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LOCAL REACTION: Rep. Louise Slaughter passes away at 88 (full coverage)

Liam Fitzsimmons, chief of staff to Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (NY-25) announced her passing.

The 88-year-old had been a staple in local, regional, and federal politics — taking on a wide-variety of issues.

The passing comes days after Slaughter was hospitalized — suffering what was reported as a concussion. The injury happened at her Washington D.C. residence.

She was the first woman to chair the House Committee on Rules sine it was formally constituted in 1789. She was in the midst of her 16th term in Congress.

“To have met Louise Slaughter is to have known a force of nature,” Fitzsimmons said in a prepared statement. “She was a relentless advocate for Western New York whose visionary leadership brought infrastructure upgrades, technology and research investments, and two federal manufacturing institutes to Rochester that will transform the local economy for generations to come.”

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) released a statement on Friday after the news:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. She was a distinguished and dedicated public servant who represented the Rochester region with grace, intelligence and integrity.

From her start in local government, to her service in the New York State Assembly, to her years in Washington D.C., Congresswoman Slaughter was a role model for many and earned the universal respect of colleagues and constituents. Her unwavering commitment to the people and prosperity of our region was truly admirable.

Today, all of New York State mourns the loss of an incredible individual and courageous public servant. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Fitzsimmons added that Slaughter ‘blazed’ a path that many women continue to follow.



Below is some captured from social media of Rep. Slaughter’s passing.


https://twitter.com/RepGeneGreen/status/974667394860843009

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