 years of age to be wanted to be around him. I loved the at this late hour in a bipartisan man- engaged in, really, my first political man. I loved him dearly, although I ner to say that we reject the Presi- campaign. My then-Uncle Walter Crow- never had enough time to be with him. dent’s ill-advised treatment of the pol- ley, who was one of my political idols As PAUL TONKO had said at the fu- icy of rapprochement with the Cuban in life, along with a fellow by the name neral—and what a beautiful funeral regime, and no one is better able and of Michael Dowd, were in charge of a Mario Cuomo had, what an incredibly better equipped to talk about freedom portion of Queens County in terms of beautiful funeral—simple, yet elegant. and democracy and our fight for justice making sure that, I think, the Catholic That is how I describe it. His son An- vote came out for Mario Cuomo during than Mr. CHABOT. drew and his entire family, how re- I yield to the gentleman from Ohio the 1977 race for mayor of New York, spectful they were of their father. And (Mr. CHABOT), a senior member of the which was famously won in that pri- I think of the people who attended that House Foreign Affairs Committee and mary by Ed Koch. But that was not the funeral had to walk away knowing that chairman of the House Small Business only election that Mario Cuomo—and these children, all of them, were raised Committee. storied election—that Mario Cuomo so well: Andrew, Margaret, Madeline, Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise this was a part of. He had been a part of Maria, and Christopher. And all their evening to join with my colleague and elections before that, and, lo and be- grandchildren, how they behaved. It friend, Congresswoman ROS-LEHTINEN, hold, in 1982 he once again found him- was just remarkable, just wonderful to in opposition to the December 17 an- self in a matchup between himself and see the respect they had for their fa- nouncement by President Obama to Ed Koch, and Mario Cuomo prevailing ther and their grandfather, for their in- change U.S. policy toward Cuba. We in that statewide election. law. will also be joined by some of our other At 15 years of age, I remember hand- But Andrew had said that his father colleagues, and I want to particularly ing out literature at the churches in told him you don’t tell people what thank Congresswoman ROS-LEHTINEN western Queens and southern Queens, they want to hear—and I am para- for her leadership on all issues regard- and it really was my entree into a po- phrasing. He told them you tell them ing Cuba. She has been a leader on this litical life. Then, in 1984, as a student what they need to hear. You told them issue for a long, long time and will con- at Queens College, I interned in the of- what you wanted to tell them, the mes- tinue to be, I am sure. fice of then-Governor Cuomo. And what sage you wanted to get across. This policy change was a unilateral an experience that was to be working It wasn’t always popular, the mes- decision made without consulting Con- with Bob Sullivan, his storied pollster, sage of Mario Cuomo; but I do know gress and with complete disregard of but officially, on the official side, was that people, even when they disagreed long-term national security con- working in the statistics office with with him, they respected him and they sequences. Similarly, the so-called Dick Starkey, a former reporter, a sto- admired him because of his tenacity, prisoner exchange was terribly flawed. ried reporter in New York City; Marty because he believed in what he was say- In 2013, Secretary Kerry stated that Steadman; to have Tim Russert walk ing. swapping convicted Cuban spies for into the room. We all died because Tim Alan Gross was off the table, testifying b 2030 Russert just walked into the room. before Congress that since Mr. Gross I can remember in 1986 when I was I think what they respected about was wrongly imprisoned, there was no elected to the State assembly how sup- him was he was always consistent as equivalency to pursue a spy for spy portive Mario Cuomo was to me as a well in his thoughts. We will miss tradeoff. Let us be clear: the freedom of young man, recommending me to trav- Mario Cuomo. Queens County, his Alan Gross is welcome news, but this el around the world with ACYPL, to home borough, will miss him. The city exchange was totally one-sided. It was come here to Washington to get my of New York and the State of New tragically flawed. It was not in the best feet wet as well, to get that Wash- York, and, I think, the country have interest of the people of the United ington sense. I remember being on the lost a great statesman, someone who States, and it was not in the best inter- second floor in 1988 in the Blue Room, didn’t look to the next election but est of the people of Cuba. what is known as the Blue Room where looked to the next great issue that As my colleague, Representative the Governor would give his budgets, needed to be tackled, not only in New ROS-LEHTINEN, has rightly highlighted anticipating his delving into, diving York, because New York in many re- these past few weeks since the decision into the 1988 Presidential elections, spects is the leader of State legislators and the prisoner exchange occurred, only to have my heart broken when in the country; he was thinking nation- Cuban spies have been responsible for Mario Cuomo said he would not run in ally, he was thinking globally as well. the deaths of American lives. It is ab- that election. Mario Cuomo will forever be one of solutely true that they have been. And Mario Cuomo was tough. He had one my heroes, as is Lincoln. Mario Cuomo they have been released. Those are the of the biggest hearts I have ever come was bipartisan. He loved Lincoln, a Re- people who were responsible for Amer- to know. publican, but was true to his own ican deaths. Cuban patriots who have He had also gone to law school, my democratic principles and his party as risked their lives every day to fight for Uncle Walter, and there was an inti- well. There is not enough time to say basic rights and freedoms feel be- macy between the Crowleys and the everything about him. But, Mr. Speak- trayed. Cuomo family in Queens County poli- er, I once again want to thank the dele- The exchange was flawed. The policy tics, one that exists to this day with gation for their loyalty this evening itself is flawed, and the announcement

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