Pelosi Remarks at Funeral of Former Ohio State Representative Otto Beatty, Jr.

Columbus – Speaker Pelosi delivered remarks at the funeral of former Ohio State Representative Otto Beatty, Jr. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Good afternoon. It is my great honor to bring the condolences of the Congress of the United States to our colleague, Joyce Beatty, and the entire family. We do so with the greatest respect for our dear friend, Otto – our dear friend, Otto. A leader of courage and consequence, from Ohio and across the nation. And I have stories to tell about across the world, but I'm not sure about the limitation on time.

[Laughter]

Now, mind you, when the Speaker gets up to speak, there is no limit to it.

[Applause]

Bishop, I'm known to go over eight hours and break all speaking records.

[Laughter]

But have no fear. Have no fear.

The presence of distinguished Members of the House of Representatives is such a statement about the regard – we've heard wonderful things about Otto. We want you to know how respected he is in the Congress. Will the Members of Congress please rise, who are here?

[Applause]

Our Leader, Steny Hoyer, Mr. Clyburn. You'll hear from them.

[Applause]

Mr. Horsford, Brenda Lawrence, Sheila Jackson Lee, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark, Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters, the Chair of our Caucus, Hakeem Jefferies, the Chair, Sean Patrick Maloney, Robin Kelly, precious Lisa, Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware, soon to be married, Mr. Butterfield –

[Laughter]

Took time out from his wedding plans to come here today. Sandy Bishop, here with his wife as well. These masks are throwing me off.

[Laughter]

Mr. Green, Al Green – Green. Hat at – is that Alma Adams? Alma Adams, hat at Mass. Bobby Scott. Hank Johnson, here with his wife as well. Troy Carter, our newest Member from Louisiana. And we have, from Texas again – Sorry? Oh, yes, Marc Veasey from Texas. Who's that back there? Dwight Evans from Philadelphia.

These masks are really something, don't you all agree? That's why I shed mine just now. Thank you very much.

[Applause]

Joyce Beatty will attest to the fact that this is highly unusual on the day when there's no session of Congress, when usually Members just headed home, but they headed here. They headed here.

[Applause]

And we are honored to be here with representatives of the President of the United States: Madam Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, dear, dear friend of Otto and Joyce, Marcia Fudge.

[Applause]

And Senior Advisor to the President of the United States – means he works right next to him in the Oval Office, Cedric Richmond, our former colleague.

[Applause]

Again, even a pandemic could not keep all of these people from here. Those blessed to know Otto know that the pride he took in his political and civic work – they know – you all know that. We've heard about it. He was most proud though of those titles: father, grandfather and husband.

Thank you to Otto's family for the privilege of joining you here and to speak about his life. His son, Otto and wife, Christie, his daughter, Laurel, her husband, Richard, and the adorable children Leah, and Spencer, Joyce's siblings, Ralph, Patricia, Mary and of course, our adored Joyce, our adored Joyce. They were a team.

I saw on the ribbon on the flowers, hearts beating as one. That was what it was. The love that Joyce and Otto shared, of nearly three decades of marriage, was a joy for all of us to behold. In Otto's family, boasting an attorney, a state judge, a Member of Congress, we see his legacy of public service endures.

Indeed, the Beatty name is synonymous with service, a tradition forged at 41 Monroe Street, where Otto's parents championed Black owned businesses, founding the novelty food bar in St. Clair Hotel as havens for Black Americans during segregation and where his grandmother, Mayme, Mayme Moore, was a leader of civil rights issue, particularly for Black women. That leadership was honored nearly 60 years ago, when Mayme was chosen to stand beside Dr. Martin Luther King for his ‘I Have a Dream' speech on the Mall. Mayme was there. Mayme came back from the March full of hope and with a message for her grandson: always, always try to help others.

Otto dedicated his life to that mission, from his early work as a young lawyer, as I mentioned, a leader in the Legal Aid Society of nearly two decades, as a respected member of the State Legislature, his leadership on the Otto – not the Otto – the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, the Downtown Commission, many legal groups dedicated to justice and equality, including the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association, where he was the president.

Now, so many of those acknowledgments were referenced earlier on. And I just wanted to make sure you understood that in Congress, we have a full recognition of that. In every position, in every turn, Otto was a champion. Imagine him, think of him with his grandmother, Mayme. And now think of his grandchildren – the continuation of it all. Beautiful.

In every turn, Otto was a champion for economic and civic empowerment. And his work lifting up minority businesses and getting out the vote in Central Ohio were legendary. Indeed, Otto was the voice for the voiceless. He strove to defend the dignity and respect the rights of every American. His leadership made a difference, helping ensure that all Americans can pursue their American dream. That's why we flew not one flag over the Capitol in honor of his life the day that he passed, but three – but three. Because he was –

[Applause]

Because he was about liberty and justice for all, the pledges that we make every morning. That was Otto's pledge.

Now, the next several cards about traveling the world with Otto – I won't go into that, except to say that you know that he traveled with such dignity, right? And whether it was in Brussels to Beijing or the Dalai Lama – whatever it was, it was always a dignified, calm voice for us, representing our country with dignity. I'll save these for another day.

Otto will be forever missed. And his legacy, carried on by his family, by the hundreds he mentored, and by countless more he inspired, will be eternal and enduring.

Joyce, may [it] be a comfort to you, my darling. We love Joyce so much, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Otto was very proud of that. May it be comfort to Joyce and the entire Beatty family that so many mourn your loss and pray for you at this sad time. And may our darling Otto rest in peace.