“Congressman Owens spent his last years at Medgar Evers College, molding the next generation of leaders who will carry on his legacy of service to the American people. To work alongside Major Owens was to be inspired by his passion and his belief in a brighter future. It was an honor and privilege to know him as a colleague and as a friend. We only hope it is a comfort to his wife, Maria, and his five children that so many share in their loss at this sad time.”

“For the past five years, President Benjamin Todd Jealous has set an extraordinary standard of leadership and commitment to progress. Lorraine is trailblazer whose courage and compassion will serve as a constant guide in our work to reduce poverty, protect voting rights, and create a more equal, more just, and more perfect union.”

“Today, our country mourns the loss of a leader whose authenticity, dedication, and diplomacy will forever serve as an example to all of us who strive to make a difference through public service. It was an honor to serve with him as a colleague; it was a privilege to know him as a friend. We only hope it is a comfort to his wife Heather and his family that so many mourn their loss at this sad time.”

“I encourage both sides to come back to the table and continue talking so that they can work to an agreement that is fair for management and workers, protects BART employees’ safety, and allows BART to invest in the future of the system.”

“From counterterrorism to disaster relief efforts, Mr. Johnson has proven to be stalwart of interagency cooperation to keep our communities safe. He will bring a renewed energy and steadfast resolve to protecting America and promoting a more just, more equal, and more perfect union.”

“I hope it is a comfort to his wife, Beverly – herself an advocate for our veterans – and to his three sons, how many across our country join them in mourning at this sad time.”

“…I am sad about the fact that they had to be furloughed and have this uncertainty in their lives on top of all the other uncertainty in our economy. Again, I thank them for their service, and I hope as soon as possible means as soon as possible…”

“For months, House Democrats have called on the Republican leadership to appoint conferees and move forward down the path to a sensible budget agreement. While this long-overdue step was only spurred by a reckless Republican shutdown and a near-default, we look forward to sitting down at the negotiating table and focusing on the work ahead. It’s time to stop governing from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis and start working together to promote the prosperity for every American who works hard and plays by the rules to achieve the American Dream.”

“And so, with those qualifications as to what we are voting for tonight, the number doesn’t meet the needs of the American people. The length of time the debt ceiling is extended is not long enough. But apparently, that is the best that we can do, and I commend Senator Reid for working in a bipartisan way to send us this bill tonight so we can bring this sadness to an end and how it has affected so many people. So again, not on its merits. I do not come here to pin a rose on this legislation. It does not have that respect, but it does have my support and the means to an end.”

“…We stand ready. Our Members have signed letters and petitions to open government – that we are there for a clean legislation to open government and clean legislation to lift the debt ceiling that would take us on a path to the budget table where any and all issues can be discussed…”