[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. BETTY SHABAZZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Betty Shabazz was a remarkable woman. Her 
intrepid spirit and tireless efforts on behalf of her family and people 
of color made her a role model around the world. People from many races 
and nations drew strength from the courage she showed in the face of 
adversity.
  I had the privilege of knowing Betty as a friend and colleague in the 
struggle for justice. Like many African-American mothers, she was a 
fighter and a survivor. After her husband's death, she found strength 
from within to overcome the tragedy and went on to raise six daughters 
while pursuing a professional career and serving the community. She set 
high goals for herself and worked diligently to achieve them.
  After Malcolm X's death, Betty went back to school and earned three 
degrees, including a doctorate in education. She went on to teach at 
Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY, and served as the school's 
director of communications and public relations. She also hosted a talk 
show on one of New York's major radio stations.
  As a civil rights leader, Betty often spoke out against race and 
gender discrimination and on issues of importance to families around 
the world. She was actively involved in various political and social 
action groups including the NAACP, the National Political Congress of 
Black Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Links.
  Like many African-Americans, Betty was part of an extended family. At 
the time of her death, she was helping to raise her grandson, Malcolm 
Shabazz. As she had helped his mother and aunts to do, Betty attempted 
to help young Malcolm to thrive despite his father's absence. 
Unfortunately, her time with him was cut short by her untimely death.
  Few of us have suffered the tragic loss that Betty Shabazz suffered 
when she lost her husband to an assassin's bullet. However, most of us 
know all too well the racism that killed him. The racial hatred that 
caused terror to the family that Betty and her daughters knew continues 
to destroy African-American families. It continues to deny blacks equal 
access to economic and employment opportunities, equal justice under 
the law, and equal representation in legislative bodies.
  Betty Shabazz lived an honorable and exemplary life. She fought 
against racism and injustice for most of her life. Even when she could 
have retreated from the rest of the world without blame, she continued 
to fight. She fought harder for herself, her family, and her community. 
Her life was a tribute to all families, but to African-American 
families in particular.

                          ____________________