IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 436 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

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.