January 4, 2005: Headlines: COS - El Salvador: Politics: Congress: Congressman Mike Honda: RPCV Mike Honda praises late Congressman Robert Matsui

Peace Corps Online: Directory: El Salvador: Special Report: RPCV Congressman Mike Honda: January 4, 2005: Headlines: COS - El Salvador: Politics: Congress: Congressman Mike Honda: RPCV Mike Honda praises late Congressman Robert Matsui
RPCVs active in new session of Congress Date: January 8 2005 No: 374 RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.


By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-43-253.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.43.253) on Saturday, January 08, 2005 - 1:20 pm: Edit Post

RPCV Mike Honda praises late Congressman Robert Matsui

RPCV Mike Honda praises late Congressman Robert Matsui

RPCV Mike Honda praises late Congressman Robert Matsui

Floor Statement of Rep. Mike Honda In Memory of Congressman Robert Matsui

Tuesday, January 4, 2005 5:05:00 PM

Caption: Congressman Bob Matsui

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring my good friend Congressman Bob Matsui, a true leader in the House of Representatives whose passing leaves us all with a sense of great loss.

I would like to say "thank you" to Doris, his wife and life-long partner, to his son Brian, his daughter-in-law Amy, and to his granddaughter for sharing him with us in Congress. In addition to the adoration of his wonderful family, Bob had the love and respect of both his constituents and his colleagues. He was a courageous and passionate leader who served California’s 5th Congressional District for 26 years.

As a Member of Congress and as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I had the honor of working with Congressman Matsui. Bob was instrumental in making CAPAC a reality, and served as a CAPAC executive board member since its inception in 1994.

Throughout his career, Congressman Matsui championed causes affecting civil liberties and immigrants’ rights. As a dedicated member of the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) community, Bob fought for a formal apology from our government for its wrongful internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Congressman Matsui and Secretary Norman Mineta led the way in passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. As an American of Japanese ancestry, Congressman Matsui helped obtain the land necessary for the National Japanese American Memorial, which recognizes Japanese American patriotism and honors members for never losing faith in the basic principles embodied in our nation’s Constitution.

Along with Congressman Matsui and Secretary Mineta, I experienced internment as a young Japanese American during World War II. Bob was only six months old when he and his family were interned at the Tule Lake camp just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Bob understood the injustice of internment and sympathized with the other loyal Americans who suffered at the hands of the government in which they never lost faith.

Bob Matsui listened to people, and set about helping them with compassion and dignity. Whether he was fighting for flood control on behalf of his constituents in Sacramento or defending those without a voice, Bob dedicated his entire career to public service. From the time he worked as a member of the Sacramento City Council, to serving as the Vice Mayor of Sacramento, and finally as a U.S. Representative starting in 1978, Bob Matsui served as a constant reminder of what integrity and dedication can accomplish in public office.

Congressman Matsui truly believed in the U.S. Constitution and its promise of "a more Perfect Union." He relied on those values embedded in the Constitution in fights to ensure adequate healthcare for children and to provide a safety net for needy families and the elderly. Bob’s leadership as the third ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Ranking Member on the Social Security Subcommittee earned him the reputation as an expert on tax and trade policy, Social Security, and welfare programs. In the 109th Congress, Bob’s presence and heart will be missed in the fight to save Social Security.

Mr. Speaker, Bob Matsui should ultimately be remembered for his civility, his dignity, and his service to others. He was a selfless role model whose footprint will forever be imprinted on our nation’s history.






When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Date: January 8 2005 No: 373 Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion
Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."
RPCVs active in new session of Congress Date: January 8 2005 No: 374 RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.

January 8, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: January 8 2005 No: 367 January 8, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Zambia RPCV Karla Berg interviews 1,374 people on Peace 7 Jan
Breaking Taboo, Mandela Says Son Died of AIDS 6 Jan
Dreadlocked PCV raises eyebrows in Africa 6 Jan
RPCV Jose Ravano directs CARE's efforts in Sri Lanka 6 Jan
Persuading Retiring Baby Boomers to Volunteer 6 Jan
Inventor of "Drown Proofing" retires 6 Jan
NPCA Membership approves Board Changes 5 Jan
Timothy Shriver announces "Rebuild Hope Fund" 5 Jan
More Water Bottles, Fewer Bullets 4 Jan
Poland RPCV Rebecca Parker runs Solterra Books 2 Jan
Peace Corps Fund plans event for September 30 Dec
RPCV Carmen Bailey recounts bout with cerebral malaria 28 Dec
more top stories...

RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid  Date: January 4 2005 No: 366 Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid
Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?
The World's Broken Promise to our Children Date: December 24 2004 No: 345 The World's Broken Promise to our Children
Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.
Changing of the Guard Date: December 15 2004 No: 330 Changing of the Guard
With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.
Our debt to Bill Moyers Our debt to Bill Moyers
Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."
RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack
RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.
Is Gaddi Leaving? Is Gaddi Leaving?
Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.
The Birth of the Peace Corps The Birth of the Peace Corps
UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Read the stories and leave your comments.






Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Congressman Mike Honda

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - El Salvador; Politics; Congress

PCOL15841
86

.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: