13270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE June 20, 2005 and Democrats alike to interact more, debate b 2145 with wisdom, and that you too can the issues of the day, and work towards solv- It was a unanimous decision ulti- make the world better as one human ing the problems of this Nation. mately to impeach Nixon. I had the being like Peter Rodino. I am glad that this chamber is taking the unique opportunity, well, when I first I want to extend my deepest sym- time to recognize the importance of this won- saw him was on television when I was pathies and condolences to Chairman derful man. I will miss Peter Rodino for all of in college, and I watched the Watergate Rodino’s wife, Joy, and his children these reasons and many more. He was clearly hearings, the impeachment hearings. and grandchildren, his legacy will live an extraordinary man who represented the And I was so incredibly proud to be an on. His example will live on. And I be- very best of this Nation. Sometimes I wish American, to see how this gentleman, a lieve, thanks to the gentleman from there were more Rodinos in this chamber and true gentleman was going to lead this New Jersey (Congressman PAYNE) and in our public life. committee step by step in the most fair the others who have spoken, and I hope f and judicious process to find the truth. that his example will inspire every CONTINUING THE TRIBUTE TO And that is what they did. And that is American to rise to the highest levels PETER RODINO what he did. of their own ethics and integrity, even Who would have thought that several when faced with partisan issues of the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. decades later, the grandson of immi- most challenging sort, just like Peter MARCHANT). Under the Speaker’s an- grants would make it to Congress, and Rodino. nounced policy of January 4, 2005, the find myself on the House Judiciary Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentleman for gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. HOLT) those good words. Peter Rodino offered is recognized for 60 minutes. Committee faced with a sitting presi- dent being brought up on charges that many of us kindness and generous, wise Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my counsel, and that is why we are here colleague, the gentleman from New would have called for his impairment tonight, not just celebrating one aspect Jersey (Mr. PAYNE), for making the ar- and removal? of his career, but the totality of this rangements for this evening and for ev- But, that is what happened in the ef- fort to remove President Clinton from career of this great public servant. eryone who has joined in this testi- And I would now like to recognize my monial to the work of Peter Rodino. office. I called Congressman Rodino, colleague from New Jersey (Mr. PAS- I yield to the gentleman from New asked if I could speak with him. He was CRELL). Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN), who has served incredibly gracious, as you might Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I on the Committee on the Judiciary. imagine. And he said, ‘‘Sure, come on Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank over to my office.’’ He had an office in thank the gentleman for bringing us the gentleman from New Jersey for the law school in Newark. together tonight. This is a deed worth yielding to me. I want to first thank And he showed me some of his memo- repeating. And we honor a man who my colleague, the gentleman from New rabilia and we went over some of the honored everyone regardless of what Jersey (Mr. PAYNE), for leading this allegations. And we were in some they looked like, how they cooked wonderful effort that serves a lot of dif- agreement about what the Constitu- their food, or what ethnicity, what re- ferent purposes, not just to acknowl- tion meant when it said that the only ligion they professed. He could be con- edge the life and works of Peter Rodino elected official elected by the people of sidered a rare person, but, a person for but, as I will mention in a few mo- the United States, all of the people, the our time, a person who we can look to ments, really sets an example, shows President, could only be removed by an throughout this great institution be- Peter Rodino as an example of the kind act of treason, bribery, or a high crime cause he believed in this institution, of heroic action that any human being or misdemeanor. Peter Rodino. is capable of but, in particular, any And when we weighed the allegations So to his wife, Joy, to all America, in new American is capable of, or any against President Clinton, we kept in this time of reality TV, it is time for American from humble circumstances. mind all that we thought those words us to deal with reality. Peter Rodino After all, Peter Rodino was the child meant when they were written by the understood that we are all born equal. of immigrants, living and growing up founders of our country and the draft- And that governments exist to protect in poverty in New Jersey and, as was ers of our Constitution. But in the end and defend that equality. Governments said before, his ascension to chairman he said, STEVE, be fair, keep an open do