[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ELEANOR SLATER

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Eleanor Slater, 
an extraordinary woman and leader who did so much for the State of 
Rhode Island and the country. Her passing is a great loss to her family 
and to Rhode Islanders. Not only did I have the privilege of knowing 
her throughout my political life, she was an ally, a mentor, an 
exemplar, and trustworthy friend.
  Born in 1908, Eleanor entered the political arena by winning election 
to the Rhode Island General Assembly at the spry age of 50. During the 
career that followed, she was widely known for fighting for the 
individuals and causes that are so often marginalized by our society. 
One of her greatest contributions, and there were many in her political 
career, was passage in the Rhode Island General Assembly of the 
Nation's very first fair housing legislation. The Slater Act of 1968 
made it illegal to discriminate when selling or renting real estate 
property. This sorely needed law, which she had long championed to help 
bring greater equality to housing in Rhode Island, set a precedent for 
the entire country.
  Her determination remained a key characteristic throughout her 
political career. As a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National 
Convention in Chicago, Eleanor refused to succumb to the pressures of 
her peers to support President Johnson's strategy for the Vietnam War. 
She held steadfastly to her own opposing point of view and never 
compromised her values or beliefs.
  Eleanor joined the political fray at a time when women were largely 
left out of the inner political processes, and she is credited with 
getting women involved in Democratic politics in Rhode Island. As a 
standout member of a predominately male legislature, she actively 
encouraged other woman to run for political office and became the vice 
chairwoman of the Democratic State Committee in 1958.
  Upon leaving the Rhode Island State Senate, she served as the first 
chief of the Division of Aging. Then, recognizing the importance of 
education, she fulfilled her longtime goal and desire of completing her 
studies, obtaining a bachelor's degree in political science at age 70 
from the University of Rhode Island, URI. She continued to contribute 
to the community as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer on aging at 
URI, receiving an honorary Ph.D. in 1980.
  So today I honor Rhode Islander Eleanor Slater for her lifetime of 
passion and commitment, and I thank her for her friendship and 
inspiration. She will be sorely missed by those who knew her and those 
that have benefited from her unwavering efforts.

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