[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 60 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING DR. DOROTHY I. HEIGHT, A LIVING LEGEND AND ADVOCATE FOR 
                          JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the birth 
of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. For nearly half a century, Dorothy Height 
has served as a leader in the struggle for equality and human rights. 
Living by example, her life's work has and will remain a testament to 
her vision for a just and equitable world for all people.
  Born in Richmond, Virginia on March 24, 1912 she moved to Ranklin, 
Pennsylvania, with her parents, at the age of four. Dr. Height 
demonstrated her intelligence, focus and astonishing oratorical skills 
early on, winning scholarships and competitions that would aid her in 
the pursuit of both a bachelors and masters degree, which she completed 
in four years, at New York University.
  Dr. Height's career as an activist began when she joined the National 
Council for Negro Women in 1937. At the time Dr. Height was working as 
a caseworker for the welfare department in New York. She would go on to 
join the national staff of the YWCA, serve as national president of 
Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated from 1946-1957. Throughout her tenure 
in these capacities Dr. Height developed leadership training programs, 
interracial and ecumenical educational programs, and a series of 
programs--like ``Wednesdays in Mississippi''--designed to bring 
together people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds to create a 
dialogue of understanding.
  Beyond championing a vision of equality and justice for the United 
States, Dr. Height is renowned for her extensive international and 
developmental work in education. In her illustrious career she has 
worked as a national leader, served on numerous appointed committees, 
and received numerous awards and accolades.
  It is with great personal joy that I recognize and celebrate the 
birth anniversary of Dorothy Irene Height, a living legend and a 
treasure to us all.

                          ____________________