[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H2232-H2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BELLA ABZUG, A WOMAN AHEAD OF HER TIME

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) is recognized for 60 minutes.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent most of the 
district once represented by the late Bella Abzug in Congress, and as 
such I come forward today together with my friend from the District of 
Columbia and with the Congressional Women's Caucus to say a few words 
about a departed legend. I would like to thank Congressman Owens of New 
York for so kindly giving us this special order time which he had 
reserved.

                              {time}  2030

  Not only was she driven to do the right thing, but she demanded the 
same of everyone she came in contact with.
  She was not expected to win her 1970 campaign for the House. I 
remember when she ran the first time, I campaigned for her. I just 
graduated from college; we had run against the same incumbent every 2 
years since 1962, and we lost in 1962, and we lost in 1964. We lost in 
1966; we lost in 1968; and no one expected any different in 1970.
  But Bella changed the mode. Bella didn't just try to get out her vote 
and up the percentage a few percentage points and hope that more of our 
vote would come out than theirs. Bella went into the opposition 
stronghold and cracked it, and made them vote for her and changed the 
whole tone and the whole model of politics in lower Manhattan.
  I remember the astonishment when she won that June day in 1970. She 
changed the mode and the model of how New York politics was looked at.
  Then she got here, and, of course, she made an immediate impression. 
It is hard to realize, she was such an inspiration to an entire 
generation. She made such an impression that we still remember today 
that it is hard to realize she served in this House for only three 
terms, for only 6 years.
  But in that time, what a difference she made, what a difference she 
made for the emerging feminist movement, what a difference she made for 
the rights of women, for civil rights, for civil liberties, for social 
justice, for the struggle for economic justice. What a boost she gave 
to the opposition to an unjust war in Vietnam, and what a difference 
she made in so many different subjects.
  People remember her as a great speaker, and a great leader, and a 
great expositor, and a great example. But sometimes I think they do not 
remember that she was also a great legislative crafts person.
  She, for example, crafted the interstate transfer amendment under 
which 32 States gained billions and billions and billions of dollars 
for mass transit systems from highways whose construction they had 
changed their minds about. And she enabled them to trade in unwanted 
highways on the map for new mass transit systems, or for improved mass 
transit systems.
  In my own city of New York, we got $1.7 billion for the mass transit 
system by trading in the West Way Highway, about which city and State 
government changed their minds.
  So she was a great legislative crafts person, and she was a great 
leader on a host of issues. And she never, never thought that enough 
was enough.
  I remember whenever I would talk to her, she would say to me, are you 
doing enough? Are you doing enough? Whatever it was I was doing, are 
you doing enough?
  And then occasionally, almost begrudgingly, very occasionally, she 
would say, well, you are doing okay. And I would leave our conversation 
feeling as if I had received the greatest compliment one could ever 
receive.
  That is one of my memories of Bella, and I am sure many Members of 
Congress have others they would like to share. That is why we are 
holding this special order so that those of us who still remain at this 
late hour can come forward and give former Representative Bella Abzug 
the tribute which is surely her due.
  Let me add one other thing. She made as great a contribution to the 
people of this country, to the people of this world, after she left the 
House, and unfortunately she was not elected to the Senate, but after 
she left the House, as she did before. As the Representative of the 
United States to the United Nations, to various conferences, to women's 
conferences, abroad, she made a great contribution, and it will be long 
remembered.
  Finally, regarding my colleague, I can only conclude with this: When 
Bella Abzug left this House, this chamber became a poorer place. 
Likewise, with her passing, the world became a poorer place, though all 
of us are immensely richer for her presence on this planet.
  Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Maloney).
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), for yielding, and I thank the 
gentleman for organizing this special order for Bella Abzug.
  Perhaps it was fitting that we lost one of the world's greatest 
women's rights leaders at the end of March. March was Women's History 
Month. It was a time when we recalled the great contributions made by 
women for women, and Bella, my friend and my mentor, was a great 
contributor.
  I would like to say that Bella Abzug will not only be remembered for 
her flamboyant, colorful hats, but for what was under them; her 
wonderful mind and the voice with which she spoke it and her inspired 
heart.
  I am deeply indebted to Bella, and I know many women feel the same 
way. But I also know that there are many young women who may just take 
Bella's work and the work of other women before them for granted. I 
invite them to get to know Bella's memory, because without it we could 
lose ground. If we begin to take her hard-fought victories for granted, 
we will lose sight of the work that lies ahead.
  There is not an American woman alive today who does not command more 
respect or enjoy more opportunity as a result of Bella's work. Because 
of Bella Abzug, women today stand a little taller, walk a little 
prouder, and accept nothing less than what they deserve.
  Bella broke through barriers; she shattered glass ceilings, she 
rattled cages, and she set women free. Even in her last years when she 
was confined to a wheelchair, no woman stood taller in the fight for 
women's rights, for women's equality, than Bella Abzug.
  Bella was a pioneer on so many levels. She was a legislator, a peace 
activist, a labor lawyer, a lecturer, a news commentator, a civil 
liberties advocate, and the first woman to be elected to Congress, not 
under the banner of a particular party, but on a banner based on 
women's rights and a peace platform.
  She cofounded the National Women's Political Caucus, which celebrates 
this year its 21st anniversary. She coauthored the Freedom of 
Information and Privacy Acts. She cast one of the first votes for the 
Equal Rights Amendment, which still has not been enacted into law in 
this country. She presided over the Women's Congress for a Healthy 
Planet. She organized the first National Women's Conference in Houston, 
Texas, and organized this past year the 20th anniversary of remembrance 
of the accomplishments of that conference. She authored Women's 
Equality Day, and she cofounded the Women's Environment and Development 
Organization.
  She had an impressive resume. However, the whole of Bella's life was 
much more than the sum of its parts. She is now a historical figure, a 
cultural icon. She changed how people thought, how they looked at the 
world, and how they lived their lives.
  Bella was a firebrand orator. One of my favorite Bellarisms goes like 
this: ``Women will change the nature of power, rather than power 
changing the nature of women.''
  She proclaimed just last year, ``We are building a women's movement, 
and we have been making it larger and