not give us our rights, governments of the Committee on the Judiciary was mind, and do what you believe is right. do not give us our freedoms. They basi- not something that people might have And I did. cally guarantee those rights and those guessed would happen when he was And it was a once in a lifetime expe- freedoms. If we understand that, Alex- born in Newark. rience to have been in his company, be- ander Hamilton said, we will under- But what did he do with that historic cause as I mentioned earlier, he was stand the very basis of this great, great opportunity and what came forth? one of those people, you know, they Nation. What came forth from Peter Rodino say one person can change the world, William Livingston, David Brearly, was a gentleness, but firmness, scholar- one person can make a difference in William Paterson, and Jonathan Day- ship, great intelligence; I believe, hav- the world. He really was that kind of a ton were the ratifiers of the Constitu- ing grown up around many Italian- person. True of humble origins, but tion from the State of New Jersey in Americans in my life, a reflection of with a dignity and intelligence and a 1787, September 17. They were the the Italian-American culture and herit- wisdom and a courtesy and kindness original ratifiers from the State of New age for honoring one another, respect- that had him rise above even in the dif- Jersey of the Constitution. I would add ing one another, living by a code of ficult circumstances to lead his col- to that list, and there are many people fairness and decency, and that is the leagues on both sides of the aisle to do we would probably add to the list down way he approached the great task that what was right. through the years of those who ratified was set before him; whether or not this And I think it is an example for ev- and reratified the greatest document sitting President of the United States eryone in America, whether your fam- that the world has ever known with re- was going to be impeached, with a ily has been here for a long time or gard to governments. Committee on the Judiciary equally di- your family just got here, that there is So in many ways, Peter Rodino was a vided, with a country uncertain as to a place for everyone in America. And ratifier of the Constitution. I come what the consequences would be if the there may come a time when you will here tonight not to speak of impeach- President was impeached. be called upon, maybe not in the im- ments, Peter Rodino was more than a Yet, because of his extraordinary peachment hearings, but in your own figure in a snapshot of history during a ability, his extraordinary dignity and home, in your own neighborhood, in period of time when we impeached the fairness, and capacity to bring people your own town, in the States in this President. No, he was bigger than that together and to touch people, he country to be ready to lead the way before he was on the Judiciary Com- achieved consensus. Peter Rodino led, with courage and mittee, and before those articles of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:17 Feb 03, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00168 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK10\NO_SSN\BR20JN05.DAT BR20JN05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE June 20, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 13271 impeachmnet were examined. He be- We should be here to do the work of the Peter Rodino and what it meant to me. lieved in the equality of everybody in downtrodden, of the least of these, of Because I think many of us have, of this House. He respected people for who the voices. Then, then the meaning of course, talked about all of the great they were, their character, as Martin Peter Rodino will be known through- things he accomplished, and they were Luther King said, their character, we out the United States of America. great; but I really remembered him as are already joined together by the What a hero. Joy, we join you in say- someone who cared, someone with a character in each individual. ing farewell, farewell to our station heart, someone who was willing to This common ground, we feel and we master, to our leader, God bless you all reach out to, in my case back in 1988, sense with each other. And when I hear for coming here tonight. someone who was running for Congress what goes on on the floor of this House Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentleman for and running for office as a Congress- since I have been here, January of 1997, putting in context much of Peter Ro- man for the first time. I said God, do we need a Peter Rodino. dino’s life and interpreting the message The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Do we need somebody from Newark, for us even today. PAYNE) knows that the two of us ran in New Jersey or Patterson, New Jersey, You know, I am told that Chairman 1988 at the same time, and we both or Los Angeles, California? Do we need Rodino prayed that the Judiciary Com- came to Congress at the same time as someone to bring sensibility, to bring mittee could exhonorate Nixon, but he freshmen, and I knew Congressman Ro- us together even when we disagree. discovered that the evidence allowed dino