[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E28]]
                 MOURNING THE LOSS OF SHIRLEY CHISHOLM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to mourn 
the passing of my predecessor and mentor, former Congresswoman Shirley 
Chisholm.
  As the first African-American woman elected to Congress and the first 
African-American to seriously run for the office of the Presidency, 
Shirley was a trailblazer who opened the doors of opportunity for 
generations of women and minority politicians.
  Her advocacy for the education of the disadvantaged, Title IX, and 
early childhood education established her as one of the foremost 
education policymakers during her seven terms in Congress. But her 
legacy did not end there. Unmatched as a voice for social justice, 
Shirley fought for the interests of groups like veterans, Haitian 
refugees and day workers.
  A gifted orator, Shirley's ``unbought and unbossed'' political style 
allowed her to make friends and political alliances on both sides of 
the aisle. She was truly one in a million and I am honored to have been 
part of her Brooklyn political circle and to have worked along side her 
throughout her political career. Anyone who came in contact with 
Shirley Chisholm was forever changed for the better; she is one soul on 
this earth who is truly irreplaceable and she will be sorely missed by 
all of those who knew and loved her.

                          ____________________