[[Page H2233]]

larger. It is worldwide. It is where it has never been before.''
  She was building a worldwide network because she could. She was a 
consummate organizer. She was always pushing the envelope, always 
trying to do more, and challenging others to do more. I suspect by now 
Bella has already demanded a meeting with God and has begun to try to 
reorganize heaven. If she were with us here today, she would tell us 
not to mourn, but to organize and to mobilize, and she would be right. 
We can never forget Bella Abzug or her works or her funny charm, but 
our best vehicle for remembering her will be to carry on her work.
  Her sense of outrage must become ours. Her commitment to reaching out 
to our Nation's younger women must become ours. Her courage, her 
vision, her wit and her boundless energy must become ours. After all, 
these are the things she left us. We must take them as gifts and use 
them to advance the cause of women in America around the world.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, we had a number of other speakers, about 
eight or nine other speakers, who, because of the lateness of the hour 
and the arrival of other events of the evening, who had planned to.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, as one of many friends and longtime admirers of 
Bella Abzug, I rise today to pay tribute and express my heartfelt 
admiration and respect for this exceptional woman. Bella Abzug was 
truly loved by many in the world who were positively impacted by her 
groundbreaking work on a myriad of crucial progressive issues.
  The first time I met Bella I was working for my predecessor, the 
Honorable Congressman Ronald V. Dellums. Bella and Ron worked closely 
on a number of progressive causes, remaining at the forefront of peace, 
social, and economic justice issues, as well as efforts to normalize 
relations with Cuba.
  Bella was a true pioneer. She had a brilliant mind, and her tireless 
efforts over the decades to build diverse coalitions and protect the 
civil rights of women, the poor, and people of color throughout the 
world will long be remembered and respected. Her most recent efforts 
through the Women's Environment and Development Organization, which she 
co-founded, have permanently changed the impact that all non-
governmental organizations have on policy making. Her influence was 
truly global.
  A great strategist for the advancement of feminist issues, Bella's 
unyielding dedication to gaining access to political power for women 
was also remarkable. Personally, I was a fortunate recipient of her 
encouragement, guidance, and a political knowledge from the time I 
began my public service. The last time I spoke with Bella was at a 
fundraiser for my California State Senate Race. Her involvement at this 
event is an example of her continual energy and support, for which I 
will be forever grateful. For me, Bella has been a truly inspiring 
mentor and role model.
  I am proud to join my colleagues I paying tribute to and expressing 
my admiration for this superwoman. I am honored to have been able to 
call Bella a friend. It is my hope, that as I travel this new road, I 
will in some small way be able to keep her spirit and tenacity alive by 
continuing the ongoing struggle to remove barriers which prevent women 
and people of color from participating fully in society.
  Bella, I know you are watching and listening. We all love you, and we 
truly miss you.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to 
honor the memory of former Congresswoman Bella Abzug, who made such 
significant contributions to this House and to America's least 
represented people. Bella dedicated her life to public service, 
fighting particularly hard for the rights of women and minorities, even 
before such fights were popular or politically wise. Her death, just 
weeks ago on March 31, 1998, at the age of 77, is mourned by friends, 
former colleagues in this body, and those of us who simply admired her 
work.
  Bella Abzug, the daughter of immigrant parents, made a habit of 
breaking through barriers and accomplishing the unlikely. Bella earned 
a law degree from Columbia University in 1947, which at that time was 
an accomplishment in and of itself for a woman. Bella used her law 
degree to fight for those who needed her assistance most: union 
workers, civil rights litigants, and minority criminal defendants in 
the South. Much of her work was done pro bono, or for a minimal fee.
  Bella Abzug is perhaps best known for her contributions to the civil 
rights movement. During the 1950s, she counseled tenants and minority 