because he was just leaving then. The integrity of this institution was nothing other than the articles of im- It was his last year in Congress, and it a goal while he served in this House. peachment. was about to be our first year after he Congressman Rodino was the son of an b 2200 left. Italian immigrant, and I often remem- He was not vindictive. He was duti- I remember, I guess it was about 6 ber the words of the gentleman from ful. And it was important that he did months or so before the election, I, of Georgia (Mr. LEWIS), our good friend not go into this with a blood thirst, but course, had known about Peter Rodino telling us when, as he grew up in Ala- with actually a deep love for the coun- and watched the impeachment trials at bama, and he fed the chickens, he re- try. the time. But it was suggested by some membered when he was 3 and 4 years I now would like to recognize another of the Italian-Americans who were old feeding the chickens, if someone of my colleagues from New Jersey, friends of mine, who lived in the Long were to stop him at that moment and from a neighboring district, the gen- Branch area where I grew up but who say some day you will be in the United tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAL- had previously lived in Newark or in States Congress, he would have turned LONE). the north ward or in various parts of and said, you are crazy, or when he was Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Essex County, that I give Congressman beaten on the bridge, if we froze it in the gentleman. I also thank the gen- Rodino a call because he could give me time, do you know some day you are tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAYNE) some advice about running for election. going to be the Congressman from the for allowing us all to be here tonight to I know that Peter Rodino used to State of Georgia, he would have share some thoughts about Congress- spend his summers down in Long thought he was crazy. man Peter Rodino. Branch. I think he actually lived in This is the reality of America. And I listened to all the debate and all West Long Branch, if I am not mis- Peter Rodino is a reflection of that and the comments by my colleagues to- taken. I used to see him from time to all of us should remember not that we night, and basically everyone I think time up at the shore at various res- say words tonight to soothe the hearts did a very good job in explaining the taurants or different places around. So of those who knew him closest, but significance of Peter Rodino’s life. And I called him up and said, Congressman, that we remember that in this House, as I sat here, though, and I was going I would like to run for Congress and it this House that can become so cantan- through some of the obituaries and was a contested race. I was running in kerous, this House that can become so comments that were made after Con- a district that leaned Republican at treacherous, that we remember a per- gressman Rodino died, I saw a section the time, and a lot of people thought I son who rose above it all, who was a of one article that was in the Bergen was not going to win. And he gave me guidepost, who was a beacon, a light- Record which kind of summed up the advice that first day, made me feel house for finite men and women. way I feel about Peter Rodino. And I that it was possible to win, gave me He was a beacon. He never questioned just wanted to, if I could read, a couple ideas about who to call to help me out anyone’s patriotism. He was not a man of paragraphs from this article in the for advice, for fund-raising, to organize who while religious, was religiously Bergen Record on May 17 of this year leading up to election day. self righteous. He never played ethnic and then maybe comment a little more And for the next 6 months leading up politics on this floor or any floor. His on it. It was written by Mike Kelly. to the campaign which I, of course, voice is needed now more than ever. It starts out by saying: ‘‘It was per- won, he was constantly available. He Many have gone back to what he wrote sonal with Peter Rodino. Yes, he was a would call me up from time to time and what he said. Many go back to his Congressman for 40 years. Yes, he shep- and say, well, I understand this is hap- words, which are so soothing, sweet herded all the major civil rights bills pening and I can give you some advice words of charity from a person of im- through Congress in the 1960s. Yes, he about what to do. And then within a migrants who came to the floor of this was responsible for the ‘under God’ line couple of days after I won, he called me House. in the Pledge of Allegiance and cham- and congratulated me. And I had the So beyond any NAIF, beyond the pioning Columbus Day as a national chance to come down, the gentleman Italian American Members in the Con- holiday. And, yes, he brought a grand- knows, because I was actually elected gress of the United States, he is a man father steady calm to the Watergate in a special election so I actually had a who we should continue to honor, not crisis 31 years ago when he headed the chance to come down and be a Con- by speaking his words or his name nec- House Judiciary Committee that gressman the next