November 5, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 176 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S6389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING KAY HAGAN

 Ms. DUCKWORTH. Madam President, I come before the Senate today 
to honor the life of Kay Hagan, who I had the honor of serving in 
Congress with from 2013 to 2014. A beloved public servant, 
businesswoman, mother, wife and friend, Kay passed away last month at 
the age of 66.
  I admired Kay's ability to find common ground and work in a 
bipartisan manner without compromising her core beliefs, as evidenced 
by both her many legislative successes and her many courageous votes, 
including healthcare reform and expanded background checks. She was 
also a tireless voice for women's rights, and advocated for hard-
working North Carolinians and U.S. Servicemembers by fighting to crack 
down on predatory payday lending.
  Roughly a decade before I brought my daughter Maile onto the Senate 
floor, Kay took on an outdated Senate rule of her own by leading the 
successful charge to force the Senate swimming pool to allow women. 
Making the Senate a welcoming place for everyone is an ongoing 
struggle, but her efforts certainly made it a little bit better for 
women Senators for years to come.
  Kay was an inspirational role model to young girls and young women in 
North Carolina, often encouraging them to run for office at her events. 
I have no doubt that many of them now hold public office.
  My deepest sympathies are with Kay's loved ones. I am grateful for 
her passionate service to her State and our country, and I am proud to 
continue her work in the U.S. Senate.

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