[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6283-H6288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PAYING TRIBUTE TO SHIRLEY CHISOLM
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 9, 2023, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-
McCormick) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority
leader.
General Leave
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this
Special Order hour.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I
rise today to anchor the CBC Special Order hour. For the next 60
minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to honor the legacy of
Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, an individual of great importance to the
Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents we represent,
and all Americans.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).
Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my dear colleague,
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, along with her partner,
Congressman Jonathan Jackson, for anchoring this evening's Special
Order hour honoring Shirley Chisolm.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on this special occasion to celebrate and
commemorate the 100th birthday of the late Congresswoman Shirley Anita
St. Hill Chisholm and in commemoration of her lifetime of extraordinary
trailblazing achievement.
Shirley Chisolm was a woman who truly lived her American Dream out
loud, unapologetically, and with audacity. Her special brand of
leadership and her charismatic persona in concert with her audacious
eloquence and sheer elegance brought to the world our fight for justice
through the embodiment of a petite woman from Brooklyn.
As the only Black woman in the New York State congressional
delegation, also a Brooklynite, and the Member who holds the very same
seat in part that Shirley Chisholm once held, I am not only duty bound
to prioritize the marginalized and overlooked and protect the
underserved and left behind, I am compelled to do so.
My Congress Member, Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, did the same for
me. She championed my cause, she paid it forward, and she pulled me up,
just as she did for all Americans. You see, Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman
Shirley Chisolm was a woman who dared to be a catalyst for change.
From her first day in the New York State Assembly to her last in the
United States House of Representatives and beyond, Congresswoman
Shirley Chisolm fought to deliver justice, fairness, and equality to
all Americans.
We are all very fortunate that her life's work, which pioneered
progress
[[Page H6284]]
and restructured the status quo, altered the very chemistry of this
body and has provided us a blueprint that we need to do the same.
Remembering the name and remembering the accolades of Shirley Chisolm
does more than memorialize her life and legacy. It proves to the
millions of Black girls and women in this country that if they achieve,
if they strive for their greatness, if they better their country and
this world, then they too may be remembered eternally by the Nation
they devoted their lives to bettering. They, too, may be remembered for
all time as the trailblazers and changemakers of their day.
We know all too well that progress has never happened by accident. It
takes leaders, and in many cases, it takes Black women leaders.
Thankfully, today we have countless of them to lean on and to learn
from.
Together, I believe we have a moral mandate and an opportunity to not
just examine racial inequalities that span every sector and every
segment of our society, but the responsibility to tell the truth about
how we got here. By celebrating the late Shirley Anita St. Hill
Chisholm, we are fulfilling that responsibility.
It is indeed my honor to stand here. Both of us were born in the
month of November. Both of us are daughters of Caribbean immigrants.
Both of us love to dance and love to dress. Shirley Chisolm was a
trailblazer, Shirley Chisolm was a changemaker, and Shirley Chisolm
will forever be remembered.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from Alabama (Ms. Sewell).
Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues of the Congressional
Black Caucus in paying tribute to the one and only Shirley Chisolm as
we celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday.
The first Black woman ever elected to Congress, Shirley Chisolm is an
icon and a trailblazing public servant whose contributions to our
Nation shall never be forgotten.
As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, she took a
bold stand against injustice for all. She used her position on the
House Agriculture Committee to expand food assistance for vulnerable
families, and she championed policies to advance equality for women and
African Americans.
Shirley Chisolm has always been one of my greatest sheroes, and I am
fortunate to have met her before she passed. As a senior at Princeton
University, I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Shirley Chisolm for
my senior thesis titled ``Black Women in Politics: Our Time Has Come.''
As luck would have it, it started to snow just as I sat down with
her. My 30-minute interview turned into 4 hours with Shirley Chisolm.
Shirley Chisolm shared the challenges and struggles that she
encountered as the first African-American woman ever elected to
Congress. She spoke about the importance of defining yourself for
yourself. She taught us that if you are not given a seat at the
decisionmaking table, then bring a folding chair.