day after I was essarily, by reflecting his character brought Articles of Impeachment elected. And I saw Congressman Rodino and upholding the integrity of this in- against President Richard Nixon. and even in those couple months or so stitution. ‘‘But there was more. Or as Paula before I was finally sworn in in Janu- He believed in the common man, and Franzese, the Seton Hall law professor ary when I served a special term, he he believed in the integrity of each per- who eulogized him, put it: ‘None of us was constantly giving me advice about son. And he believed in parity. He be- will ever forget Peter Rodino because how to set up the office, how to go lieved in the person who was down- of the way he made us feel. He made us about hiring people, all these little trodden. He provides a message for our believe.’ ’’ things. own party. He does, Mr. Speaker. He And I just wanted to comment a lit- I mention that because when I read should be a model for own own party. tle bit about that personal aspect of the Bergen Record today and it said it

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:17 Feb 03, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00169 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK10\NO_SSN\BR20JN05.DAT BR20JN05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 13272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE June 20, 2005 was personal with Peter Rodino, that thank my colleague and friend, the Rodino family to know that for this was a side of him that I think was so gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. law student who looked in horror at important, how he was willing to help PAYNE), for convening us at the very this process, tried to make sense of people. He helped his constituents. He beginning. this constitutional proceeding, con- helped a freshman Congressman. He I rise tonight as an admirer, someone cerned about the survival of this Na- helped someone like me who was trying who watched from afar as a law stu- tion, that there could not have been a to run. dent and did not for a moment think better teacher, a better leader than Whenever you talked to his constitu- that ultimately I would wind up as a Chairman Rodino who guided us ents or people who knew Peter Rodino, Member of the United States Congress through a real constitutional crisis. that is what they would always say. and then to serve on the Committee on I think even then studying law it be- They would always say you could call the Judiciary where Peter Rodino gave came more real to me, and I admired him up, he would be there for you, you his all and gave his service. So my both the law and the process and the could ask for his advice, you could ask words are to come and express my ad- Constitution more as I watched our him to do a favor, and he would always miration, to thank him for his life and government go through it and survive be there. I just admired him so much his works. it and as I have watched in admiration for that because although we all think For those of you who were in Con- the Honorable Barbara Jordan and so of ourselves as doing constituent serv- gress, many of whom we have heard many others that worked so well by ice and helping people and that is why from today, the gentleman from New reaching out and working with the we come down here, here was this very York (Mr. RANGEL) and the gentleman chairman in an orderly fashion. powerful chairman of the committee from Michigan (Mr. CONYERS) and the Who could have done it but this very who had served in Congress for 40 gentleman from California (Mr. BER- well-tempered and kind gentleman years, who had been exalted, if you MAN), that world was a separate world from New Jersey, a man who started will, because of so many of his activi- from those of us who looked from afar serving in 1949, at a time that America ties; and yet he was willing to spend at this thing called impeachment. We was heavily segregated, and he rose as the time with me. understood there was a democracy and an easterner to fight for the civil I cannot yield back without saying a Constitution, but we did not under- rights of all people as a strong advo- another thing. I know that he was a stand the intimate parts of what might cate for racial justice in America, a person who cared about everyone re- happen through the process of an im- man of many talents, and a man who gardless of what their racial or ethnic peachment. But then this very calm might have been considered ordinary background was. But I have to say that and distinguished gentleman rose to coming from an immigrant’s back- Italian-Americans in New Jersey were the forefront of the national landscape ground. But yet he rose for these ex- very proud of Peter Rodino. He was al- as the media focused intensely on the traordinary times. A man ordinary, but ways involved with all the Italian orga- hearing room. becoming extraordinary in himself and nizations. And I guess it sort of went There sitting was Chairman Rodino, leading his Nation in an extraordinary back to what some of my colleagues someone who had a balanced tempera- way. said before which is that as Italian- ment and seemingly gave comfort not So I thank you for allowing me to Americans