Congresswoman McCollum Honors the Life of Judy McLaughlin of St. Paul

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the life and memory of Ms. Judy McLaughlin, a civic and political leader in St. Paul, Minnesota who passed away on September 5, 2011 at the age of 66. Throughout her adult life Judy was an active and influential leader in the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) and a force in the civic life of St. Paul. She and her late husband, Mike McLaughlin, were the owners of Summit Manor on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Their commitment to St. Paul helped transform Ramsey Hill from a historic neighborhood plagued with crime and at risk of decay into a national model for historic preservation.

Along with Mike, Judy was active in Fourth Congressional District and St. Paul DFL politics throughout her life. She knew all the players, all the issues, and had an informed opinion about where her city, state and Nation should be going. She was known to every DFL political leader for four decades, and Summit Manor was a well known venue for political gatherings.

When I got started in politics I knew Mike McLaughlin as a powerful political leader and Judy was most definitely his equal. She worked in the Minnesota State Legislature for the DFL Speaker of the House. She helped work on and guide campaigns for city council, mayor, the state legislature, Congress, and the U.S. Senate.

On a gray, rainy day in October 2002 Minnesota suffered the heartbreaking deaths of Senator Paul Wellstone and his wife, Sheila, along with their daughter and five campaign aides. Judy's son, Will, was one of those staff members who died that tragic morning. While all of Minnesota felt a loss, including many of us who lost dear friends that day, Judy's loss was profound.

Yet, the following day Judy attended a rally for peace on the steps of the Cathedral of St. Paul which was supposed to be attended by Senator Wellstone and her son, who traveled everywhere with the senator. Mayor Chris Coleman of St. Paul described the events of that day as he eulogized Judy saying, ''She knew that no cause worth fighting for could die with the death of a few. She had to be there in spite of the immense agony she felt.''

I knew Judy as a DFL leader, a local businesswoman, and as a neighbor who I would run into at the local coffee shop or out on a morning walk. She was an anchor in the community and a respected voice. Her passing is a loss for St. Paul and for all the friends and loved ones whom she shared her very full life with.

It was an honor to know Judy. I wish to extend my condolences to her four daughters and two sons. Judy McLaughlin gave so much of herself to family, community, and country. She was true to her beliefs and for that she will always be remembered with fondness, respect and deep appreciation.