Most importantly, she inspired little Black girls like myself to have
a voice in the world. Today, when I am feeling distraught, when I am
frustrated on the House floor, when I am upset that I wasn't able to
deliver for my constituents, I walk by that glorious portrait of
Shirley Chisolm in the Nation's Capitol. Her hand is on her hips, her
finger is pointed. She is, indeed, unbossed and unbought.
Mr. Speaker, when I see that glorious portrait, I have to tell you
that I get a pep in my step. I get a glide in my stride. She fought the
good fight and so must we.
Shirley Chisolm's career paved the way for countless Black women to
follow in her footsteps, and I know that it is because of her amazing
leadership and leadership like hers that I get to walk the Halls of
Congress as Alabama's first African-American Congresswoman.
I join my colleagues in celebrating the 100th birthday of the
legendary Shirley Chisolm. May we never forget the minds that she
changed, the change that she sparked, and the countless Americans whom
she inspired.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman
from Florida for yielding and for her tremendous and steady leadership
in bringing us all together during these very important Congressional
Black Caucus Special Order hours.
Yes, Congresswoman Chisolm made history as the first Black woman to
be elected to the United States Congress. She was the first. I am the
20th. That is since 1789, mind you, when the first Congress went into
session.
She also was the first Black woman and the first woman to run for the
Presidency of the United States of America.
Throughout her seven terms representing New York's 12th Congressional
District, and mine just happens to be California's 12th Congressional
District, Shirley worked across the aisle to advocate for her
constituents and to pass bipartisan reforms. She focused on tackling
issues of food insecurity and economic justice.
She was known as Fighting Shirley. She was a fearless advocate for
American families who served as the founding member of the
Congressional Black Caucus.
There are a couple of stories I would just like to mention tonight.
When I came to Congress, there had been no real recognition of Shirley
Chisolm, and I decided to introduce a resolution to honor her. I called
her from right back there, the Cloakroom, and, of course, the
resolution was on suspension. On suspension, of course, the first night
we come back into session, there weren't very many Members here, but
there were maybe two or three Democrats and maybe one or two
Republicans.
Connie Morelli from Maryland was on the floor to speak on behalf of
the resolution. As I was talking to Shirley, I told her to turn on C-
SPAN to watch it. She was very upset.
She said: Barbara, where are the Republicans?
She said: I worked very closely with the Republicans constantly.
Nobody is there.
I said: Shirley, you remember that on suspension votes, this is the
first night we are coming back, and believe you me, Republicans are
supporting this resolution.
{time} 1945
She was pretty antsy and upset about that, so I pulled it from
suspension that night--it was the first and probably the only bill I
have ever pulled from suspension--and called for a recorded vote. At
the recorded vote, all green lights came up. There wasn't one red
light, so I ran back and talked to her.
I said: Okay, Shirley, now look. Look at that board. Not one
Republican voted ``no.''
She was relieved. I mean, that is just how serious she took her
bipartisan work. She was so happy to see everybody voting on her
behalf, remembering her legacy that night.
Another story that I think is very important for all of us to
remember is, as the public comes into the Capitol, they see this
beautiful portrait of Shirley in the hall, and a young African-American
artist from Compton, California, painted that.
I thank Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and the late Congresswoman
Juanita Millender-McDonald from California, who was the chair of the
House Administration Committee. They fought like you would not believe
to get this portrait authorized and appropriated and painted.
I take this moment to remember Juanita Millender-McDonald tonight
because there is no way we would have had that portrait had she not
been chair of that House Administration Committee, and our Speaker
leading the Democrats and working with Juanita to make that happen.
Of course, to my Delta sisters here: Remember that day when we
unveiled the portrait. There were many, many Delta members, and her
sorors were there the day we unveiled that picture.
Fast forward to the postal stamp. Everything has been very difficult.
If you are a woman, a woman of color, sometimes everything gets a
little challenging. We tried to have Shirley Chisholm's legacy
memorialized in a postal stamp.
