[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

                                 ______


                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, in honor of this year's theme of African-
American women, I wish to recognize the passing of former Congresswomen 
Barbara Jordan, one of Texas' greatest political figures. She died at 
the age of 59 from pneumonia, one of the many illnesses which she 
suffered from in the last years of her life. But the life that she led 
was extraordinary, and she left a mark that few will ever match, and 
that none will ever forget.
  Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Jordan distinguished herself from an early 
age. With her family's encouragement she worked hard to rise above the 
poverty of her childhood in Houston. She graduated magna cum laude from 
Texas Southern University. It was there that she first displayed her 
powerful oratorical skills as a member of the debate team. In 1959 she 
received her law degree from Boston University.
  Mr. Speaker, Barbara Jordan made history by setting a number of 
firsts. She was the first black State Senator in Texas history, elected 
in 1966. In 1972 she was accorded the high honor of being elected 
president pro tempore of the Texas Senate, another first for an 
African-American. Eight years later she recorded another first, 
becoming the first black from Texas to be elected to Congress. Although 
she only served for 6 years in the House of Representatives, her impact 
was monumental.
  It was as a freshman Congresswoman, Mr. Speaker, that the Nation 
first came to know Barbara Jordan. As a member of the House Judiciary 
Committee she made one of the defining speeches of the Richard Nixon 
impeachment hearings. Rising above the political rhetoric, she told the 
world, ``My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is 
total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the 
diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution.'' 
Indeed, her statements reminded America of what was truly great about 
this country.
  On a more personal note, Mr. Speaker, Barbara Jordan served as one of 
my earliest political role models. I had a chance to see Congresswoman 
Jordan speak at the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Like everyone 
else that heard her speech I was moved not only by her eloquence, but 
by her definition of public service. ``More is required of public 
officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases,'' she said. 
``We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the 
people with a vision of the future.'' These words continue to guide and 
inspire me 20 years later.
  I wish in the coming days that all Texans would join me in reflecting 
upon the legacy of Barbara Jordan. She stood for honesty, integrity, 
and an unswerving commitment to the principles on which this country 
was founded. Her legacy will endure as we continue to honor these 
ideals.

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