[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  MOURNING THE PASSING OF BELLA ABZUG

  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge sadly the passing of 
Bella Abzug, a former Member of this House of Representatives. Bella 
Abzug was a fearless defender of the rights of the people. She was 
always there arguing on behalf of the downtrodden, arguing on behalf of 
civil rights, staking out a claim for the rights of women, fearless 
defender of the rights of women, someone who was admired across this 
country for her independence, for her courage, for her willingness to 
stand up and speak out for what she believed in.
  Bella Abzug was a legendary figure not only in the politics of New 
York State but in the Government of the United States. She became a 
symbol of someone who would fearlessly represent the interests of her 
constituency, someone who had the ability through her personality to 
summon masses of people to the standards of truth and justice in this 
country.
  Bella Abzug is going to be missed in this country, and she will be 
missed by millions of Americans who have appreciated her dedication, 
her love of our Nation and her understanding that America can always be 
better, that it has a higher truth to resonate to, that it should be an 
all-inclusive Nation, a Nation where the rights of women are upheld as 
well as everyone, a Nation where the rights of the poor are upheld as 
well as everyone, a Nation where all of us have a chance to make this a 
better place.
  I will miss Bella Abzug. She was a personal friend. She was someone 
with whom I had the opportunity to share many moments, and I could tell 
my colleagues I have learned from her and I consider her a treasure for 
this country, and on behalf of the people of the 10th District of the 
State of Ohio I want to say, ``Farewell, Bella. Thank you for serving 
this Nation.''

                          ____________________