I introduced the legislation. It had to be bipartisan. We received
the bipartisan support. Then, after about 5
[[Page H6285]]
years, I was told I couldn't do it. To have a postal stamp in someone's
honor, you have to wait 10 years until after they pass. I was never
told that upfront, so we had to start all over again, but we finally
got it done.
If you don't have one of the Shirley Chisholm legacy historical
stamps, please try to get the Postal Service to get you one because
they are beautiful stamps, and they really exemplify her beauty and her
strength.
Finally, I will say one personal thing about Shirley because she was
the catalyst for my career in public service.
When I met her, I was a student at Mills College. Like so many young
people today, I was intentionally, mind you--intentionally disconnected
with the political system. It wasn't that I was apathetic. It wasn't
that I didn't understand what was going on. It was that I did not
believe that it worked for me, a young Black mother raising two
children on her own on public assistance. I was very active. I was
president of the Black student union.
When I met and spoke with Shirley, she took me to task. She called me
Little Girl until the day she died. I was 26 then.
She said: Little Girl, you are not registered to vote?
I said: No, ma'am.
She said: Why not?
I told her why not. I said I didn't believe in politics. It just
wasn't working for me.
Finally, she convinced me that I needed to get involved, and I ended
up, bottom line, organizing her northern California Presidential
primary out of my Mills College class with two students, Sandre Swanson
and Sandy Gaines.
I went on to Miami as a Shirley Chisholm delegate, where I met Mr.
Clyburn, and the rest is history. I got an A in the class, actually. I
was going to flunk that class because part of the work was to do field
work, and I was refusing to work in the guy's campaigns.
I say that it is important to remember that she flipped the script,
and she left the indelible legacy on American politics, all while
holding the door open for the rest of us to step through. Throughout
her life, she did remain unbought and unbossed.
Hopefully, this week, the House and the Senate will finally honor her
with the Congressional Gold Medal. She deserves it, and I thank the CBC
and the gentlewoman again for her leadership and for giving us a chance
to really salute our Heavenly sister, Shirley Chisholm.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty).
Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my CBC colleagues and anchors for
tonight's Special Order hour.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as many of my colleagues have done, to
celebrate the 100th birthday of a titan of American democracy, Shirley
Anita Chisholm.
Born 100 years ago, as we have heard, Shirley Chisholm shattered
barriers as the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first
Black woman to serve on the House Rules Committee.
She was fearless, fighting for equity, early childhood education,
labor protections, domestic workers, and programs like SNAP and WIC,
Mr. Speaker, that we are still fighting for today. During this very
Congress, we are debating something that she has left us a legacy with.
Maybe we should go back in time and revisit what she did for our farm
bill.
Her advocacy also inspired Title IX, the Equal Rights Amendment, and
generations of women to lead in boardrooms, classrooms, and right here
in these Chambers.
She did not stop there. In 1972, she stood before America and
declared her candidacy for President, not for the glory of winning, but
to make room at the table for those silenced too long.
Mr. Speaker, it thrives in every Black person who refuses to wait
their turn and every leader who prioritizes people over politics. I can
tell you as chair emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus, the body
that she cofounded with 12 other Black men, I stand on her shoulders.
The Congressional Black Caucus stands on her shoulders. I might go as
far as saying America stands on her shoulders.
Little girls come and tour the United States Capitol, and they see
that painting, the same painting, Mr. Speaker, that, on the day I was
sworn in on this floor, I went to and touched the frame and said the
two most powerful words we can say: Thank you, Shirley Chisholm.
Now I stand here in this room, in this Chamber, where Shirley
Chisholm stood. I am so proud, as we heard my colleague, Barbara Lee,
say, yes, she was a proud member of our beloved sorority, Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority. Today, I serve with eight Black women who are members
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, many of them in this Chamber right now.
I leave us with her words, and whether this Nation acknowledges her
words, they stand strong with not just us as Black women, but White and
Brown women; stand with little girls who she told: If they don't give
you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.
