[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H422-H426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ESTABLISHING A DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF DR. DOROTHY IRENE HEIGHT
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 55) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a day of celebration
in honor of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 55
Whereas, for nearly half a century, Dr. Dorothy Irene
Height has been a leader in the struggle for equality and
human rights;
Whereas Dr. Height founded the Center for Racial Justice,
served as President of the National Council of Negro Women
and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and held
several leadership positions with the Young Women's Christian
Association of America;
Whereas, under the leadership of Dr. Height, the National
Council of Negro Women achieved tax-exempt status, developed
model programs on topics ranging from teenage parenting to
eradicating hunger, and established the Bethune Museum and
Archives for Black Women, the first institution devoted to
the history of black women;
Whereas Dr. Height conceived of and organized the Black
Family Reunion Celebration, which is now in its eleventh year
and has had 14,000,000 participants;
Whereas Dr. Height has worked with Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, A. Phillip Randolph, and
others to prevent lynching, desegregate the Armed Forces,
reform the criminal justice system, and provide equal access
to public accommodations;
Whereas Dr. Height has served as a participant at
conferences hosted by the United Nations and the President of
the United States;
Whereas the distinguished service and contributions of Dr.
Height to making the world more just and humane have earned
her more than 50 awards and honors from local, State, and
national organizations, and from the Federal Government,
including the Spingarn Medal from the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People, the Presidential Medal
of Freedom from President Clinton, and induction into the
National Women's Hall of Fame;
Whereas Dr. Height has received more than 24 honorary
degrees from educational institutions worldwide; and
Whereas the life of Dr. Height exemplifies a passionate
commitment to the realization of a just society and a vision
of a better world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes Dr. Dorothy Irene Height as a valiant
advocate and crusader for human rights; and
(2) acknowledges the more than 6 decades of distinguished
leadership and service of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).
General Leave
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on House Resolution 55, the legislation before us.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have before the House for consideration
House Resolution 55, legislation introduced by the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
Mr. Speaker, this legislation honors the work of Dorothy Height.
Throughout her career, Dr. Height has been recognized as a leader in
the struggle for equality and human rights for all people. As president
of the National Council on Negro Women, Dr. Height has an outstanding
record of accomplishments. Under her leadership, the council developed
model programs on topics ranging from teenage parenting to eradicating
hunger and established the Bethune Museum and Archives for Black Women,
which was the first institution devoted to the history of black women.
Dr. Height organized the Black Family Reunion Celebration which is
now in its 11th year with over 14 million participants. Dr. Height's
contributions have earned her more than 50 awards and honors from every
level, local, State and national organizations. For her tireless
efforts on behalf of the less fortunate, President Ronald Reagan
presented her the Citizens Medal award for distinguished service to the
country in 1989.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to encourage all of the Members of the
House to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Dynamic, committed, engaging, steadfast. These are only some of the
many words that come to mind to describe Dr. Dorothy Height, a tireless
champion of women, children, civil rights, peace and justice. For
nearly half a century, Dr. Height has been a leader in the struggle for
equality and human rights. In 1935 as a caseworker for the New York
City welfare department, Dr. Dorothy Height became the first black
person named to deal with Harlem rights and thus emerged, as a very
young woman, into public life.
She quickly became one of the young leaders of the national youth
movement of the New Deal era. When Dr. Height was serving as assistant
director of the Harlem YWCA in 1937, Mary McLeod Bethune, founder and
president of the National Council of Negro women, asked Dr. Height to
join her in her quest for women's rights for full equality and
employment, that is to say, equal employment, pay and education.
That was the beginning of Dr. Height's dual role as YWCA staff and
NCNW volunteer, integrating her training as a social worker and her
commitment to rise above the limitations of both race and sex. Dr.
Height was elected national president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority
in 1947 and ushered in a new era of organizational development.
During the 1960s, she worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
Roy Wilkins and others to prevent lynching, desegregating the Armed
Forces, reform the criminal justice system and secure the landmark
civil rights legislation.
In 1957, she assumed the presidency of the National Council of Negro
Women. As president, she has brilliantly led a crusade for justice for
African American women and has both conceived and organized the Black
Family Reunion Celebration which has been held here in Washington and
in cities throughout the country since 1986.
