[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE EDNA J. KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, last month marked the passing of an 
extraordinary woman, former member of Congress, Edna J. Kelly.
  Edna Kelly was the first woman elected to the Congress from Brooklyn, 
serving as a member of the House of Representatives from 1949 until 
1968. During a political career that reflected her drive and 
dedication, Edna Kelly worked tirelessly to strengthen U.S. foreign 
policy and improve the economic status of the American family.
  Strongly opposed to the spread of communism, Congresswoman Kelly 
served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and was recognized as an 
expert on the Soviet bloc. She headed fact-finding missions all over 
the world in order to better inform the Congress and America of the 
potential threat of international communism and the importance of NATO.
  Edna Kelly was also a great humanitarian. Her efforts included 
sponsoring the legislation that made the Peace Corps possible, and 
adding an amendment to the Mutual Security act that helped to resettle 
more than a million and a half eastern European and Russian people 
displaced by World War II.
  Edna Kelly was committed to raising the standard of living of 
American families. She advocated tax deductions for low-income single 
parents and helped to bring the economic problems of women into the 
national consensus. She introduced the bill that established the 
concept of ``equal pay for equal work.''
  Edna Kelly served as a role model to so many. Her legacy extends 
beyond her pioneering role as the first female elected to Congress from 
her district. Legislation she helped to pass is still of benefit to the 
American people today.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and 
friends of Edna Kelly and urge my colleagues to join in memorializing a 
great woman legislator.

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