The significance of that is so valuable because it is talking about
how we have been denied to be at that table. If you are not in the
room, you don't have a voice. Shirley Chisholm gave us that voice.
Mr. Speaker, today, I thank my colleagues of the Congressional Black
Caucus for allowing us to be in her chambers, stand in her footsteps,
and make a commitment and a pledge that we will always have a seat at
the table because we will bring a chair.
I thank my colleagues for holding this Special Order hour.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).
Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from the
Congressional Black Caucus for taking this time to acknowledge this
champion.
Today, I rise in recognition of the late Shirley Chisholm, who was
born 100 years ago last Wednesday. A child of immigrants raised in
Brooklyn, Shirley Chisholm would go on to become the first Black woman
elected to Congress and the first woman ever to seek the nomination for
President from either major American political party.
The values she championed throughout her career still serve as noble
guiding principles for us all today. She ran unequivocally,
unashamedly, and unreservedly on antipoverty, antiwar, and antiracist
platforms. She spoke plainly, forcefully, and with a moral clarity that
cut through the smoke-filled rooms where men made deals for us on
behalf of themselves.
Now maybe more than ever, our country is in need of the strength of a
Shirley Chisholm. As I close, I will say everyone has a Shirley
Chisholm story, and I thank God I have one, too.
I spent the day with her talking about the building of the
Congressional Caucus on Black Women. She asked me--no. She said to me:
Bonnie, I need you down here in D.C. to work with us on the national
level. Little did we know what God has prepared for you.
I am because she was. I am grateful to God.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from Ohio (Ms. Brown).
Ms. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for pulling the CBC
together for this Special Order hour along with the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Jackson).
I am honored to join my CBC colleagues in recognition of the 100th
birthday of the great Shirley Chisholm here in the House Chamber.
It is so appropriate that we are here because this is one of the
places where Shirley made history. On January 3, 1969, she was the
first Black woman to walk into this Chamber as a Member of Congress.
That was the 91st Congress of the United States, meaning that the first
90 Congresses, dating back to 1789, had not featured a Black woman.
Of course, most Congresses had not featured many women or many Black
Representatives at all. In fact, the same day that Congresswoman
Chisholm was sworn in, my predecessor, representing northeast Ohio, the
Honorable Louis Stokes, another founding member of the CBC, also took
office, being the first Black Member of Congress from Ohio after 166
years of statehood.
That is why I have so much pride when I look at my colleagues because
we are here now, and it started with Shirley Chisholm.
Shirley Chisholm served, legislated, and lived like she was making up
for
[[Page H6286]]
lost time, making up for all the times that people like her had been
shut out of the conversation or left out of the room. That is why her
legacy is so strong today.
She wasn't just a first. She wasn't just a historical footnote. She
was a fighter. Shirley Chisholm was someone who came here on day one
and demanded to be heard and demanded that her constituents be heard.
She fought, unbought and unbossed, for the nutrition benefits, for
people in need, for childcare, for universal healthcare, and for
justice for Black women and Black Americans and all people in this
country.
These fights are not over. As we head into a new Congress next year
along with a new President, it is clear that many of these same battles
will be fought anew.
Therefore, as we celebrate Congresswoman Chisholm's 100th birthday,
let us all draw strength from her example and the courage to carry on
her legacy.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove).
{time} 2000
Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I give thanks and appreciation to the
gentlewoman from Florida for holding it down during this Special Order
hour for the CBC, and I thank the gentleman from Illinois for doing the
same.
Mr. Speaker, today, we stand on the shoulders of a giant, a giant who
stood just 5 feet 3 inches tall but had the power to shake the Nation.
Shirley Chisholm wasn't just the first Black woman elected to
Congress. She was a force of nature who shattered barriers and dared
anyone to stop her. Spoiler alert: They couldn't.
In a world that told her no at every turn, Shirley said: Watch me.
Watch me.
She ran for Congress. She won. She became the first Black woman to
serve in this very body, a body that, let's be clear, wasn't exactly
rolling out the red carpet and still kind of doesn't.