Dr. Height is now chair and president emerita of NCNW. She has worked
tirelessly in the international arena with UNESCO, USAID and as a
representative of numerous world meetings, conferences and missions. As
a recipient of more than 25 honorary doctoral degrees and countless
awards, Dr. Height continues more than six decades as a public servant
in every sense of the word as a dream giver, as an earth shaker, and as
a crusader for human rights.
Mr. Speaker, that is my official statement. If I may, I would like to
offer a personal statement, because Dorothy Height reminds me every
time I see her that she has moved from New York City; and she is now my
constituent. And what a constituent she is to have. This resolution
marks half a century of unique work for human rights, for all the
people of the world, from an extraordinary woman.
February is Black History Month, so it is appropriate to celebrate
the life and work of Dorothy Height. March is Women's History Month;
and we could equally have celebrated Dr. Height's work next month, for
this is a woman who has managed to make history in two identities at
once, as an American woman and as an African American.
You will hear her extraordinary accomplishments in detail
momentarily.
[[Page H423]]
I want simply to pay tribute to her on a specific score, a leadership
role that has made a very special difference.
When the feminist movement thrust forward in the 1960s, there was
extraordinary confusion in the African American community about how to
greet this enormous onslaught of white women calling themselves a
movement. The confusion was among black women, black men, minority
people around the country. It was as if they had forgotten that half of
the black people are black women.
Dorothy Height had the courage to step forward in the midst of that
confusion and declare proudly that she was not only a civil rights
leader, a leader of African Americans, but she was a feminist leader.
Few others had the courage in the late sixties and early seventies to
step right up in front, put her hands on her hips and say, ``Look at
me, I'm both. I'm black and I'm a woman, and I'm going to get out here
and fight for both.''
When you try to divide her identity that way, you divide the great
movement for human rights. Representative Shirley Chisholm, the first
black woman to serve in this body, was another of those courageous
women that stepped forward. Black men and women as a result, both in
this body and in the country, have been among the foremost feminists
and among the foremost advocates of women's rights precisely because
there were a very few leaders who exercised the preeminent role of
leadership and clarified what the right thing to do was and is.
Thus, I simply want to take special note of Dorothy Height's active
leadership in this regard to add to her many, many medals of
leadership, her unwillingness to bifurcate human rights in any form.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield the balance of my time to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) whose foresight is
responsible for this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from
California will control the balance of the time.
There was no objection.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Let me thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia. In fact,
she brought such a spirit to this debate and to this presentation. She
is absolutely right. We are 2 days before Women's History Month, and I
was really grappling with the whole notion of whether we should
introduce this month or the next month. But we know that there are
young African American women who look up to Dorothy Height and the
struggle that she had in trying to bring human dignity and human rights
to this country, and so we thought that it was necessary to do this in
the month of February.
I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) in the
absence of my cochair, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert),
who could not be here to introduce it on the Republican side.
{time} 1500
Mr. Speaker, in keeping with our celebration of Black History Month,
I rise in strong support of House Resolution 55, which honors Dr.
Dorothy Irene Height's life and achievements. I have had the honor of
knowing her for years but have formed a closer relationship since
coming to Washington. I have always been impressed with her grace,
dignity and wisdom.
Recently, the League of African American Women, an organization of
over 40 women groups that I founded about 10 years ago, honored Dr.
Height for her vision and leadership. It was at that event that I
expressed a need for a national declaration of gratitude for the works
of this great leader and the seeds of greatness she has planted for
future generations. Thus, the reason for this resolution.
For more than half a century, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height has given
leadership to the struggle for equality and human rights for all people
by founding the Center for Racial Justice, promoting racial justice and
religious freedom at the YWCA, and working with the National Council of
Negro Women on women's rights, pay equity and educational advancement.
Her life exemplifies a passionate commitment for a just society and a
vision of a better world.
During Dr. Height's career, she worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young and A. Philip Randolph and others
and was the only woman allowed to be present in several high-powered
strategy sessions, and I can remember looking at her and admiring her
when I was a young girl as her being the only woman that sat in the
room with President Johnson, and all of the men whose names I have just
mentioned, to craft the civil rights laws.
