[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H5541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MAUDELLE SHIREK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to introduce this resolution 
to honor the vice mayor of the city of Berkeley, a great leader for 
human and civil rights, for peace and disarmament, council member Vice 
Mayor Maudelle Shirek.
  Today, is Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek's 92nd birthday, 92nd; and in 
honor of her tremendous legacy, I am extremely proud to introduce the 
Maudelle Shirek Post Office resolution. While fighting for social 
justice is no rarity in Berkeley, Maudelle's name always stands above 
the rest because of her uncompromising fidelity to her ideals and 
compassion for people.
  As one of my political heroes, Maudelle continues to fight for 
equality and social justice for all. She is truly a role model for 
women, especially for young African American women.
  She not only inspired me to get involved in politics but also my 
predecessor, the honorable Ronald V. Dellums. Her commitments to 
investing in people have won the solid support for many years of voters 
in her district. She is recognized throughout the world as a 
distinguished leader.
  One of my most memorable Maudelle stories was when she was arrested 
with about 109 others in an anti-apartheid protest at the University of 
California at Berkeley. Many of the protestors were many years younger, 
including myself. She knew very well the awesome power of standing for 
what is right, regardless of the consequences.
  A granddaughter of slaves, Maudelle left rural Arkansas which, of 
course, was her home; and she came to California in the middle of World 
War II. Before long, she was campaigning for fair housing and for many, 
many civil rights issues for African Americans and others who had been 
left out and disenfranchised. She became a union organizer and an 
office manager of the Co-Op Credit Union. She has helped many, many 
families in terms of their financial stability in the 9th Congressional 
District, especially in the city of Berkeley. She has demonstrated 
throughout her life the need for coalition politics for the betterment 
of humankind.
  Vice Mayor Shirek's community commitment really knows no limits. She 
helped found two Berkeley senior centers, one of which she really still 
actively oversees; and at 92 years of age, she still delivers meals to 
shut-in seniors or, if it is a Tuesday, she does all of the shopping 
for lunches at the New Light Senior Center, which she founded 28 years 
ago. She taught many, including myself, the value of eating nutritious 
foods in order to live a healthy life.
  Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek continues to speak for the voiceless and 
to defend our basic civil rights and civil liberties. Please join me in 
honoring Ms. Maudelle Shirek, our Vice Mayor of the city of Berkeley, 
who is a fierce and inspirational woman who tirelessly continues to 
fight to make this world fair and just, a world of peace for our 
children's future.
  The Maudelle Shirek Post Office will be a testament to the enormous 
contributions of this great woman.

                          ____________________