Did that stop her? Absolutely not. She showed up, took her seat, and
if there wasn't a seat, Shirley brought her own folding chair, slammed
it down, and said: Let's get to work.
She made history. Along the way, she didn't just break the rules; she
rewrote them. She fought for civil rights, women's rights, and economic
justice. She did it all without ever compromising who she was or in
what she believed.
Shirley didn't come to Congress to blend in. She came to lead, to
challenge, and to remind the world that power belongs to those bold
enough to claim it.
And lead she did, fearlessly, unapologetically, and always with her
eyes on a better and more just future.
Her campaign slogan, Unbought and Unbossed, wasn't just a catchy
phrase; it was her truth. In a world that told her to ``wait your
turn,'' she declared: My turn is right now.
When she ran for President, she didn't just run to win. She ran to
pave the way for the rest of us. Her courage made it possible for
people like me, for people like all of us in CBC, to serve. Her voice
ensured that our voices would one day be heard. Her fierce advocacy for
women, Black Americans, and the marginalized taught us a vital lesson:
If they won't give you power, you take it.
In my office, where her portrait graces the walls, I am reminded
daily that it is not enough to be in the room. You must shake it. You
must demand justice. Most importantly, you must never let anyone tell
you to wait your turn.
As Shirley said: If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a
folding chair.
I thank Madam Shirley Chisholm. We got our chairs, and we are just
getting started.
Many of the women here shared their story. I don't have a story
because I am too young, but I will tell you, in my home, Shirley
Chisholm was a legend. To be in the same Chamber where she stood, where
she fought, where she won, where she declared that we deserve to be
here, it is an awesome experience and feeling every single time we are
here to know we have shared the same space with the great, the
legendary, the most powerful, Shirley Chisholm.
It is why her photos are on all of my walls in the office because I
want everyone, when they come to see me, I want them also to see her.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Shirley Chisholm for her honor, and we carry her
legacy forward: Unbought, unbossed, and unstoppable.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from Virginia (Ms. McClellan).
Ms. McCLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the incredible
life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm, whose 100th birthday we celebrated
over the weekend.
Unbought and unbossed, Shirley was the first Black woman to serve in
this body, a body that was not built for her. She swore an oath to
support and defend the U.S. Constitution, a document that did not
include her in we the people.
In the year of my birth, she became the first Black woman to run for
President of the United States. Her bravery and determination broke
barriers and paved the way for so many Black women in politics,
including myself, saying: ``If they don't give you a seat at the table,
bring a folding chair.''
As the first Black woman elected to represent the Commonwealth of
Virginia, elected 55 years after her historic election, I stand on her
shoulders.
Sometimes, sitting in my office, I look at her portrait that is also
on my wall and reflect on the fact that, in many ways, I and the other
31 Black Members of Congress today are fighting many of the same fights
that she fought. She had to fight them alone.
We fight to include women in the Constitution through the equal
rights amendment still today. We fight to feed the hungry through the
SNAP program still today. We fight to extend worker protections that
most people take for granted, like minimum wage for domestic workers,
still today. We fight those fights from a position of more power than
she could have dreamed of because of her.
She left us a legacy to build on. Today, the entire Congressional
Black Caucus, but especially the 32 women, are grateful to Shirley
Chisholm for her incredible service and countless contributions to our
Nation.
We will continue to build on the progress and momentum that Shirley
created until we no longer have to bring a folding chair, but the table
is big enough to include everyone touched by the policies we adopt in
this body.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman
from Texas (Mrs. Lee Carter), who is the daughter of Sheila Jackson
Lee, for the first time.
Mrs. LEE CARTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the
incredible legacy of an iconic American trailblazer and a tireless
advocate for justice, the Honorable Shirley Anita Chisholm.
I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, the gentleman from Illinois,
and, of course, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus for
hosting this Special Order hour in honor of this indelible and
phenomenal woman, one of many firsts.