groups and helped to draft legislation that was incorporated into the 
Civil Rights Act of 1954 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  Bella's efforts to ensure peace and end the war in Vietnam are also 
well known. Columnist Jimmy Breslin once remarked about the peace 
movement that ``Some came early, others came late. Bella has been there 
forever.'' After the withdrawal of American troops from Indochina, 
Bella turned her attention towards banning nuclear testing and 
encouraging disarmament, mostly through the organization she founded, 
Women Strike for Peace.
  Fortunately for the residents of New York City, Bella Abzug decide to 
take her passion and enthusiasm to a public office. Running with the 
slogan ``This woman belongs in the House''--the House of 
Representatives--in 1970, Bella was easily elected to this body for two 
terms as the Representative from New York's Nineteenth Congressional 
District. She served as chair of the House Subcommittee on Government 
Information and Individual Rights, conducting inquiries into covert and 
illegal activities by agencies of the federal government, and helping 
to produce the ``Government in the Sunshine'' law which gave the public 
great access to government records. While here in Congress, Bella often 
amazed and aggravated friends and opponents alike with her brash 
speaking style and passionate devotion to issues.
  After leaving Congress, Bella continued to serve her government in 
appointed positions, and assisted with the creation and expansion of 
organizations that encourage women to achieve equality through 
economic, social, and political empowerment. In 1994, she was inducted 
into the National Women's Hall of fame in Seneca Falls, New York, where 
the first women's rights conference was held in 1848. The Congressional 
Caucus for Women's Issues has requested that the Speaker send a 
Congressional delegation to the 150th anniversary celebration of that 
conference later this year. Certainly, if such a delegation is sent, 
Bella Abzug's presence will be felt and recognized.
  Bella was a key organizer of the Fourth World Conference on Women, 
held in Beijing just three years ago. During that conference, the 
international audience presented her with numerous awards and accolades 
that recognized her longstanding devotion to the needs and rights of 
women, particularly minority women.
  Bella Abzug's dedication to the needs of women and minorities, and 
her willingness to fight those who were not similarly devoted, should 
stand as a model of effective nonconformity in this age when compliance 
and compromise reign supreme. I, along with other women and minorities 
in this body and in America in general, thank Bella for her time and 
effort, and assure her that her work, and the work of so many others 
like her, will continue.
  While I certainly appreciate the opportunity to appear here today and 
speak warmly of Bella, we must do more. The most fitting tribute we can 
bestow upon Bella Abzug is to prove her prophetic: in 1996, she said 
that in the 21st century, ``Women will change the nature of power, 
rather than power changing the nature of women.'' Let us all, here in 
this House and beyond, ensure that this is the case--not only for the 
good of this nation and its peoples, but in memory of women like Bella 
who paved the way.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a 
truly remarkable woman. In fact, across America, if not the world, 
women mourn the passing of Bella Abzug. It goes without saying that she 
was a pioneer. She was certainly more than just the first Jewish woman 
elected to Congress. She was at the forefront of a movement that said 
that women were capable of anything.
  To put the achievements of this great woman in perspective, she was 
born in the year that women gained the right to vote. She earned her 
law degree from Columbia University in 1944, one of seven women to 
graduate in a class of a hundred twenty. In 1970, Bella Abzug was one 
of three new women Members of Congress, bringing the total number of 
women serving this institution to twelve. Yesterday, two more women 
became Members of the House of Representatives, bringing the total to 
fifty-five.
  Of course, Bella Abzug did not come to Congress to rest on her 
laurels. Bella came to this town to make a difference, and it's safe to 
say that Washington has never been the same. Bella did not understand 
that in 1971 women Members of Congress were supposed to take a back 
seat to their male counterparts. She did not understand that there were 
two

