[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 11 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S393-S394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BARBARA JORDAN

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary and brilliant woman--former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. 
I was deeply saddened by Ms. Jordan's death. She was very special to 
me, and to this country. She enriched and moved this Nation unlike any 
other American.
  Barbara Jordan was in a class all by herself. I was fortunate enough 
to serve with her in U.S. House of Representatives. She taught me a lot 
about what it means to be a tough advocate for the American people.
  Nothing stopped Congresswoman Jordan from forging ahead--not race, 
not gender, and not her illness. She lived her life as a teacher never 
giving in to the victim mentality. Not Congresswoman Jordan. That was 
not her style.
  She had an immense impact on this Nation, and yet, Barbara Jordan 
served as a Congresswoman for only 6 years. But during that time, she 
used her rich, booming and elegant voice, to leave a powerful impact on 
this Nation. She believed, as I do, in letting your voice be heard.
  She spoke forcefully about important national issues, and she had 
commitment and conviction like none other. She had a special kind of 
commitment--the kind that's hard to find.
  She never wasted a breath on nonsense, but always spoke the truth so 
eloquently. She was a true pioneer for 

[[Page S394]]
what's right and for tackling what's wrong in America. She was the 
Nation's conscience during Watergate and helped restore America's faith 
in the Constitution.
  That is why students lined up for hours at the LBJ School of Public 
Affairs just to register for her class. Now, that was a line worth 
standing in.
  These students understood that it was a treat to be taught by this 
woman of many firsts. The first African-American, and first woman, 
elected to the Texas Senate. The first southern black elected to 
Congress since the Reconstruction, and the only woman in her law school 
class in Boston University.
  Barbara Jordan inspired us because she was a visionary who firmly 
believed in this Nation's potential. Our country is different today 
because of her and the strength, integrity and sensibility that she 
symbolized.
  Barbara Jordan was a great American. She was proud to be black, proud 
to be a woman, proud to be a Texan, and proud to be an American. I know 
she will live in our hearts and minds forever.

                          ____________________