Congressman Panetta Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

SALINAS, CA – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) released the following statement on the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25).

"Louise Slaughter was a trailblazer, being the first woman to chair the Rules Committee, a champion for women and diversity, and a cherished colleague. From co-authoring the landmark Violence Against Women Act to shepherding transformative bills like the Affordable Care Act and the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, she was committed to ensuring that every man and woman could achieve the American Dream. I will miss her leadership and her counsel, but I know that her legacy of service to the people of New York and across the country will live on in the hearts of the many people whose lives she touched."

Congresswoman Slaughter, 88, served the people of Rochester and upstate New York since 1987. She served as the first female chair of the House Committee on Rules from 2007-2011, and remained the Ranking Member of the committee until her death. Congresswoman Slaughter and Congressman Panetta served together on the numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Organic Caucus and Arts Caucus. Congresswoman Slaughter once called the arts "the only thing that I know that tells us who we were and who we are and who we hope to be."

Before serving in Congress, Congresswoman Slaughter served in the New York State Assembly from 1982 to 1986 and the Monroe County Legislature between 1976 and 1979. While holding elected office, she was regional coordinator to Mario Cuomo from 1976 to 1978 while he served as secretary of state and from 1979 to 1982 while he served as lieutenant governor.