[[Page H2234]]

sets of rules--and she cheerfully, boldly, bravely violated those rules 
if that's what it took to bring about change. On her first day as a 
Member of Congress, she introduced a resolution to end the war in 
Vietnam. Never mind that this sort of bold act was just not done in 
those days--she did it because it was the right thing to do.
  She was candid, visionary, and her presence in this chamber made it 
possible for an entire generation of women to achieve success in a 
world from which they had been largely excluded. Bella once said, 
quote, ``Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. 
Those days are over, unquote.'' Yes, thanks to Bella Abzug, those days 
are over.
  And so, I join my colleagues, men and women, in expressing my deep 
sadness at the passing of this extraordinary woman. Bella Abzug will be 
terribly, terribly missed.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of my 
former colleague, Bella Abzug, the ``Queen of New York.''
  Throughout her illustrious career in public service, she was a 
zealous advocate for all. This New York Democrat was truly a woman who 
dared to be different. As a Member of Congress, labor lawyer, civil-
liberties advocate, and peace activist, Bella used her special talents 
to give ``voice'' to many causes.
  From her first day on the floor of the House of Representatives when 
she protested the Vietnam war to her recent efforts to promote a ``safe 
and sustainable'' global environment, she gained the respect of the 
world. I am truly honored to have known the regal Bella Abzug.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of my dear 
colleague, Bella Abzug. Her indelible mark on this nation will be 
remembered for a lifetime.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as we mourn the death of our former 
colleague, Bella Abzug, I would like to pause to reflect and celebrate 
the life of an extraordinarily gifted human being.
  I have fond memories of Bella Abzug and admire so many of the 
principles which guided her as she struggled to make the world a more 
humane place. I think about the unpopular causes she championed during 
the 1950's for civil rights. A specialist in labor law, she worked 
``gratis'' for union groups, workers in the fur industry, restaurant 
workers, auto workers, and the first rank-and-file longshoremen 
strikers.
  A large portion of her work outside of the labor field was done ``pro 
bono,'' or for a minimal fee, for civil rights and civil liberties 
litigants. She was the chief counsel in the two-year appeal of Willie 
McGee, an African American man convicted of raping a white woman and 
sentenced to death. The case drew worldwide attention, and some 
Southern newspaper editorials attacked McGee's ``white lady lawyer'' in 
language meant to incite racism and hatred between groups.
  Bella argued passionately, and challenged the injustice of excluding 
Blacks from juries and applying the death sentence for rape virtually 
exclusively to Blacks. Although her arguments fell on deaf ears and 
McGree was executed in Mississippi in 1951, the case was an example of 
Bella's compassion and lifelong commitment to the underdog. She helped 
to draft legislation that was incorporated into the Civil Rights Act of 
1954 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. An advocate of free speech 
during the 1960's she was a leader in the movement for women's rights, 
an opponent of the Vietnam War, and a supporter of environmental 
issues.
  When we entered the Congress together in January of 1971, Bella was 
certainly no wallflower freshman. If her feisty, raspy-throated 
speeches didn't attract attention, her trademark hats certainly did. 
They were a throwback, she said, to her early days as one of the New 
York City's few female lawyers.
  Bella came in demanding appointment to the House Armed Services 
Committee--a choice assignment seldom awarded to a freshman 
Representative. The last woman to serve on the committee had been 
Margaret Chase Smith, an outspoken critic of the military, in 1949. 
Although Bella failed at her attempt to secure a seat on the Armed 
Services Committee, she served effectively on the Government Operations 
and the Public Works Committees. Time and time again, she proved that 
regardless of the capacity in which she served, her presence would be 
felt, her voice always heard. Bella could not be silenced or contained 
against her will.
  One of 15 women serving in the House of Representatives in 1971, and 
the first woman of Jewish descent to serve in Congress, Bella relished 
her reputation as a ``brash and brassy'' New Yorker. In 1998, we now 
have 55 women in the House of Representatives. Although Bella might say 
that we can do better, I think she was pleased and proud of the 
progress that was made during her lifetime.
  Bella Abzug was truly a visionary, passionate, committed trailblazer, 
and a compassionate leader. She was also my friend. May she rest in 
peace.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
special tribute to one of our great leaders, Congresswoman Bella Abzug. 
