• Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tells a funny memory of how after New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter broke her leg, she told Clinton she had a new slogan, "vote for Louise, she has a leg up," during the funeral service for Slaughter at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in Rochester, N.Y., Friday, March 23, 2018. (Tina MacIntyre-Yee /Democrat & Chronicle via AP) Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee / Democrat and Chronicle
Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tells a funny memory of how after New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter broke her leg, she told Clinton she had a new slogan, "vote for Louise, she has a leg up," during the funeral service for Slaughter at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in Rochester, N.Y., Friday, March 23, 2018. (Tina MacIntyre-Yee /Democrat & Chronicle via AP) less
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tells a funny memory of how after New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter broke her leg, she told Clinton she had a new slogan, "vote for Louise, she has a leg ... more
Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee
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FILE - MARCH 16, 2018: It was reported that Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter, the oldest serving member of Congress, has died at the age of 88 after sustaining an injury in her Washington, DC home last week. WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 26: U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) listens during a news conference October 26, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus held a news conference "calling on President Trump to reverse his recent moves to limit women's access to birth control." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) less
FILE - MARCH 16, 2018: It was reported that Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter, the oldest serving member of Congress, has died at the age of 88 after sustaining an injury in her Washington, DC home last week. ... more
Photo: Alex Wong
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U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter could fiercely debate legislative opponents on the House floor, then sing harmony with them for charity, use her scientist's mind to argue for human rights and sweeten a discussion with homemade rhubarb pie, Washington colleagues recalled Friday at her funeral.

"Even her opponents couldn't help liking her and respecting her," Hillary Clinton said inside a Rochester auditorium filled with family, constituents from her western New York district and two planeloads of congressional colleagues and staff.

Slaughter, a Kentucky coal miner's daughter who never lost her lilting Southern accent, died March 16 following a fall in her Washington home. She was 88 and had represented her district for 31 years.

Clinton said Slaughter, a fellow Democrat, took her under her wing when the former first lady was elected to represent New York in the Senate in 2000. Slaughter had done the same for many other women in Washington, said Clinton, who attended with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. She said Slaughter found inspiration in the region's history as a cradle of women's rights.

"Louise never forgot she stood on the shoulders of brave trailblazers and history makers. She picked up their torch. She carried it proudly throughout her career," Hillary Clinton said.