[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H4309-H4310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. BETTY SHABAZZ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Davis] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Dr. Betty Shabazz, a woman of great courage, strength, and tenacity.
  On Monday, June 23, a great presence in the lives of countless 
citizens of the world left this Earth. She was not just an inspiration 
to the African-American community, or just an advocate of equality for 
women or primarily a proponent of children's rights. She was so much 
more than that. Dr. Betty Shabazz was an inspiration to the human 
community, she was an advocate of equality for all people, indeed she 
was a proponent of every ideal upon which this Nation was founded, but 
often had difficulty adhering to.
  Therein lies the inherent greatness of Dr. Shabazz. Despite the 
firebombing of her home in 1965 and the brutal murder of her husband, 
civil rights leader Malcolm X less than 3 weeks later, she refused to 
turn what must have been inconsolable anger into motivation for 
retribution against those who took the father of her children. Instead, 
Dr. Shabazz turned inward, furthering her education and strengthening 
her resolve as she embarked upon her mission to raise six children 
alone.
  Dr. Shabazz possessed hope even in the midst of hopelessness. She 
refused to quit, and epitomized the American spirit. And what Dr. 
Shabazz accomplished should encourage all of us to greater heights. She 
lived her life making a difference, and she died trying to make a 
difference.
  She received her undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees from 
the University of Massachusetts. She became a college professor and 
radio talk show host, all the while providing a stable and sheltered 
home for her six daughters. She was the model of motherhood, without 
calling attention to her actions. She turned tragedy into triumph. Dr. 
Shabazz led by example and exemplified what we all might be able to do 
if we were willing to make sacrifices, which she did.
  Soon after the death of her husband, and for many years thereafter, 
Dr. Shabazz was viewed by many as an extension of Malcolm X and his 
views.

[[Page H4310]]

 Someone who, like Coretta Scott King and Myrlie Evers, could be called 
upon to tender an opinion on what Malcolm's views on various issues of 
the day might be. But something happened along the way. Dr. Shabazz 
herself became the authority, and the questions initially directed 
toward the widow of Malcolm X became inquiries of Dr. Betty Shabazz. 
Only a woman of this intellectual and academic magnitude could 
overshadow the mystique of such a historical figure as Malcolm X.
  Mr. Speaker, a college bearing the name of Malcolm X is located in 
the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois. I came to know Dr. 
Shabazz very well during her many visits to Chicago. She was truly one 
of the most dynamic and engaging people that I have ever met. Her 
command of the issues affecting the many different people of the world 
was, in a word, extraordinary. Her passing at this time and in this way 
is terribly unfortunate. It speaks to the human condition in a way that 
only an event this tragic and unwarranted can. It begs for another 
figure like Dr. Shabazz to stand and say something to put right this 
egregious wrong. Yet she is still gone, and it seems that we are 
without recourse.
  When her husband was murdered, he was eulogized by Ossie Davis, the 
great African-American actor. Mr. Davis referred to Malcolm X as our 
shining black manhood. Mr. Speaker, I submit to you that Dr. Betty 
Shabazz, through her countless achievements, has transcended Mr. 
Davis's description of her husband. She belongs to all of us and stands 
as a tribute to what we all must strive to become. While she may have 
left this Earth on the 23d of June, her legacy lives on and will 
undoubtedly influence many more generations to come.
  I ask all of us to join today in paying tribute to Dr. Betty Shabazz. 
Having known her is an honor which words cannot convey, and her earthly 
presence will be sorely missed.

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