[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF BETTY SHABAZZ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentlelady 
from the District of Columbia, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, 
for hosting this special order. We join Eleanor as she pauses to pay 
tribute to her special friend and one of this Nation's great leaders, 
the late Dr. Betty Shabazz. It is more than fitting that we acknowledge 
the passing of this distinguished and gifted individual.
  The passing of Dr. Betty Shabazz leaves us to mourn a mother, 
educator, and human rights leader. Betty was a young mother when she 
witnessed the brutal assassination of her husband, Malcolm X, in 1965. 
She moved from the shadows of her husband's life to become a leader in 
her own right. At a memorial service which was held in her honor, Dr. 
Betty Shabazz was remembered as an educator, college administrator, 
child advocate, civil rights leader, keeper of Malcolm X's legacy, and 
nurturing mother. These words describe an individual who rose above 
every challenge which confronted her. By doing so, she taught us a 
valuable lesson about courage, compassion and dignity.
  I also had the opportunity to know this great lady during her 
lifetime. She was intelligent, personable, and someone whom I deeply 
admired. My wife, Jay, and I both always enjoyed seeing and talking 
with her, usually at the annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual 
Weekend here in Washington, DC. Her devotion to her family and the 
legacy of Malcolm X was something we admired. We also admired the 
manner in which she persevered and acquired her education and became 
distinguished in her own right.
  Mr. Speaker, President Clinton praised Dr. Shabazz as an 
extraordinary woman whose life is an inspiration to all of us. We are 
saddened to lose the remarkable gift and vision of Dr. Shabazz. We also 
recognize the fact that Betty's family is in need of our prayers in the 
days ahead. I express my sympathy to her family, Eleanor, and many 
others who shared a close personal friendship with Dr. Betty Shabazz. 
While her death leaves a void, we know that Dr. Shabazz has left a 
legacy that will stand the test of time.

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