I am so proud of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who shattered
barriers when she became the first Black woman elected to the United
States Congress in 1968. Her historic election wasn't just a victory
for her district. It was a victory for all of us, and I stand here with
humility, thinking that I am walking and standing in the same Chamber
in which she stood.
It was a powerful affirmation that the Halls of the most powerful
democracy should belong to everyone regardless of race, gender, or
background. She forged new pathways for Black women like me, my
daughter, and all those who came after her. She set a tone in politics
demanding inclusivity and diversity by unapologetically challenging
systemic racism, sexism, and corruption.
During her seven impactful terms in the U.S. House of
Representatives, she championed causes often overlooked by standing up
for marginalized communities, women, children, and the working class.
In 1972, when she broke yet another barrier, becoming the first Black
woman to seek the Presidential nomination of a major political party,
her bold and visionary candidacy challenged the status quo and
redefined what leadership in America could look like.
She was an incredible inspiration to my late mother, Congresswoman
Sheila Jackson Lee, and she was one of her
[[Page H6287]]
most revered sheroes. She spoke of her often.
Much like Chisholm, Congresswoman Jackson Lee worked tirelessly for
the people, advocating for her district's most pressing issues, from
education to healthcare, affordable housing, and job creation.
Mr. Speaker, I am so proud and look forward to supporting and voting
for the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, which will honor
her trailblazing career and outstanding contributions to our Nation
and, might I say, our world.
When asked about her own legacy, Chisholm once stated, ``I want to be
remembered as a woman . . . who dared to be a catalyst for change.''
Indeed, she was what she dared so boldly to be, and we are grateful
to her for that.
Today, I thank her for her courage, her strength, her resilience, and
her steadfast commitment to justice and fairness.
As a mother, former educator, and now Congresswoman myself, standing
in the very Halls she hailed, I give special thanks to her for always
standing up and speaking up for the power that we all possess.
Let us celebrate and honor her legacy by recommitting ourselves to be
catalysts for change, not only in our communities, but in this hallowed
Chamber and across our Nation.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time
remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Florida has 16 minutes
remaining.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in continuance of honoring the life and legacy of
Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, I wish to highlight her unflinching
devotion to the American people.
No matter how daunting it was or had seemed to onlookers to be the
first and only Black woman in Congress, Congresswoman Chisholm
rightfully earned the nickname ``Fighting Shirley'' for her
determination in empowering underserved communities.
She fought hard and fast for the least represented in the United
States, introduced over 50 pieces of legislation geared toward reviving
her constituents and the Nation's, and relieving them of injustice.
She was regarded as being deeply in touch with the Nation as she
advocated for policies that uplifted citizens out of poverty and
empowered them through job training and education. She advocated for
our veterans and introduced legislation to increase their benefits so
that those who served our country would not suffer from inflation.
Her determination to create a nation where every American could
succeed lives through us all. Let us continue to honor her legacy by
continuing the fight to deliver justice for the American people.
It is my honor to be here today serving in the CBC. Because of
Shirley Chisholm we women are here today. The CBC has over 31 women who
are in Congress today, increasing in the next Congress. We are here
today, each one of us, holding a piece of Shirley Chisholm, hoping to
actually fulfill her dream of one day pushing this Nation forward,
where all of our children and the American people can live together in
a city and in every nation where we have equality, justice, and a clear
education for everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson), my
co-chair.
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman from
the great State of Florida for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, the Honorable John James of the great State of Michigan,
it is my privilege and pleasure to stand before you today to speak on
behalf of the Honorable Shirley Chisholm, a woman who has come from
such depths to such heights that everyone should be reminded of her
greatness and the trail that she had to blaze. She had no path to find.
She had to, indeed, blaze a trail.
If you think about it, since 1789 to 1969, after 180 years, it was
the first time an African-American woman was able to be called a
Representative.
African-American women have been at the bedrock, the foundation, of
this Nation and oftentimes had gone without recognition. Think about
the indignities that women have experienced in the past and in the
present.
We are still fighting the same fights for dignity, for a woman to
have rights over her body.