growing up, people would only to the Nation but to the world. As share my admiration and appreciation make bad associations and think that law students, we remained glued to the for Peter Rodino and as well his fam- if you are an Italian-American you whole series of Watergate hearings, all ily, and to thank him for the kindness must be involved in something shady the processes in the Committee on the that he showed a young Congress- or something of that nature. And be- Judiciary. woman from Texas, the honorable Bar- cause Peter Rodino was such an honest I happen to represent the 18th Con- bara Jordan, and the way he guided us person and was such a clean person and gressional District in Texas and all through a constitutional crisis. I also was so above corruption, Italian-Amer- eyes were on a young woman by the thank him for his early commitment icans really admired him even more so name of Barbara Jordan. It seemed for racial justice, for his commitment because he stood really for what was that the chairman and this young law- to the 1965 Voter Rights Acts, the 1964 best as Italian-Americans, family, yer from Texas, now a Member of Con- Civil Rights Acts, leveled to the cre- service to the community, and really gress, worked hand in glove together. ation of southern districts, one of looking to always look out for the lit- Congresswoman Jordan would make which was the 18th Congressional Dis- tle guy. That was his M.O. mention, as I have heard the gen- trict in Texas. Many others sprung up So I am very proud to be here to- tleman from New York (Mr. RANGEL) across the South because of his willing- night. I think that my colleagues real- say, that they were on the bottom tier, ness and his passion to lead. ly summed up in many ways what his row. They were freshmen. They were Might I also thank him very much life was about and why he was impor- the new members of the committee. for his continuing abilities to teach. tant to all of us on a personal level as But my understanding was that there For although he could have left Con- well as a national icon. was not one single member, Demo- gress and done many other things, I Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentleman for cratic or Republican, that the chair- know that the students whom he those fine comments. There are some man did not make feel part of this very taught law to over the years are for- words running through the discussion serious and grave process. ever grateful that they were able to tonight that we hear over and over We heard my good friend and col- have this giant amongst them. This again: fairness, dignity, patience, cau- league, the gentleman from New Jersey giant, the calm and even-handed spirit tion, incorruptibility, judiciousness, (Mr. HOLT), state that the chairman was able to do so much. courtesy, strength, a sense of duty. prayed that there might not be a con- I also want to thank him and make Those are some of the words that I viction or that there would be a vindi- note of the fact that as he stayed in think can describe Peter Rodino who cation of the President. That showed Congress, he never wavered from being gave so much to this country over the the temperament of this chairman. But out front on immigration issues. It years and from whom we can draw so he led the committee in that way by might have been very popular during much even today. allowing dissent on both sides of the those times, but he was a person who Now I would like to recognize the aisle, by allowing a full hearing, by believed in reforming immigration and gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACK- making sure that all the witnesses understanding its value to America and SON-LEE). were able to be heard extensively and to Americans. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. over an extended period of time. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gen- And so although I know that there b 2215 tleman from New Jersey (Mr. HOLT) for are many personal anecdotal stories So I say to the family, thank you for helping to continue this tribute, and I that have been told tonight, I want the allowing him to serve, thank you for

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:17 Feb 03, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00170 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK10\NO_SSN\BR20JN05.DAT BR20JN05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE June 20, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 13273 allowing those of us who were just stu- Jersey faithfully, and that is a good in the legislature, but typical of his dents of the law to watch the law oper- word to use, for 40 years, and we mourn workmanlike manner, he studied. He ate and practice. Might I just say that his loss and celebrate his contribu- read this enormous Watergate record. in his loss may we all commit our- tions, and try to extract lessons for It was already enormous by that time. selves to guiding ourselves and doing today for ourselves, for America, from Three times over he read the history of the business of this House the way the his service. the impeachment and the trial of chairman did it during the most trou- He was relatively unknown to the