[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2039-S2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING ELIZABETH TAYLOR

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I would like to recognize and honor 
the

[[Page S2040]]

incredible life of Elizabeth Taylor, a true Hollywood movie star, a 
dedicated social activist, and a legendary figure in American history.
  Elizabeth Taylor was born on February 27, 1932, in Hampstead, London, 
England, to Americans Francis Lenn Taylor and Sara Viola Warmbrodt. In 
a career that spanned 70 years, Elizabeth Taylor remarkably appeared in 
over 50 films. However, it was her philanthropy and dedication to her 
fellow humankind that have earned my deepest gratitude.
  Many will remember Elizabeth Taylor for her film career, with 
overwhelming hits such as ``National Velvet,'' which catapulted her to 
stardom and solidified her as Hollywood's newest star. I personally 
recall this film as one of my childhood treasures, and it remains a 
classic to this day. Ms. Taylor was a pioneer for women, in film and in 
society. When she signed a $1 million contract for the film 
``Cleopatra,'' it boldly declared her status to Hollywood and the 
world. She also expanded her body of work to include Broadway, where 
she debuted in the revival of Lillian Hellman's 1939 play ``The Little 
Foxes'' and returned in the revival of Noel Coward's 1930 comedy 
``Private Lives.''
  Though Elizabeth Taylor earned her household name through her 
accomplishments in the film industry, it was her charitable work to 
combat AIDS that was truly outstanding. Never one to shy away from 
opposition or controversy, Ms. Taylor wholeheartedly fundraised, 
supported, and raised awareness for AIDS. Her ability to mobilize a new 
audience was remarkable. In addition to fundraising and contributing 
millions of dollars to addressing AIDS, Ms. Taylor was a principal 
founder in the American Foundation for AIDS Research, amfAR, and the 
Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
  Elizabeth Taylor received many accolades throughout her career, 
including her appointment as a Dame Commander of the Order of the 
British Empire for her illustrious film career and humanitarian work. 
Ms. Taylor received two Academy Awards for best actress for her 
performances in ``Butterfield 8'' and ``Who's Afraid of Virginia 
Woolf.'' Later, she was inducted into the California Hall of Fame at 
the California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts, by former 
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. While these honors are notable, it was 
Ms. Taylor's intangible qualities of perseverance, altruism, and grace 
that were even more remarkable.
  Beyond her film career and role as an activist, Elizabeth Taylor was 
an individual with an entrepreneurial spirit. She authored a self-help 
book, designed jewelry for The Elizabeth Collection by Piranesi, and 
created the popular perfumes ``Passion,'' ``White Diamonds,'' and 
``Black Pearls.'' As a reflection of herself, Ms. Taylor's ventures 
always evoked a sense of class, eternal elegance, and beauty.
  Please join me in expressing the sympathies of this body to Elizabeth 
Taylor's family, including her children, Michael Howard and Christopher 
Edward Wilding, Elizabeth ``Liza'' Todd, and Maria Burton, 10 
grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. I have no doubt she will be 
so dearly missed by the many friends, family, and countless individuals 
whose lives she touched. On this day, we celebrate her, her life, her 
legacy, and her extraordinary contributions to our Nation and the world 
as a whole.
  Elizabeth Taylor will be remembered as a dazzling actress, a friend, 
a noble philanthropist, and as Hollywood's ultimate leading lady.

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