As a result, Dr. Height has participated in virtually all major civil
and human rights events.
Dr. Height is also known for her extensive international advocacy
work, educating work and promoting human dignity in training
assignments in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.
With more than six decades of public life as a valiant advocate,
earth shaker and crusader of human rights, it is fitting to celebrate
this illustrious woman as we enter into a new millennium. I am proud to
honor Dr. Height by sponsoring this resolution with the women of the
House. I am also very proud to announce that tomorrow cities around the
Nation will be declaring February 28 of 2001 as Dr. Dorothy Irene
Height Day.
Dorothy Height is truly a historic figure and a renaissance woman,
and I urge all Members to support this resolution and join me in
honoring her lifetime achievements.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).
Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great
American, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. I would like to commend my
colleague, the great woman from the State of California (Ms. Millender-
McDonald) for her insight in pushing such a resolution.
Dr. Height exemplifies the best qualities of leadership as reflected
in her six decades of work to improve the lives of other people. Dr.
Height once stated we have to improve life, not just for those who have
the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system but
also for and with those who often have so much to give but never get
the opportunity.
This philosophy has never been needed more than now, at this period
of our history in the year 2001. Currently, we live in a period of
unparalleled opportunity. However, there are many people who are
unprepared to take advantage of these opportunities. At this time in
our history, we must be mindful of the goals of Dr. Height's work to
lift as we climb.
Today, the Congressional Black Caucus held an historic hearing
regarding electoral reform, the first hearing to be held after the
November election debacle. Consistent with her words to improve life,
we move to say we are not going to get over it; we cannot get over it,
and Dr. Height would not want us to get over it.
With Dr. Height's graduation from New York University in 1933, she
earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in educational psychology. Not
many opportunities were available to women and people of color. Her
career then began to unfold and it represents the liberation of African
America, of black African America, and the advance of women's rights
and the struggle and effort to lift up the poor and powerless.
She became a volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women and
worked with Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, became President of that
organization after Ms. Bethune's death. She worked closely with other
great civil rights leaders.
As a self-help advocate, Dr. Height has been instrumental in the
initiation of NCNW-sponsored food.
I close with this: I am proud to honor Dr. Height today; proud to be
a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, a national service sorority
dedicated to providing assistance to those in need.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Mica) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to come here on the floor to pay tribute to a
woman
[[Page H424]]
who is a dear friend of mine and who is a mentor of mine. I am just so
pleased and I want to commend the authors of this resolution for
bringing it out on the floor.
Dorothy Height reminds me of something that Shakespeare said, ``Those
about her, from her shall learn the perfect ways of honor,'' and indeed
she epitomizes that.
It is a pleasure to recognize a pioneer for both human and civil
rights. Throughout Dr. Dorothy Irene Height's career, which spanned
over six decades, Ms. Height has joined with other such great leaders
as Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Young, Mary McLeod Bethune to make
our country a better place for all people.
In 1957, Dorothy Height assumed presidency of the National Council of
Negro Women, which led the civil rights movement for voting rights and
desegregated education. In addition to her 20 honorary degrees and over
50 awards, Dorothy Height received the Citizens Medal Award for
distinguished national service in 1989, the Stellar Award and the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, to name simply a few.
Dr. Height's international influence initiated the only African
American private voluntary organization in Africa, as well as
organizations in Asia, Europe and South America. Her national
associations include the inauguration of the Center for Racial Justice
and founded the Black Family Reunion Celebration, which is an event
that has attracted over 11 million visitors and supporters.
Before her retirement in 1996, Dorothy Height secured funding for a
national headquarters for the National Council of Negro Women in
Washington, D.C., our Nation's capital. I have appeared with her in
panels and forums. I have also listened to her speak, and I am always
absolutely amazed at her insight and her brilliance and her
identification with people, with all people.
Throughout her life, Dorothy Height has made an immense impact on
both women's rights and human rights issues with her tireless passion
and positive nature.
She continues to be an inspiration and a teacher to us all and my
personal friend and role model. I am proud to join my colleagues in
recognizing her life's achievements.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
(Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this Congress owes a tribute to
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) for having the
foresight of introducing this legislation regarding Dr. Dorothy Irene
Height. I am pleased and privileged to be here today. I have known Ms.
