The widow of Rep. Robert Matsui, D-Calif., was sworn in as the newest member of the House of Representatives on March 10, two days after winning a special election to fill her late husband's seat.

Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., was seated a little more than two months after her husband died of a bone marrow disease.

Robert Matsui was one of the Democrats' experts on Social Security and he helped to lead the opposition to proposals that would force state and local employees to participate in Social Security from his position as ranking member of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee. In recognition of his efforts, Matsui was honored by the Coalition to Preserve Retirement Security with the Soaring Eagle Award in 2001.