President Andrew Johnson. He studied bling times. public outside of New Jersey before the the writings of the political philoso- Might I say to my Committee on the Watergate hearings, which led to the phers, all this in preparation for the Judiciary colleagues chairman, rank- resignation of the President. His pro- impeachment hearings. In fact, he ing members and all of us, could we do fessionalism and fairness and dedica- worked himself to exhaustion. as well as this chairman of that com- tion to the rule of law characterized He hired a staff of 105, including some mittee during those very tumultuous what he did, and he was able to dem- bright young lawyers, and he began to times? onstrate throughout those hearings the steel himself so that when the pressure To my friend that passed, as I call on characteristics that thrust him into came to modify the hearings, to accel- my friend for his leadership, might you the kind of prominence that he neither erate the pace, to show a little par- rest in peace and might your family sought nor coveted. tisanship, he never backed down. He know that you are a great patriot, a The genius of the American govern- knew where he was, and it is, I think great American, and you have laid ment, as created by our founders over rightly, what he will be remembered down a marker in the United States 200 years ago, is that our government is for best. Congress that all of us can be grateful self-correcting. It is a self-correcting His political legacy extends far be- for and grateful to be able to imple- system, and Peter Rodino, who carried yond that tumultuous time. He worked ment and to follow. May God bless you a copy of the Constitution with him tirelessly and successfully to defeat ill- as you rest in peace. May God bless every day of his professional life, un- advised constitutional amendments America and your family. derstood that. At a critical time, he that would have criminalized abortions Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about helped that ingenious machine, that in- or disallowed organized school prayer former Chairman of the House Judiciary Com- genious mechanism work. It does not or prohibited school integration mittee Peter Rodino. As a body, we have work by itself. It works if we make it through busing. He fought tirelessly gathered to commemorate his life and his work. It works if we believe it works. for civil rights for all Americans. He works, but as an individual I personally appre- Peter Rodino served as the chair of was one of the main congressional ciate being able to share in the honor, be- the House Judiciary Committee during sponsors of civil rights legislation and cause of his life and his works. Although one of the most disappointing and po- principal author of fair employment Chairman Rodino is well known for his sem- litically divisive times in our history. practices legislation. He was instru- inal work in the Nixon impeachment, he was As we have heard tonight, he was mental in extending the Voting Rights also a primary advocate for the Civil Rights tasked with the unenviable job of offi- Act. The impact of this legislation that Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act (1965). ciating the Nation’s second impeach- he participated in is enormous. Given his work in both racial equality in the ment hearings of a sitting U.S. Presi- We should not forget his representa- United States, and the presidential impeach- dent. It was not obvious that he would tion, the representation he brought to ment, it is clear to see that his heart was for- get that job. the people of New Jersey’s 10th Dis- ever committed to justice and truth. Most observers expected these poten- During the most difficult times of the Civil trict. Despite evolving demographics tially vitriolic proceedings to be char- Rights movement he was one of the few lead- and four decades of social change, it acterized by partisanship and animos- ers able to stand up and fight for a better was a tough time in Newark. Peter Ro- ity and grandstanding. Peter Rodino America—against a sea of bigotry and racial dino’s dedication to his constituents did none of that. He would have none of prejudices. As a Congressional leader willing never faltered. It was not by accident to look past racial politics he was at the fore- that. He brought an honest and that he was reelected through 40 years. front of the struggle for civil rights. Wanting to workmanlike demeanor to this dif- Since his death, Peter Rodino has re- fulfill this country’s standing as a democratic ficult job. As the son of a workman, ceived some of the attention he de- nation, he was also willing to bring to justice maybe workmanlike is the right word serves. We are tonight remembering those leading our country. here. the way he guided Congress and the It is also important for me to mention that Peter Rodino led a bipartisan group country through a tremendously dif- Chairman Rodino was a man of integrity and of lawmakers to approve three articles ficult period in our political history. humility who served our nation with great dig- of impeachment in July of 1974, and the Even until recently, into his nineties, nity and honor. By conducting the Watergate conduct of his