Dorothy Height for 50 years as she started out in a college where I
taught many years ago, Bethune Cookman College. She was a colleague and
a friend of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, so it is with privilege and honor
that I stand here today to pay tribute to Dr. Height.
It is very hard to describe Dr. Height because she is a phenomenal
woman. It is very hard to even describe a superlative for Dr. Height.
She is an academic. She is a scholar. She is a social worker. She is a
giver for everyone. Dr. Height was a mainstream black woman who did
things for everybody, not only black America but white America as well,
and particularly for women. She reached out through her work with the
YWCA and through her work with the National Council of Negro Women.
During those days, it was sort of a courageous stand to be a member of
the National Council of Negro Women.
She has been a leader in the struggle for equality and civil rights
and human rights for everyone. Her life exemplifies her passionate
commitment to a just society and a vision for a better world. Dr.
Height was more than words. She was a woman of action. She is known all
over the world for her extensive international and developmental
education work. She initiated the first African American private
voluntary organization working in Africa way back in 1975, building on
the success of the National Council of Negro Women's assignments in
Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.
Working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Roy Wilkins, Whitney
Young, A. Philip Randolph and others, Dr. Height participated in
virtually all major civil and human rights events in the United States
in the 1950s and 1960s. It took a phenomenal woman to do that, Mr.
Speaker.
In 1989, she received a Presidential Citizens Medal Award for
distinguished service to the country. Each President in this country
has honored Dr. Height in some way, both Republican and Democrat, and
all of them understood that this woman was a little bit different and a
cut above. Therefore, they honored her in every way.
After nearly five decades of national leadership, Dr. Height still
remains very active in the struggle for equality and human rights for
all people. She still serves as chair of the Leadership Conference on
Civil Rights and Chair Emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women.
She is a role model for all of us in the Congress and for all who
aspire to positions of leadership. Dr. Height rightfully takes her
place as one of our Nation's giants in social and educational
leadership.
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height is my hero, and, Mr. Speaker, we do her
honor.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). The gentlewoman from Texas
(Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5\1/2\ minutes.
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, what an honor to join the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) for this great day
and to thank her for her leadership of the Women's Caucus, but thank
her in particular for her leadership on this issue. I am proud to join
her as an original cosponsor.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the House and I thank the gentleman from Florida
(Mr. Mica) for his leadership as well.
I am going to speak from the heart. I have a prepared text but this
is such a grand day that I am overwhelmed with emotion, and it is a day
that the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) has
helped bring to fruition, and we thank her for it; long overdue.
Just a few hours or so ago, we were in a hearing talking about how to
empower the election process of America. Dorothy Height is the
successor to the great leader of that wonderful college, Bethune
Cookman, and I am always reminded of her statement about educating the
little children. Mary McLeod Bethune had five broken little chairs and
she decided to organize a college, a beautiful college, that now exists
that my predecessor at the mike, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs.
Meek) went to and graduated and had the honor of calling her her
mentor. Well, she trained Dorothy Height and Dorothy Height came to the
front of the leadership realm during a time when women were usually
sitting down and not sitting down like Rosa Parks were. They were
pushed to the back.
{time} 1515
Dorothy Height stood tall and she was regal, but she was sound and
she was heard, having the ear of Presidents, starting I think as early
as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, moving through Truman, Eisenhower,
Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon. There was not one, including Carter and others
since that time, with whom Dorothy Height did not have an active role.
What was her issue? Her issue was dealing with the American people,
the hopeless and helpless. It was dealing with improving education in
historically black colleges, with uplifting women and providing them
with training so they could go outside of the home and become
contributing members, as they desired to do. It was opening the doors
of opportunity.
She got her start from the YWCA, and getting her start there, she was
able to promote a number of programs that helped women. She worked
closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and A.
Phillip Randolph. She knew Barbara Jordan, Barbara Jordan asking and
answering
[[Page H425]]
the question, what do we want: ``just simply what America promises,''
and that is equality and opportunity. That is what Dorothy Height spoke
to us about.
She was head of the National Council of Negro Women, which seems to
isolate her, but I would say, the head of an organized body of women
wanting what is better for women, what is better for Americans: helping
us move beyond our own stereotypes, helping the aged, and working to
ensure that those people who cannot speak can be heard.
