[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 48 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E673-E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE BELLA ABZUG

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the tribute to the 
Honorable Bella Abzug, a woman who has given the Congress--and people 
throughout the world--a legacy of which to be proud.
  Bella's legacy is one of caring and concern, dedication and 
determination, and audacity--in the best sense of the word--and 
accomplishment. At the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing, 
Bella said that she ``always believed that women will change the nature 
of power rather than power changing the nature of women.''
  Bella cared about what happened nationwide and worldwide to those 
often considered the ``underclass.'' She was especially concerned about 
ensuring the rights of women, minorities, and people in need. She 
dedicated her lifetime determined to help improve lives and help 
empower people with little power.
  She had the audacity early in her career as a lawyer to don a hat so 
that she would be viewed as a woman working in a profession and not in 
the stereotypic role for women--as staff support.
  She had the audacity to want to be the first Jewish woman elected to 
Congress, the audacity to want to be the first person elected to 
Congress on a women's rights and peace platform, and the audacity to 
``tell it like it is.''
  She had the determination to make things happen, and she accomplished 
a lot--such as: the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, 
founding the National Women's Political Caucus to help other women 
become legislators, coming very close to passing the Equal Rights 
Amendment. As a pioneer in the women's rights movement, she fostered 
generations of female leaders.
  It is in large part because of Bella's caring, concern, dedication, 
determination, and audacity that my sisters and I became the ``Class of 
1992 in the `Year of the Woman' '' here in the Congress.
  She championed important issues and left a legacy for a better life. 
Legacies are important because of what they inspire other people to 
accomplish. However, these people must first hear about these legacies.
  To my astonishment and dismay, I spoke recently with several younger 
women who are not familiar with the name ``Bella Abzug'' as well as the 
names of other important human rights advocates. Although these young 
people have reaped the benefits of their accomplishments.

[[Page E674]]

  We must inform the generations who come after us and help them 
recognize, appreciate, and remember the people and the work that paved 
their way. This is how we can preserve our history and pass on the 
important and wonderful legacies left by such special people as Bella 
Abzug.

                          ____________________