Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life, leadership, and legacy of our former colleague and a friend of many in this house, Congressman Ed Jenkins.

My colleague, John Lewis, has brought many of us together on this floor or in other public statements to say what an honor it was to serve with Eddie Jenkins, how much we all learned from him. The humor as well as the intellect he brought to his work was definitely, definitely an asset to the work of the Congress.

Eddie Jenkins was a proud son of Georgia. If you heard him say it, you would agree, a self-described country lawyer from Jasper, a public servant dedicated to his constituents, to advancing the interests, hopes, and aspirations of his neighbors down there in Georgia, and in securing future prosperity for all and opportunity for all Americans.

It must be a true honor for Congressman Jenkins and his family that this tribute has been organized and led by the conscience of the Congress, a man of extraordinary leadership and character and a fellow representative from the State of Georgia, Congressman John Lewis.

Congressman Jenkins will long be remembered as a leader willing to work across the aisle, negotiate and build coalitions on behalf of the greater good. He will be remembered in textile mills across the South as a champion of the industry, a defender of good-paying jobs for local workers in small towns and communities across the region for small businesses. He will be remembered as a champion of the Ways and Means Committee for his expertise on the Tax Code, for his wisdom and leadership, with the respect he earned even when his colleagues disagreed with him. And he will be remembered for his legendary tough questioning during the Iran-Contra hearings, a scene that reflected and embodies his strong will, deep character, and core principles--his pursuit of the truth, his commitment to transparency and accountability, and his firm belief in the sanctity of the rule of law.

Congressman Jenkins served his community and our country as a lawyer and a congressional staffer, in the Coast Guard, and as a Member of the House of Representatives. He'll be missed by his friends in Congress, by his friends he served in Georgia, by his neighbors, and loved ones.

We only hope that it is some comfort to his wife of 51 years, Jo; his daughters, Janice and Amy; his brothers, sisters, grandsons, and his entire family that so many share grief at this sad time.

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins, for a life of service to the Congress and the country. Thank you, Mr. Lewis, for providing this opportunity for us to honor a person we were proud to call a colleague and friend.