She had a vision, and the vision was that we would own property,
meaning the National Council of Negro Women, on Pennsylvania Avenue. I
believe it is the only property owned by African-Americans. What a
dream.
Now, just a few hundred yards down from the White House, sits this
beautiful edifice that is not a testament to isolated Americans, it is
a testament to what Americans can do when they pull up their
bootstraps. That is what Dorothy Height did on behalf of the National
Council of Negro Women.
I honor her out of my heart, out of my soul, and out of my spirit,
Mr. Speaker, a woman who stood next to all the civil rights fighters
and spoke on my behalf when I could not. This is a great day.
Mr. Speaker, I would simply close by acknowledging the dream she had,
which was to enhance the property of Pennsylvania Avenue with our
presence. Now we have this wonderful building that is not just in
bricks and mortar, but it is a building that studies how to improve the
working conditions of women; how to deal with enhancing the educational
needs of a larger community; how to heal the racial divide in our
country; how to actively say that civil rights is not an isolated part
of one particular constituency, but it is of all Americans.
Out of that, let me say, Mr. Speaker, that she has been acknowledged
by the Stellar Award; the Spirit of Cincinnati Ambassador Award; The
Camille Cosby World of Children Award; the National Caucus and Center
on Black Aged Living Legacy Award; the Caring Award by the Caring
Institute.
I have been honored by receiving a Dorothy Height Award, and what a
precious award of leadership, not because I deserve it, but because
Dorothy Height deserves to have an award named after her, after all the
years that she has stood alongside of the civil rights fighters; the
only woman, I think, to speak, or one of the very few women, in 1964 at
the March on Washington, when she heard the words, ``I have a dream.''
I would simply say that Dorothy Irene Height has an outstanding
record of accomplishment.
As a self-help advocate, she has been instrumental in the initiation
of the National Council of Negro Women's sponsorship of food, child
care, housing, and career educational programs that embody the
principles of self-reliance.
As a promoter of black family life, she conceived and organized the
Black Family Reunion Celebration in 1986 to reinforce the historic
strength of family, both the African-American family, but the American
family. Now it is in its 9th year.
So Dr. Dorothy Irene Height deserves this lifetime resolution, this
lifetime acknowledgment of her achievement. She is a brilliant woman,
an advocate of women's rights, and she is still going on. So I simply
close by saying I will walk with the Constitution because Dorothy Irene
Height gave me the right to stand tall as a woman.
Mr. Speaker, Dorothy Height's lifetime of achievement measures the
liberation of Black America, the advance of women's rights and a
determined effort to lift the poor and the powerless into the Hall of
Power and influence in our Nation.
Dorothy Height began her career as a staff member of the YWCA in New
York City, becoming director of the Center for Racial Justice. She
became a volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women, when she
worked with NCNW founder Mary McLeod Bethune.
When Bethune died, Height became president, a position she continues
to hold. NCNW, an organization of national organizations and community
sections with outreach to 4 million women, develops model national and
international community-based programs, sent scores of women to help in
the Freedom Schools of the civil rights movement, and spearheaded voter
registration drives Height's collaborative leadership style brings
together people of different cultures for mutual benefit.
Because of Dorothy Height's commitment to the Black family she has
hosted since 1986, the Black Family Reunion Celebration in which almost
10 million have participated.
Born in Richmond, VA, she moved with her parents to Ranklin, PA, at
an early age. Winner of a scholarship for her exceptional oratorical
skills, she entered New York University where she earned the Bachelor
and Master degrees in 4 years.
While working as a caseworker for the welfare department in New York,
Dr. Height joined the NCNW in 1937 and her career as a pioneer in civil
rights activities began to unfold. She served on the national staff of
the YWCA of USA from 1944 to 1977 where she was active in developing
its leadership training and interracial and ecumenical education
programs. In 1965 she inaugurated the Center for Racial Justice which
is still a major initiative of the National YWCA. She served as the
10th national president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. from
1946 to 1957 before becoming president of the NCNW in 1958.
