[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2038-E2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PATRICIA ROBERTS-HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Illinois' 
most prominent government officials and a dear constituent of Mattoon, 
Illinois, Mrs. Patricia Roberts-Harris. It is an honor to acknowledge 
one of the 19th congressional districts own as Mrs. Fran Phillips-
Calhoun and the Patricia Roberts-Harris Commemorative Campaign 
celebrate and organize their energy on a U.S. postal stamp and a 
biographical book on Pat Harris.
  As many of my colleagues may remember, Pat was a distinguished 
official in both the United States government and the arena of 
international diplomacy. But before she became the first black female 
U.S. cabinet member and the first black female ambassador, she was one 
of Illinois' favorite daughters. A native of Mattoon, she was proud of 
Illinois and wanted to do more for the United States and the African-
American community. Pat was the only daughter born to Bert Fitzgerald 
an Hildren Brodie Roberts of Mattoon. During her early childhood, Pat's 
family owned a farm and she attended the local elementary and middle 
school in Mattoon. By high school age, her family moved to Chicago, 
where she finished at Englewood High School. Pat later attended Howard 
University in 1942 and graduated within three years, summa cum laude. 
She wanted to return back to Illinois and get involved in the Chicago 
community as an activist at the Young Women's Christian Association 
(YWCA).
  However, it was in Washington where Pat became so well known in the 
first of numerous prestigious positions. In 1949, she worked for Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority as executive director and with Howard University 
as dean of students and professor of law. She even had

[[Page E2039]]

enough time to fit George Washington law school into the picture, where 
she graduated first in the graduating class of 1960. Within five years, 
Pat was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as the first black female 
ambassador to Luxembourg. She also later became the first black female 
U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Jimmy 
Carter.
  Pat had a tremendous professional career, as well as a style unlike 
anyone else in public office. She had a unique way or organizing and 
formulating policy strategies effectively. Pat's expectations were 
high, but she took every turn and situation in life head on. This was 
evident as professor, ambassador, public official and particularly when 
she served as as co-chair for President Kennedy's National Women's 
Committee for Civil Rights in 1963. She not only played an essential 
leadership role in this position, she garnered support for the 
enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1985, Pat passed away. 
She bequeathed part of her will to a public affairs program named in 
her honor at her alma mater of Howard University. Pat wanted to make 
sure that future generations would have the same opportunities as she, 
and continue to pursue her goals through government internships. This 
demonstrates just how dedicated Pat Harris was to the African-American 
community and spreading the influence of public service to other.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Pat Harris as the 
commemorative campaign continues organizing her postal stamp, and as 
Mr. Calhoun completes writing her childhood biography on this great 
public official. I wish the organization, and Mrs. Calhoun, my very 
best wishes and future success as they finish highlighting the many 
accomplishments of Pat Harris.

                          ____________________