Now, the corridors are filled with so many men who have had
transgressions against women. I thought those fights were behind us,
but we are still fighting for a woman to be believed in these same
corridors.
Think about it. It wasn't until 1993 that female Senators actually
had a place to give their bodies comfort because there was no restroom
off of the Senate floor. We have come a long way, but we have so much
further to go.
It was only in 2011, not that long ago, that they finally built
restrooms off of this House floor on the second floor so that women
could relieve their bodies.
We have a very long way to go to understanding the issues that they
face, the believability that they should be given the assumption of, as
now people are seeking nomination and are still being hurled with these
accusations because they won't give women a fair voice.
Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the lovely legacy of the Honorable
Shirley Chisholm. If you can imagine, being born in 1924 at the height
of lynching in the United States of America, but something did not put
out that burning fire inside of her soul that she would have the
audacity, the unmitigated gall, to want to be President of these United
States, to know that she, indeed, could serve. From that was a spark
that could not be quenched out, a flame that has lit so many other
women. I say thank God for her.
As we commemorate, as we hold aside a special time to remember a
woman who was a trailblazer, let's remember that she didn't follow a
path. There was no path for her to follow. She has since laid a path so
that so many others could matriculate and ascend to the height of their
full potential.
It is at this time, Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Congressman John
James, that I will turn this back over to my colleague, the Honorable
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, from the great State of Florida.
{time} 2015
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Jonathan Jackson for
that passionate speech.
Mr. Speaker, today we recognize Shirley Chisholm's tireless
commitment to justice and equal opportunity.
During her time in office, Congresswoman Chisholm consistently fought
against racial discrimination and systemic inequalities endured by all
African Americans. She was a vocal supporter of the Voting Rights Act
of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, working to create an America
where everyone could thrive regardless of race.
She was a trailblazer who fought for the inclusion of women and
African Americans in positions of power. Her election to Congress
inspired generations of Black women, showing them that they, too, could
hold public office.
Shirley Chisholm has a special place in my heart, being a Caribbean
woman born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, and later moved to Florida.
Seeing her do that inspired all women to know that was possible. Today
in Congress, we proudly stand 31 strong Black women, and we are about
to welcome the highest number of Black women in history for the 119th
Congress.
Congresswoman Chisholm advocated for economic opportunities for
marginalized communities, believing economic mobility was key for
empowering African Americans and building a strong America. Her
tireless commitment to underserved communities is still inspiring
today.
As we honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, we must continue to
uphold her values and strive to create the America she envisioned.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to add another
dimension to this discussion regarding Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.
Her parents were from the Caribbean. Her father was from Guyana and her
mother was from Barbados. Congresswoman Chisholm grew up in Barbados,
even though she was born in New York.
She had a very profound world view. She understood we all were
connected to each other. Very recently, in honor
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of her 100th birthday, for the very first time an American's portrait
was unveiled in the Parliament of Barbados. This is a significant
historical fact for all of us to remember.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman again for giving us a chance to
lift her spirit up tonight. I wish a happy heavenly 100th birthday to
Shirley Chisholm.
Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, before we close, I once again
recognize Barbara Lee for all her hard work in Congress. It is so
fitting that we celebrate 100 years of Shirley Chisholm and have
Barbara Lee with us. She will be sorely missed. I know Shirley Chisholm
is looking down right now and is so proud of Barbara.
Because of Barbara Lee and her mentorship, we have a sisterhood in
Congress with the CBC women, a sisterhood, a bond that can't be broken.
I thank Barbara Lee for her mentorship, her sisterhood, for everything
she has done.
I can't help but think that Shirley Chisholm is looking down at all
of us and saying how proud she is that we have gotten here. We have a
lot of work to do. What she started has to be finished, I hope by our
generation, by working together and all of us recognizing her hard work
on both sides.
Mr. Speaker, you have heard from my distinguished colleagues about
Ms. Shirley Chisholm, all issues of great importance to the
Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, Congress, and all
Americans.
I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________