Working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins,
Whitney Young, A. Philip Randolph, and others, Dr. Height participated
in virtually all major civil and human rights events in the 1950's and
1960's. For her tireless efforts on behalf of the less fortunate,
President Ronald Regan presented her the Citizens Medal Award for
distinguished service to the country in 1989.
Dr. Height is known for her extensive international and developmental
education work. She initiated the sole African-American private
voluntary organization working in Africa in 1975, building on the
success of NCNW's assignments in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South
America.
In three decades of national leadership, she has served on major
policymaking bodies affecting women, social welfare, economic
development, and civil and human rights, and has received numerous
appointments and awards. The most recent recognitions include
appointment to the Advisory Council of the White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities by President Bush and to
the National Advisory Council on Aging by Secretary of Health and Human
Services Louis Sullivan. Her awards are extensive with the most recent
ones including the Stellar Award; the Spirit of Cincinnati Ambassador
Award; Camille Cosby World of Children Award; National Caucus and
Center on Black Aged Living Legacy Award; the Caring Award by the
Caring Institute; NAFEO Distinguished Leadership Award; the Olender
Foundation's Generous Heart Award; and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Freedom From Want Award. She also received 19 honorary doctorates from
colleges and universities.
As president of NCNW, Dorothy Irene Height has an outstanding record
of accomplishments. As a self-help advocate, she has been instrumental
in the initiation of NCNW sponsored food, child care, housing and
career educational programs that embody the principles of self-
reliance. As a promoter of Black family life she conceived and
organized the Black Family Reunion Celebration in 1986 to reinforce the
historic strengths and traditional values of the African-American
Family. Now in its ninth year, this multicity cultural event has
attracted some 11.5 million people.
Dr. Dorothy I. Height's lifetime of achievement measures the
liberation of Black America, the brilliant advance of women's rights,
and the most determined effort to lift up the poor and the powerless.
Dream giver and earth shaker, Dr. Dorothy Height has followed and
expanded on the original purpose of the National Council of Negro
Women, giving new meaning, new courage and pride to women, youth and
families everywhere.
Dorothy Height has been recognized numerous times for his
contributions to America. She has received the Spingarn Medal from the
NAACP, July 1993 and has been inducted into ``National Womens Hall of
Fame'', October, 1993.
I am pleased and honored to stand with fellow women of the Congress,
the Congressional Black Caucus to recognize a living American legend
and champion of equal rights and justice for all Americans--Dorothy
Height.
General Leave
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on House Resolution 55.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). Is there objection to the
request of the gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Millender-McDonald) for introducing this important resolution, for her
efforts to bring to the floor this resolution today, and also to
recognize, at a
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time when our young people so desperately need role models, someone who
follows in the footsteps of some of my African-American female heroes:
Mary McLeod Bethune; Zora Neal Hurston, someone who I love and adore as
a black author, and whose works have not been properly recognized until
late; Barbara Jordan; and today I saw so many Barbara Jordans on the
floor who I am very proud of, and who serve as role models in the House
of Representatives, again for so many young people across this land who
need role models.
Dorothy Height's life exemplifies her passionate commitment to a just
society, and her vision of a much better world for everyone. It is
fitting today that Congress acknowledge more than 6 decades of
distinguished leadership and service provided by Dorothy Irene Height.
I want to again thank the sponsors of this legislation, and thank the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), chairman of our full committee,
and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), chairman of the
Subcommittee on Civil Service of the Committee on Government Reform,
for bringing this legislation forward; and also the ranking member, and
the chief ranking member, of course, is the gentleman from California
(Mr. Waxman), and also Mr. Davis, for working expeditiously to bring
this resolution to the floor today.
I urge Members to lend their support to this resolution.
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, throughout her career, Dr. Dorothy
I. Height has been a leader in the struggle for equality and human
rights for all people. Her life serves as an example of one who is
passionately committed for a just society and her vision of a better
world.
In 1965, she started the Center for Racial Justice which is still a
major initiative of the National YWCA.
She worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins,
Whitney Young, A. Philip Randolph as well as others. Dr. Height
participated in virtually all major civil and human rights events in
the 1950s and 1960s. For her tireless efforts on behalf of the less
fortunate, President Ronald Reagan presented her the Citizens Medal
Award for distinguished service to the country in 1989.
