[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING HARRIET TRUDELL ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the life and achievements of Harriet Trudell of Las Vegas, 
Nevada on the occasion of her 80th birthday.
  Harriet was born on August 22, 1932 in St. Petersburg, Florida, into 
a family passionate in their beliefs of the Democratic Party and its 
principles.
  In 1948, 16-year-old Harriet had a life-changing experience when she 
accompanied her father to the Democratic National Convention where he 
was an alternate delegate. Hearing Hubert Humphrey's civil rights 
speech during the convention had a great impact on Harriet's life, and 
she returned home to Florida passionate for the cause of equality and 
began a lifelong quest for social change.
  Throughout every decade since, Harriet has been a force to contend 
with, fighting for fairness and equality for all.
  During the early 1950's, Harriet organized unions for the state AFL-
CIO in Florida.
  In 1962, Harriet moved to Las Vegas with her husband and two children 
where she continued her passion for equality.
  In 1965, Harriet marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other 
civil rights activists from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, raising the 
awareness of voting rights of African-Americans.
  Coming full circle from her attendance at the 1948 Democratic 
National Convention, Harriet served as the Southern Nevada Director of 
Hubert Humphrey's 1968 presidential campaign.
  During the 1970's, Harriet was active in the League of Women Voters, 
National Organization for Women (NOW), and the Clark County Women's 
Democratic Club. She fought passionately against segregation in the 
Clark County School District, for welfare rights and for the 
ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
  In March 1971, Harriet marched down the Las Vegas Strip in support of 
opportunity for the disenfranchised.
  Harriet served as Southern Nevada Aide for Governor Michael 
O'Callaghan from 1974 to 1978 and as the Foreign Affairs Aide for 
Congressman Harry Reid in Washington, D.C. from 1983 to 1986.
  In addition, throughout her extraordinary career, Harriet has been an 
advocate for Operation Life, served on the board for NOW, and been a 
lobbyist for the Feminist Majority Foundation in Washington, D.C.
  Fifty years after Harriet's initial foray into national and state 
politics, she was a driving force in NOW's ``Elect Women 2000.'' While 
serving as Campaign Director in Louisiana, she traveled throughout the 
State, and was successful in tripling the number of women elected to 
the Louisiana State Legislature.
  Presently, this remarkable woman serves as the Political Director for 
the Nevada State Democratic Party.
  As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it 
gives me immense pride to honor Harriet Trudell of Las Vegas, Nevada, 
and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments 
of this incredible woman on the occasion of her 80th birthday.

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