I was deeply saddened to hear of Ms. Abzug's passing last month and 
would like to take this opportunity to recognize her many 
accomplishments.
  Over the years, Congresswoman Abzug worked diligently to improve the 
status of women. Not content to work only on the behalf of the State of 
New York, she concentrated on issues such as the environment, civil 
rights, gay rights, education, affordable healthcare and many other 
issues of national concern.
  This highly visible Congresswoman served as a member of the Committee 
on Public Works and Transportation and chaired the Subcommittee on 
Government Information and Individual Rights. She helped create the 
``Government in the Sunshine Law'' which allows the public to have 
greater access to government records. In addition, during her service 
in Congress, she was able to help pass several laws that target and 
prevent sex discrimination. Without a doubt, the country is a much 
better place for women and men alike because of her leadership in 
Congress over the years.
  Outside of her congressional career, Ms. Abzug led the way in 
improving the status of women. In 1971, Abzug co-founded the National 
Women's Political Caucus. As a firm believer in economic, social and 
political equality for women, she was appointed co-chair of the 
National Advisory Committee for Women. In 1995, she helped organize the 
Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing; during that 
conference she received many awards and accolades. As a crusader in the 
civil rights movement, Ms. Abzug expressed her opposition to the 
exclusion of African-Americans from juries and their receipt of harsher 
criminal sentences. During the 1950's, she helped draft legislation 
that was incorporated into the Civil Rights Act of 1954 and the Voting 
Rights Act of 1965.
  Yesterday, in welcoming Barbara Lee and Mary Bono as new Members of 
the House, many speakers noted the unprecedented number of women now 
serving in Congress. All of the women Members of Congress owe a large 
debt of gratitude to Bella Abzug, the woman who trail blazed the path 
for us.
  Bella Abzug followed her heart and was always a crusader for just 
causes. We have lost a valuable colleague and role model and I will 
always remember her as one of the most influential women of the world. 
I am confident that her wisdom and spirit will be continued and 
remembered by all.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend and 
colleague from New York, Mr. Nadler, for organizing this evening's 
special order in honor of Bella Abzug.
  Mr. Speaker, with the recent passing of Congresswoman Abzug, this 
House, and indeed the Nation, has lost one more personal link to our 
Nation's history.
  Bella is probably best known to the average citizen for her role as a 
Congresswoman during the rather tumultuous period of the 1970's. But, 
as the Speaker and many of Colleagues know full well, Bella was much, 
much more than simply that ex-Congresswoman from New York City who wore 
outlandish hats.
  Bella's long and distinguished career of public service spanned many 
decades and a multitude of activities. In many respects, she was busier 
and had a greater impact on her community, the Nation, and, indeed the 
world, after leaving the House of Representatives. Her undying, total 
dedication to the causes she believed in will live on for many years to 
come.
  Bella Abzug was an attorney, author, lecturer, environmentalist, news 
commentator, and, perhaps most of all, a lifelong activist. Of course, 
no matter what ``hat'' she was wearing, Bella was always a strong and 
vocal defender of women and women's rights throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker, it is no secret, and should not come as a shock or 
surprise to anyone who follows politics, that Bella Abzug and I were 
not close compatriots fighting in the trenches together. We came from 
different wings of the Democratic Party. Quite frankly, we were not 
often in agreement on many a matter or how best to address an issue.
  Perhaps this difference, this diversity of opinions and methods, was 
an example of what makes the Democratic party so strong.
  But, having said this, I was never prouder or more honored than to 
have been on Bella's side in opposition to the War in Vietnam.
  Instinctively, the Liberal--and, this is not a pejorative term--
Congresswoman from Manhattan and this moderate local politician 
understood the toll this war was taking on our Nation and our ``best 
and brightest.'' As a Congressman who's Woodside, New York, 
neighborhood lost the most servicemen in this war, I know full well 
that the position Bella and I took was the right and just one.
  Mr. Speaker, regardless of your Party or political leaning, this 
House would do well to remember the dedication, hard work, caring, and

[[Page H2235]]

conviction of Congresswoman Bella Abzug. Not only did she strive to 
make the world a better place for all its people, she also succeeded.

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