Dr. Height is known for her extensive international and developmental
education work. She initiated the sole African American private
voluntary organization working in Africa in 1975, building on the
success of NCNW's assignments in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South
America. In three decades of national leadership, she has served on
major policymaking bodies affecting women, social welfare, economic
development, and civil and human rights, and has received numerous
appointments and awards. The most recent recognitions include
appointment to the Advisory Council of the White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities by President Bush and to
the National Advisory Council on Aging by Secretary of Health and Human
Services Louis Sullivan. As a self-help advocate, she has been
instrumental in the initiation of NCNW sponsored food, child care,
housing and career educational programs that embody the principles of
self-reliance. As a promoter of Black family life she conceived and
organized the Black Family Reunion Celebration in 1986 to reinforce the
historic strengths and traditional values of the African American
Family. Now in its ninth year, this multi-city cultural event has
attracted some 11.5 million people.
Dr. Dorothy I. Height's lifetime of achievement measures the
liberation of Black America, the brilliant advance of women's rights,
and the most determined effort to lift up the poor and the powerless.
Dream giver and earth shaker, Dr. Dorothy Height has followed and
expanded on the original purpose of the National Council of Negro
Women, giving new meaning, new courage and pride to women, youth and
families everywhere.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, today we salute a true living legend--Dr.
Dorothy Height. An icon, Dr. Height has been a model in the struggle
for human rights everywhere. Throughout a career spanning over six
decades, Dr. Height has served as a notable leader, filling an array of
positions, and always doing so with an unyielding sense of commitment,
determination, class, and integrity.
There are so many different words with which one might describe Dr.
Height:
Stalwart because of her dedication to women and the Black community.
She has given over three decades of committed leadership and service as
President of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) where she
orchestrated their child care, housing, and career educational
programs;
Fashionable because of her stunning grace and trademark stylish hats,
turning heads everywhere she goes;
A heroine and role model, Dr. Height filled the post of national
president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and served on the
national staff for the YWCA; and
An incredible champion for her work as a valiant civil rights leader,
serving with the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins,
Whitney Young, and A. Phillip Randolph.
I salute Dr. Dorothy Height with a quote from famous poet Nikki
Giovanni's poem, ``Ego Tripping'':
She was born in the congo
She walked to the fertile crescent and built the sphinx
She designed a pyramid so tough that a star that only glows
every one hundred years falls into the center giving
divine perfect light
She is bad!!
She is so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal
She cannot be comprehended except by her permission
I mean . . . She can fly like a bird in the
sky . . .
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize a
distinguished woman who devoted her life to fighting for human rights,
peace, and justice.
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was the first African-American named to deal
with the Harlem riots of 1935 and became one of the young leaders of
the National Youth Movement of the New Deal era.
She dedicated her life to more than six decades of distinguished
leadership and service. Dr. Height established the Center for Racial
Justice and the Bethune Museum and Archives for Black women. She served
as president of the National Council of Negro Women and organized the
Black Family Reunion Celebration.
She worked hard to improve lives while working at the YWCA and the
National Council of Negro Women, as the fourth elected President.
She diligently worked to expand women's rights for full and equal
employment, pay, and education. She not only worked to expand women's
rights in the U.S., but also in the international arena.
She has touched many lives through her instrumental work on improving
child care, housing projects, and career and educational programs that
embody the principles of self-reliance.
I want to commend Dr. Height for her work to better people's lives
through her commitment to fight for human rights as well as uphold
justice, equality, and freedom throughout the world. Thank you Dr.
Height for your tremendous work. You are a living legacy.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to join with my
colleagues in passing House Resolution 55, honoring Dr. Dorothy Irene
Height as an activist and crusader for human rights. Dr. Height has
dedicated her life to serving her community. She has affected great
change in the areas of women's empowerment, social welfare, economic
development, and civil and human rights.
She has been a tireless advocate, working for decades on behalf of
socially and economically disadvantaged communities. And she is perhaps
most notable because she understands the diversity of this country and
our world, utilizing a collaborative leadership style, to bring people
of different cultures together for mutual benefit. She is a true leader
in the struggle for equality and social justice.
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height is truly an amazing individual, for whom I
have a great deal of admiration and respect.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 55.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof), the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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