[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING CONGRESSWOMAN SHIRLEY CHISHOLM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, ``Just wait, there may be some 
fireworks.'' These words were spoken by Ms. Shirley Chisholm after she 
was elected the first black woman to serve in Congress. And, Mr. 
Speaker, there were fireworks.
  As a founding member, Shirley Chisholm made the Congressional Black 
Caucus the ``Conscience of the Congress.'' Throughout her career, she 
was an advocate for the unemployed, for low-wage workers, for women, 
children, and people of color. The daughter of a laborer and a domestic 
worker, Shirley Chisholm won awards for her debating skills at Brooklyn 
College and went on to receive her masters in education at Columbia 
University. When she came to the House in 1968, she became a teacher to 
us all.
  And Mr. Speaker, there were fireworks. Shirley Chisholm carried the 
double burden of being black and being a woman. She was no stranger to 
resistance, but when Shirley wanted something done for her constituency 
or for her country, nothing could stand in her way. She called herself 
``unbossed and unbought,'' and she was. From the moment she entered the 
Congress, she worked to make it a more fair and equal body. She said, 
``Our representative democracy is not working, because the Congress 
that is supposed to represent the voters does not respond to their 
needs. I believe the chief reason for this is that it is ruled by a 
small group of old men.'' Shirley did not rest until she got the 
committee assignments she wanted and the respect she deserved. Mr. 
Speaker, there were fireworks.

  Shirley Chisholm made history, twice: as the first black woman in 
Congress, and then as the first African American to run for President 
in 1972. She said, ``I am an historical person at this point, and I'm 
very much aware of it.'' When asked of her legacy, Shirley said, ``I'd 
like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts.'' Mr. Speaker, we will 
say that and we will say more. Shirley Chisholm had spunk and spitfire, 
she had commitment and courage, she had wit and wisdom--she was an 
inspiration to us all.
  As we move forward into this new Congress, let us learn from our 
great teacher Shirley Chisholm. Let us remember her courage to be 
independent, to speak her mind, and to fight for the under-represented 
in this country. Let us remember that she cared not what the Congress 
was, but what it could and should be. Let us remember her sense of 
historical purpose and find our own. Mr. Speaker, in the name of 
justice, equality, and fairness--in the memory of Shirley Chisholm--let 
there be fireworks.

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