[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WISHING BILLIE ``THE GODMOTHER'' CARR GREETINGS ON THE OCCASION OF HER 
                             70TH BIRTHDAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and 
celebrate the 70th birthday of a great American, Texan, and Democrat: 
Ms. Billie Carr. Please permit me to tell you a little bit about her. 
Her life is instructive.
  Billie Carr is a native Houstonian. She attended the University of 
Houston and South Texas College. In 1954 she ran and was elected 
precinct chair in her home precinct. She still serves as precinct chair 
on the Harris County Democratic Party Committee.
  Billie served on the state Democratic Executive Committee from 1964-
1966. In 1972 she was elected to serve on the Democratic National 
Committee (DNC) and was elected in 1992 for her fifth term. She served 
on the National Resolutions Committee from 1984-1988, the National 
Platform Committee 1983-1984, and the National Fairness Commission from 
1984-1986. She was elected in August this year to serve on the DNC's 
National Rules Committee.
  What's more, ``the Godmother,'' as we call her, was elected by the 
Southern region to represent it on the Executive Committee of the DNC 
in 1988 and still serves to this day. Clearly, Billie Carr has almost 
no rival in her commitment to political activism.
  Further, Carr has been the recipient of many fine awards. She 
received the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Award in 1986. In 1987, she 
sort of received her own award, if you will--the Harris County 
Democrats Billie Carr Lifetime Achievement Award. Carr received awards 
from the Texas Democratic Women in 1987 and a Star Award from the 
National Federation of Democratic Women. And, in 1994 the Texas Young 
Democrats gave her their Democrat of the Year Award.
  In 1992 the Democratic Party had the 40th anniversary party for her 
40 years of political activity. Every statewide official attended as 
well as then Presidential candidate Bill Clinton, who came for the 
convention, and spoke of his warm lifetime friendship with Billie.
  Lastly, she is President of Billie Carr Associates and is the proud 
grandmother of two beautiful children.
  In sum, Billie Carr's career began early and has lasted a virtual 
lifetime. From the start of her political involvement with Ralph 
Yarborough and Adlai Stevenson to the founding of Billie Carr 
Associates, she has displayed an amazing dedication to Democratic 
politics and public service. The awards and achievements you have 
earned in your life are truly breathtaking. Your record of 
accomplishments are an inspiration to us all. You certainly deserve to 
be called the Godmother of liberal democratic politics. Perhaps most 
significant, Mr. Speaker, she refused to take part in the despicable 
act and mindset of racial segregation when many chose to be passive or 
look the other way.
  On behalf of the residents of the 18th Congressional District of 
Texas, I would like to offer you my heartfelt thanks for your continued 
efforts to serve our Houston community. Happy Birthday! Billie Carr.

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