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[Pages S6443-S6444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING KAY HAGAN
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of
the late Senator Kay Hagan. Her loss will be deeply felt by us here in
the Senate, both by those who served with her as well as the many staff
and individuals she worked with over time. Senator Hagan was a
dedicated public servant who touched many lives faithfully serving her
home State of North Carolina.
Born in Shelby, NC, Senator Hagan attended Florida State University
and then returned to North Carolina to attend law school at Wake Forest
University. She worked at North Carolina National Bank, a predecessor
to Bank of America, for 10 years, becoming a vice president in the
estates and trust division. She was a loving wife and mother deeply
committed to her family. She left the bank to raise her three
children--Jeanette, Tilden, and Carrie--and became actively involved in
the Greensboro community.
Senator Hagan started early in politics helping her uncle, former
Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles, paste bumper stickers
on supporters' cars. She was active in North Carolina politics and ran
Governor Jim Hunt's campaign in Guilford County in 1992 and 1996. In
1998, she ran for the North Carolina State Senate and served there for
10 years, where she cochaired the budget committee. During her 6-year
tenure as cochair of the budget, she increased North Carolina's Rainy
Day fund and balanced five straight budgets. I commend her commitment
to fiscal responsibility and achieving a balanced budget. In 2008, she
won the election for the U.S. Senate seat and showed up in Congress
ready to work for North Carolinians back home.
One thing Senator Hagan was known for here in the Senate was the
effort she put in to be as open and accessible to her constituents. As
a dedicated public servant, Senator Hagan made constituent services a
priority and often traveled the State hosting ``Conversations with
Kay.''
It is difficult to pinpoint Senator Hagan's single most greatest
achievement. During her political career at the local, State, and
Federal level, Senator Hagan championed many important issues and
served as a tireless advocate for her constituents.
Representing one of the most military-friendly States in the Nation,
[[Page S6444]]
Senator Hagan advocated for Active-Duty military, veterans, and their
families in her role serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Coming from a military family, Senator Hagan understood the needs of
those who serve our country and their families. Along with Senator
Burr, she was key in getting documents released pertaining to
contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, giving families the answers they
deserved. She was constantly reminding us all to remember and
understand the sacrifices made by our military and their families,
often telling their stories on the Senate floor.
I had the privilege of working with Senator Hagan on issues before
the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. From her
time in the State senate, Senator Hagan was a champion for financial
literacy education, and I greatly enjoyed our work together on
financial literacy initiatives for children. I worked very closely with
Senator Hagan on the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act,
which we offered as an amendment together, along with Senator Hatch, to
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act when it was being
considered in committee. She was instrumental in the creation of a new
pathway for biosimilars, a lower cost alternative to biologic drugs.
Our work together has fostered competition and improved choices for
American patients.
Senator Hagan understood the true value of bipartisan work and
developed strong relationships with Members of both parties. I admired
her commitment to work across the aisle and reconcile shared goals of
bettering the lives of Americans.
She was a committed woman of faith, serving as a Sunday school
teacher for many years. A member of the Presbyterian Church, she was
always one to do what she thought was right rather than what was
easiest.
My wife Diana joins me in sending our deepest condolences to her
loved ones. We hope she will find eternal peace and happiness knowing
she had a profound effect on all that knew her as a colleague, as a
mother and as a friend.
____________________
