[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 436 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 436

  Mourning the loss of Bea Arthur, celebrating her life and work, and 
honoring her many contributions to equality and social justice for all 
                               Americans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 13, 2009

  Mr. Polis of Colorado submitted the following resolution; which was 
      referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Mourning the loss of Bea Arthur, celebrating her life and work, and 
honoring her many contributions to equality and social justice for all 
                               Americans.

Whereas Beatrice ``Bea'' Arthur was born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922, in New 
        York, New York;
Whereas Bea Arthur studied at the Dramatic Workshop at the New School in New 
        York through 1947;
Whereas Bea Arthur began her professional career off Broadway in 1948 and worked 
        consistently for seven decades on the stage and screen;
Whereas Bea Arthur has played numerous beloved roles on the Broadway stage 
        including Yente in ``Fiddler on the Roof'' and Vera Charles in ``Mame'', 
        the latter of which earned her the 1966 Tony Award for Best Featured 
        Actress;
Whereas Bea Arthur portrayed Maude Findlay, an outspoken feminist, in the 
        television comedy ``Maude'' from 1972 until 1978, earning an Emmy Award 
        for Best Actress in 1977;
Whereas Bea Arthur portrayed Dorothy Zbornak, a teacher and activist, in the 
        television comedy ``The Golden Girls'' from 1985 until 1992, earning an 
        Emmy Award for Best Actress in 1988;
Whereas the professional accomplishments of Bea Arthur are many and she received 
        great acclaim for her talent throughout her career including dozens of 
        awards and nominations;
Whereas Bea Arthur used her fame to advocate for social justice for all 
        Americans, especially women, gays and lesbians, and people suffering 
        from HIV and AIDS;
Whereas Bea Arthur confronted issues in her roles that challenged taboos, 
        including a woman's right to choose, spousal abuse, alcoholism, 
        depression, and the consequences of the Vietnam War;
Whereas Bea Arthur was especially supportive of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and 
        transgendered communities both personally and professionally;
Whereas decades before the GLBT rights movement made significant progress, Bea 
        Arthur supported recognition and equality for gays and lesbians;
Whereas Bea Arthur declared in 2001, ``Gays are not stereotypes; they are 
        people!'';
Whereas, on April 25, 2009, Bea Arthur died peacefully in her sleep at her home 
        in California after a long battle with cancer; and
Whereas her life was dedicated to entertaining Americans and bringing to light 
        issues that affect us all: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives mourns the loss of Bea 
Arthur, celebrates her life and work, and honors her many contributions 
to equality and social justice for all Americans.
                                 <all>