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Rep. John Conyers Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Marylyn Schmidt, a resident of the State of Michigan, who dedicated her life to the goal of achieving true universal health care for all Americans.

She spent countless hours, day in and day out, organizing, mobilizing, and educating the citizens of Michigan in order to build grass-roots support for passage of a single-payer bill in Congress, H.R. 676. She passionately believed that every person in America should have access to quality, affordable, and accessible health care as a fundamental civil and human right.

I knew Mrs. Schmidt for almost two decades. I had a profound respect for her unique leadership in advocating for human rights, universal health care, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. She belonged to numerous community and social-justice organizations, including the Michigan Improved Medicare for All, the Michigan Alliance to Strengthen Social Security and Medicare, the Michigan Universal Healthcare Access Network, and the Oakland County Welfare Rights Organization. For over 20 years, she fought for the human, economic, and civil rights of the voiceless and the vulnerable citizens of Michigan who wanted nothing more than a better life for themselves and their children.

Thank you, Marylyn Schmidt, for remaining steadfast in your belief that health care should be a fundamental human right in this country. The people of Michigan and all of those you helped and fought for will always remember your kindness, your courage, and dedication to this just cause.