Judiciary Committee he remained active at Seton Hall, look- impeachment hearings with fairness, he en- really was a silver lining in a dark ing after the interests of students and, sured that the rule of law prevailed during one cloud. yes, the citizens of New Jersey. We all of the gravest Constitutional crises in our his- Tonight, we have heard words like frequently got phone calls from him tory. All Americans will be forever grateful for ‘‘unlikely’’ or ‘‘improbable’’ and ‘‘unex- suggesting this or that that would be his courage and defense of the Constitution. pected’’ hero. Well, maybe a better beneficial to the people. In closing, while Chairman Rodino is most word is ‘‘untested’’ in the public forum, Tonight especially I think serves as a renowned for the service he rendered during but we should not forget what sort of reminder that our self-correcting sys- the Watergate impeachment hearings, he also person this was. He had enlisted in the tem of government works because left a lasting imprint as a distinguished Chair- Army, served in north Africa and re- Americans believe it does and because man of the House Judiciary Committee and ceived a rare battlefield promotion to Americans rise to the occasion, each author of significant legislation, ranging from captain. He was no slouch. Earning the occasion. civil rights to immigration reform to protecting Bronze Star, he came home and prac- We may think that Peter Rodino consumers. ticed law and then ran for Congress. lived in a different era and his life has It gives me great pleasure to speak on the It is important to understand that he little relevance, his service has little life of such a great leader. did not just suddenly rise to the occa- relevance for us today, but perhaps the Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sion. He had studied and he had lesson is that we, that all Americans, gentlewoman for her words from the thought, but even he recognized that are called or will be called to do our perspective of the Committee on the when he was given the gavel for the im- civic duty. Judiciary and joining us in paying trib- peachment hearings, he was not yet Peter Rodino prepared himself for ute to the Honorable Peter Rodino. ready. He said he had not even ques- that, accepted the duty unflinchingly, Representative Rodino served the tioned a witness in direct examination distinguished himself, distinguished United States and the people of New in 30 years because he had been serving this body, distinguished America

VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:17 Feb 03, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00171 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK10\NO_SSN\BR20JN05.DAT BR20JN05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 13274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE June 20, 2005 through his service. It is right that we dino, I brought Mr. Serrantos into my the Members who participated. It is a should recognize him tonight. office to run my office for the first great day for the Rodino family, but it To close, I would like to yield to the term that I served in Congress. It was is also a great day for America for us gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. funny, because Mr. Serrantos kept Mr. to remember one of the true heroes of PAYNE), my colleague who put this to- Rodino’s picture up in his office, like this land, the late Congressman, Peter gether for this evening and to whom we he should have. It took him almost the W. Rodino, Jr. also owe gratitude. end of the second year before he found f Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me a little place in the corner in the dark thank the gentleman from New Jersey for a small picture of me. LEAVE OF ABSENCE for leading the second hour for the Spe- So there was really the great love for By unanimous consent, leave of ab- cial Order for Congressman Peter Ro- Mr. Rodino and Joe Benuchi, who be- sence was granted to: dino. Congressman Rodino would have came the postmaster, and when Mr. Ms. HERSETH (at the request of Ms. enjoyed talking to him. He was an in- Rodino was brought down with Colonel PELOSI) for today and June 21 on ac- tellectual himself. He would have en- Kelly, who was then Democratic coun- count of business in the district. couraged the gentleman to continue to ty chairman, preceding Chairman Den- Ms. GRANGER (at the request of Mr. push for science and technology and to nis Carey, these were days that the DELAY) for today on account of attend- try to improve our natural habitat and clubs on First Avenue, the Capa Soleus ing a funeral. preserve it. So I thank the gentleman and other clubs, that were political Mr. SOUDER (at the request of Mr. very much. clubs that Mr. Rodino felt as com- DELAY) for today on account of attend- Let me thank the speaker who has fortable in those clubs, as he would in ing a Base Realignment and Closure conducted this Special Order in such a the basement of a Baptist church Commission meeting in St. Louis, Mis- dignified manner and the appreciation where the NCAAP, Newark branch, souri. of us for having the second hour be- would be meeting. f cause it is very rare in this place that So the Rodino auxiliary