[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE BELLA ABZUG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 1998

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, last night a number of my colleagues, led 
by Congressman Jerry Nadler and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, 
paid tribute to the late Bella Abzug. I want to lend my voice to theirs 
in honoring this remarkable woman.
  It is particularly fitting that we honor her this week, after we 
watched two new women members be sworn in. We now have 55 women serving 
in the House of Representatives--the largest number in history. Bella 
would be proud.
  Those gains were made possible by women like Bella Abzug, women who 
fought their way into what was still a ``man's world.'' Bella spent her 
career working to promote women's rights. After she left Congress she 
founded the National Women's Political Caucus, a vital organization 
with the goal of promoting women's participation in government. As we 
look around the chamber today we can see the tremendous progress we 
have made toward that goal.
  With her trademark hats and her bold style, Bella hit the ground 
running in Congress and never once stopped. As the daughter of 
immigrants and the first Jewish woman to serve in the House, Bella 
never forgot who she was or where she came from. She spent her lifetime 
looking out for those who were traditionally excluded from the 
Washington power structure--immigrants, minorities, and especially 
women. She fought to end U.S. involvement in Vietnam. She fought for 
women's rights, civil rights, worker protections. Bella served as a 
voice for those who had been shut out of the process for far too long.
  Before she came to the House in 1971, this body had never seen the 
likes of Bella Abzug. We all know that we never will again. Bella was a 
true pioneer.
  Every woman who walks these halls today, and every woman who will 
follow us in the future, owes a tremendous debt to Bella for all the 
barriers she broke. Bella, we thank you and we will never forget you.

                          ____________________