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.
I’m incredibly saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague, Rep. Louise Slaughter. Louise was always willing to work together in a bipartisan manner to fight for the people of our neighboring districts in Upstate New York. It was an honor to serve alongside her.
— John Katko (@RepJohnKatko) March 16, 2018
.@LouiseSlaughter was tough, unfailingly gracious, and unrelenting in fighting for her ideas. She was simply great. In her memory, I have ordered that the flags above the Capitol be lowered to half-staff.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) March 16, 2018
I am sad to learn about the passing of Louise Slaughter. Louise worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of those in the Rochester region and WNY. It was an honor to serve in the House with her over the years. My deepest sympathies go out to her family. She will be missed.
— Tom Reed (@TomReedNY23) March 16, 2018
Incredibly sad we've lost a Congresswoman with a big heart in @louiseslaughter this morning, a fierce advocate for Rochester and the people of western NY. My heart goes out to her family today. https://t.co/HXqsN2aCAd
— Eddie Sundquist (@esundquist) March 16, 2018
Always loved working with Louise in government and on the campaign trail. She was so smart, funny, and energetic. The first political event I ever went to was for her in '99 (pictured). Thinking of her family and staff today. pic.twitter.com/Y1BsHE1YtN
— Denny from the ROC (@eastenddennis) March 16, 2018
It was my great privilege to serve with Rep. @LouiseSlaughter and to benefit from her friendship and wise counsel for 30 years. Her loss will be deeply felt. May it be a comfort to her family to know that so many around the country mourn with them. https://t.co/sUHsrpPaLA pic.twitter.com/jb0xSl9FNm
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 16, 2018
Sad news out of Rochester: Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has died https://t.co/CZfT9dVHNl pic.twitter.com/0rtjXRpjgA
— Joseph Spector (@JoeSpectorNY) March 16, 2018
RIP Rep @louiseslaughter, 88, the first woman to chair the powerful House Committee on Rules
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 16, 2018
Oh my goodness. This is stunning news. Louise Slaughter was one of the sharpest, funniest and nicest women in Congress. Ranking member of the House Rules Committee. Lot of people will be upset over this. https://t.co/BzJLdRkZjq
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 16, 2018
Louise Slaughter helped craft the STOCK Act, which required more federal transparency.
Real-world impact: Her law led to disclosures about Tom Price’s controversial stock trades as well as the financial conflicts that eventually forced the CDC director to resign.
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) March 16, 2018
Statement from @CherylDinolfo on the death of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter: pic.twitter.com/q9K7elJvDj
— News 8 WROC (@News_8) March 16, 2018
Saddened to see this news. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was a fierce advocate for WNY and an especially strong voice for women, the LGBTQ community, and our country's students. Her lifetime of commitment to public service will live on in the many she helped. https://t.co/61ZgEn99RD
— Senator Tim Kennedy (@SenKennedy) March 16, 2018
Outside Rep. Louise Slaughter's office — no staff would speak with us, but appeared to be emotional about the news of her passing. pic.twitter.com/WZIc0fT2X0
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) March 16, 2018
I am heartbroken by the passing of my good friend and colleague Louise Slaughter. Louise was brilliant and effective, outspoken and fearless. And fun! I was blessed to be her friend and colleague.
— Rep. Shea-Porter (@RepSheaPorter) March 16, 2018
My rep. and I loved her. She was fantastic and a force to be reckoned with. RIP Louise
— @SUZNA1966 (@SUZNA1966) March 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/RepGeneGreen/status/974667394860843009
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter secured the first $500 million in federal funding for breast cancer research at the NIH, made sure that women and minorities were included in all clinical trials, and authored the Violence Against Women Act. She will be dearly missed.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 16, 2018
I'm so saddened to report that the great Congressional arts champion @louiseslaughter passed away today. I had just had a great conversation with her last week and she helped kick off Arts Advocacy Day this week with a "Dear Colleague" letter asking Congress to increase @NEAarts.
— Nina Ozlu Tunceli (@Nina4Arts) March 16, 2018
I'm saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague, @louiseslaughter. She embodied grace and kindness in every interaction I had with her. pic.twitter.com/1SEybGK6OK
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 16, 2018
