January 6, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E43 his life in a Japanese internment camp during best friend in the Congress.’’ I would add only Each of us knows the adroit knowledge of World War II, never retreated into bitterness that so have this nation’s children and all of us Congress BOB possessed—from his grasp of and instead remained an inspiration and a who seek balanced, progressive solutions to tax and trade law intricacies, to his drive for strong positive force throughout his career, the challenges at the center of people’s lives. basic social justice, to his tireless opposition to representing not just the Asian American com- f those who would weaken Social Security’s munity but his constituency and our country, guarantee. He was not only smart—he was with honor and pride. EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE also principled, and he used both to the fullest Mr. MATSUI dedicated his life to serving our HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE throughout his illustrious quarter-century in country. Due to his contributions, the lives of HONORABLE ROBERT T. MATSUI, public life. our great country’s children, our elderly, and MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM I know he would have relished the forth- our oppressed have been made better. For THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA coming debate to fundamentally reform Social that, we are supremely thankful. Security, to which he surely would have Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to SPEECH OF brought the same passion and intelligence he remember our departed friend not with sad- took to his efforts to help his party over the HON. DANNY K. DAVIS years. As was the case with all things he put ness, but with joy in their hearts that we had OF ILLINOIS the opportunity to be associated with such a his mind to, win or lose, whatever the battle— IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES whether it was welfare reform, Social Security strong, inspiring, devoted man. Tuesday, January 4, 2005 or his chairmanship of the Democratic Con- f gressional Campaign Committee—the level of Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE discourse was elevated when BOB MATSUI today to honor the life of an admirable citizen, added his voice to the debate. At a time when HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE respectable public servant and a generous, HONORABLE ROBERT T. MATSUI, the tenor of politics in our country has become kind man. Congressman ROBERT MATSUI MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM so abrasive, what BOB MATSUI offered was a served the people of California and his nation THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA precious commodity indeed. in the House of Representatives for 26 years. On a personal note, I always felt a close BOB gave our country and Congress years bond to BOB, as we were both children of im- SPEECH OF of his knowledge and dedication to fighting for migrant parents—his from Japan, mine from HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS civil rights after beginning his life in 1942 in a Italy. He spoke of how spending the first 5 OF MARYLAND detention camp for Japanese-Americans. He years of his life in a Japanese internment camp haunted him for the rest of his life. But IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES embraced his heritage as well as the hard- ships Asian Americans faced and channeled it the experience unquestionably gave him a life- Tuesday, January 4, 2005 to positive change to make our nation formally long commitment to civil rights and social jus- Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today apologized for the interment of Japanese tice. It gave him a genuine empathy for people to honor the memory of Congressman ROBERT Americans and provide financial compensation that one could trace from his friendships to his MATSUI. BOB MATSUI was one of those elected to the survivors. work on issues like trade, welfare and retire- officials who earned the right to be called a BOB was a true inspiration: as a Member, ment security. ‘‘statesman.’’ He was a force for compassion, he was a vital member of the Democratic He was, in the truest sense of the word, a competence and integrity—as well as a won- Party and worked to make his Party stronger patriot—someone for whom America meant derful human being whom I was honored to but never let his dedicated ties refrain him the promise of a better life for one’s family and call my friend. I extend my heartfelt sym- from working with his Republican colleagues; community. As such, BOB MATSUI will be sore- pathies to his loving wife and family. as an American, he listened to President Ken- ly missed, but his legacy will live on for gen- erations. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Speaker, BOB MATSUI embodied Amer- nedy to give to his country a life of service ica’s promise, demonstrating how a citizen of and commitment to making life better for all him and his family. humble beginnings could rise to the heights of Americans; and as an Asian American, he f American governance. BOB also reminded us served as a role model to young Asian Ameri- cans that the impossible is never that far away EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE of our country’s sins. During the Second World HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE and that they too can become active in gov- War, BOB’s family was interned in the Tule HONORABLE ROBERT T. MATSUI, ernment to serve the American people. Lake internment camp. This time of curtailed MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM Mr. Speaker, BOB MATSUI’s loss will leave a liberties and rampant xenophobia is one of the THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA darker moments of American history. large void to this chamber. Our prayers and Mr. Speaker, internment left an indelible thoughts are with his wife Doris and his son SPEECH OF mark on BOB MATSUI’s family. BOB’s mother Brian. contracted German measles at Tule Lake, and f HON. JOHN S. TANNER as a result, BOB’s sister was born blind. OF TENNESSEE EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE The experience also deeply affected BOB, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE inspiring him to use his platform in Congress Tuesday, January 4, 2005 HONORABLE ROBERT T. MATSUI, to reclaim the dignity of those wrongly in- MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in terned. BOB worked tirelessly to enact the Jap- THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA memory of our colleague, BOB MATSUI, as we anese American Redress Act, in which the honor his life and his long service to this Con- government formally apologized for internment SPEECH OF gress and to our Nation. and offered compensation. I had the pleasure of serving alongside BOB Mr. Speaker, James Baldwin once said, ‘‘I HON. ROSA L. DELAURO on the Ways and Means Committee since love America more than any other country in OF CONNECTICUT 1996 and knew him to be a statesman of the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES enormous ability and integrity, a man of kind on the right to criticize her perpetually.’’ BOB and gentle nature, a rare individual with whom Tuesday, January 4, 2005 MATSUI loved America in just this spirit. When one could disagree without finding him to be John F. Kennedy told Americans to ask what Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise with disagreeable. These are the most important they could do for their country, BOB pledged to great sadness as we honor our dear friend qualities a public servant in this House of Rep- become a public servant. He served diligently and colleague, Congressman BOB MATSUI, resentatives could possess. BOB made an im- for 26 years. who passed away this New Year’s Day. I al- measurable contribution to the House. His Mr. Speaker, we will miss BOB’s leadership ways say that it is a privilege to serve in this keen intellect and ability to craft bipartisan leg- as the new Congress wades through the body. But for 25 years, it was this institution islation will be missed by me and the entire murky waters of Social Security policy. Our that was privileged—privileged to call BOB Congress. Democratic House Leader, Congresswoman MATSUI one of its Members. He was a com- Our thoughts and prayers are with BOB’s NANCY PELOSI, was quite accurate when she passionate man dedicated to his constituents family at this difficult time. His passing is truly noted that ‘‘America’s seniors have lost their and family, and resolute in his ideals. a great loss for our Nation. VerDate Aug 04 2004 06:33 Jan 07, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A06JA8.052 E06PT1 E44 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 6, 2005 EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE someone who made everyone feel special. He was a valued member of the Democratic HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE would solicit your opinions on the issue before Party, he never forgot that his primary respon- HONORABLE ROBERT T. MATSUI, us, even though his depth on the issues like sibility was to all of the people of California’s MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM tax policy, trade, social security and medicare, 5th Congressional District, regardless of party THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA surpassed anything anyone else had. He affiliation. BOB always did what he thought cared for this institution and the process of de- was best for his constituents and for the coun- SPEECH OF mocracy and he exuded boundless optimism try. He worked tirelessly for them in Congress HON.