group, people stay to express themselves. women who were at the funeral, who SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Most Members are very busy, espe- wanted the press to know that they By unanimous consent, permission to cially those in leadership, but to have were the Peter Rodino Ladies Auxil- address the House, following the legis- the gentlewoman from California (Ms. iary, they were so proud. They served lative program and any special orders PELOSI), our minority leader, take time him so long. heretofore entered, was granted to: and express her appreciation for having b 2230 (The following Members (at the re- served with Mr. Rodino; to see the gen- quest of Mr. MENENDEZ) to revise and tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER), Mr. Speaker, as we conclude, it was extend their remarks and include ex- our minority whip, come and spend really the right time. Elizabeth traneous material:) Holtzman was important because in time; to hear the gentleman from Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. the redistricting in 1972, she defeated Michigan (Mr. CONYERS), the dean of Mr. BROWN of Ohio, for 5 minutes, the Congressional Black Caucus and Mannie Celler who was then chairman today. of the Committee on the Judiciary. She actually second longest-serving Demo- Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. did not serve long in Congress. How- crat in the House, who so eloquently Mr. EMANUEL, for 5 minutes, today. ever, Mr. Rodino then took the chair- described those days on that com- Mr. STRICKLAND, for 5 minutes, mittee; to hear the gentleman from manship of that committee and moved today. it through the impeachment pro- New York (Mr. RANGEL), ranking mem- Ms. WATERS, for 5 minutes, today. ber for the Committee on Ways and ceedings. (The following Members (at the re- As it was said at the funeral that was Means; and the gentleman from Massa- quest of Mr. BURTON of Indiana) to re- chusetts (Mr. FRANK) and the gen- attended by Monsignor Shering, presi- vise and extend their remarks and in- tleman from California (Mr. BERMAN) dent of Seton Hall University, Mon- clude extraneous material:) signor Joseph Grenada, and the great and on and on I think certainly says it Mr. GUTKNECHT, for 5 minutes, June all. eulogy that was given by Ms. Paula 27. Franzese who talked from her heart, Mr. Rodino was the right man at the Mr. PEARCE, for 5 minutes, today. and the president, dean of the law right place at the right time. Let me, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, as we conclude, just say that he was school, Patrick Hobbs, all of us were today and June 21, 22, 23, and 24. just a gentle person, running up Aque- there. Even our law professor Mr. duct Alley, living in the area near the McQuade, Acting Governor Richard f old first ward. I lived several blocks Codey, Senator SARBANES and Eliza- ADJOURNMENT beth Holtzman all came out to show away from that while he served in Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I move that their respect. World War II, where I was a student at the House do now adjourn. There was legislation like the Simp- the school right near there, where he The motion was agreed to; accord- son-Rodino Act, which paved the way attended St. Lucy’s Church, with Fa- ingly (at 10 o’clock and 32 minutes for immigrants to have a better future ther Grenada or Monsignor Grenada, p.m.), under its previous order, the back in 1986, one of the last important who is still there, and the McKinley House adjourned until tomorrow, Tues- pieces of legislation that Mr. Rodino School that he went to in elementary day, June 21, 2005, at 9 a.m., for morn- passed. in World War I still looks the same. ing hour debates. Nothing has been done to the school. I So as we conclude here, I mentioned passed it recently. the beautiful Cathedral of St. Lucy f Barringer High School, the same high where the funeral was held, to all of us EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, school I attended a few years after Con- who remember the Congressman for so ETC. gressman Rodino did, then he moved up many years. He was proud of being a Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive to 205 Grafton Avenue. It was an ad- member of the Columbian Society. He communications were taken from the dress we all remember, because when I was inducted into the Knights of Speaker’s table and referred as follows: got old enough to carry petitions Malta, and he wore on his lapel that around, I remember that address being symbol for decades. He was so proud of 2423. A letter from the Assistant General his heritage. Counsel for Regulations, Department of Edu- on the petitions so we knew where to cation, transmitting the Department’s final turn them in. Once again, let me say what an ex- rule — National Institute on Disability and We knew Tony Serrantos who worked traordinary night it has been to have Rehabilitation Research — Disability and for him for decades. As a matter of several hours expire even as I speak Rehabilitation Research Projects and Cen- fact, when I came and replaced Mr. Ro- now. Let me once again thank all of ters Program — Rehabilitation Engineering

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