Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Dorothy Height.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 357) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Dorothy Height.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise this afternoon in support of House Concurrent Resolution 357. This is a resolution authorizing again the use of the rotunda for a ceremony which will be conducted on March 24 honoring Dr. Dorothy Height. Dorothy Height will receive a great honor of the United States Congress when she is awarded in that ceremony the Congressional Gold Medal.

Mr. Speaker, as we just authorized the use of the rotunda for a different ceremony, and that particular ceremony and the previous action for a memorial service, this is a service of celebration and also of the life of a distinguished American, Dr. Dorothy Height.

This is a service of celebration and also of the life of the distinguished American, Dr. Dorothy Height. On December 6, 2003, the resolution awarding Dr. Dorothy Height the Congressional Gold medal became public law. That is the purpose for our requesting a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda; and, of course, as I said before, we need permission of the House and the other body to conduct this ceremony.

I want to talk a little bit about Dorothy Height and tell a little bit about her history. She is an outstanding American and truly deserving of this great honor.

Dorothy Height was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1912. At an early age she moved with her family to Rankin, Pennsylvania. While in high school, Dorothy Height was awarded a scholarship to New York University where she studied and earned a master's degree. At a very early age she established herself as a dedicated student with exceptional oratorical skills.

After graduating from New York University, Dr. Height began her career working as a case worker with the New York City Welfare Department. At the age of 25, she began her journey as a civil rights activist when she joined the National Council of Negro Women. In 1957, Dr. Height was named president of the council, a position which she held until 1977.

During the height of the civil rights movement in the late 1960s, Dorothy organized Weekdays in Mississippi, which brought together black and white women from the North and the South to create a dialogue of mutual understanding.

Throughout her life, Dr. Height fought for equal rights for both African Americans and also for women. And in 1944 she joined the national staff of the Young Women's Christian Association, the YWCA. She remained active with the organization until 1977. During her tenure at the YWCA, she developed leadership training and other programs and other projects promoting racial and religious tolerance and understanding.

Dr. Height has served our Nation in a number of different capacities during her distinguished career, including as a consultant on African Affairs to the Secretary of State, also as a member of both the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped and on the President's Committee on the Status of Women. Her tireless efforts for equal rights have earned her the praise and recognition of numerous organizations as well. She has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Freedom From Want Award, and the NAACP Springarn Medal and now the Congressional Gold Medal. Dr. Height has also been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Dr. Height's work has helped countless women in America and around the world participate in democratic reform resulting in new opportunities for themselves, for their families, and their communities.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, if you ever had a chance to hear or see Dorothy Height, you had an opportunity to see one of the most distinguished advocates for women, an advocate for minorities that has ever been in our country's history.

If you have not seen Dr. Dorothy Height, you missed the glow in her eyes, you missed the sparkle in her voice, you missed the strength of an individual who has gone beyond so many barriers in her life, again, opening doors and offering opportunities to women, to minorities, and to all Americans.

I am a strong admirer of this lady and what she has done. I know a former Member of the House, Connie Morella, often talked about Dr. Height and her accomplishments; and others will come forward when we pass this resolution to honor her accomplishments. So I am absolutely delighted this afternoon to be here to offer this resolution to authorize the use of the Capitol rotunda where we will present this distinguished medal to a great American, Dr. Dorothy Height.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to again support this resolution that I think is somewhat overdue to present and conduct this ceremony for the presentation of the gold medal for Dr. Dorothy Height.

Dr. Dorothy Height, as I said, is a delightful lady. She just celebrated, I am told, her 91st birthday just some 2 weeks ago. She has an incredible career that has spanned nearly this century, and she has a public career that spans over 65 years. She unquestionably has been recognized as one of the preeminent social and civil rights activist of our time. In fact, Dorothy Height, I am told, was the only female at the table when Dr. Martin Luther King planned the civil rights movement.

She has all her life struggled for equality, for social justice and for human rights for all people.

Mr. Speaker, when young people need role models, and certainly in the time that we live in they need role models, we have had two women so honored. Soon Dorothy Height will receive this honor. The other I remember is Rosa Parks since I have been in Congress. She was awarded a gold medal, and certainly Dorothy Height is in the same category and deserving of recognition of this honor by Congress.

So I think, whether it is Rosa Parks who changed the course of history in this country or someone who worked tirelessly through their life and has an incredibly distinguished career, as we heard, promoting the rights of all individuals, women and minorities in our society, that we take this time to honor her in this ceremony in March. I urge the passage of this resolution.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of America's great citizens--Dr. Dorothy Height.

For more than six decades, Dorothy Height has tirelessly fought for those who are less fortunate, for those who have been denied access to an education, and for those who have been denied equal rights. Both through personal example and her commitment to social equality, Dorothy Height has provided women and minorities with hope to dream and the tools to realize their potential.

During the civil rights movement, Dorothy Height led the fight for inter-racial schooling, and spearheaded African American voter registration drives. She worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, A. Philip Randolph, and others as they developed plans for obtaining civil rights. It should be noted that she was the only woman allowed to be present in several high-powered strategy sessions with those great leaders.

Dorothy Height was an advocate for women's rights during a time when few African American women were engaged in the feminist movement. She fought tirelessly to implement her vision of full and equal employment, fair pay, and access to education for all women.

In addition to her work for equality in the United States, Dr. Dorothy Height has been a leader in the struggle for international human rights. In 1975 she helped establish the sole African-American private voluntary organization working in Africa. She has improved the quality of life for women in developing countries, and has worked to combat the AIDS crisis in Africa.

A Congressional Medal of Honor is well deserved, and one of many honors earned by Dr. Dorothy Height over her long and distinguished career. I am very pleased to join my colleagues in the House in marking this honor for an individual who dedicated her life to the struggle for social equality and justice.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this legislation that honors and salutes a giant and to acknowledge my good friend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) for her leadership and insight on an effort long overdue.

We have all truly been blessed with Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, born on March 24, 1912 in Richmond, Virginia and raised in Rankin, Pennsylvania. Many of us have had the fortunate opportunity to study Dr. Height's personal and professional history and her numerous contributions-which are extensive, as she has given the greater part of her life to the service of others. Therefore, some might describe her as an activist for social justice and civil rights, a servant of the people, one who has served a number of Presidents, a humanitarian, an American hero, and a patriot, to name a few. The above-mentioned titles are merely words but are given color and meaning when one actually meets the acquaintance of Dr. Dorothy Height. Her charm, energy, insight, intellect, wisdom, and her compassion easily captivate others. I am honored to have had the opportunity, among others, to share in her vision. It is wonderful to know that she can speak eloquently about Mary McLeod Bethune, that she can speak to the concept of ownership for African American people, having led the effort to erect the first African American-owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue just two blocks away from the White House. She believes in women's rights and the economic empowerment of minorities and is a strong, passionate activist for these causes.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to be here today because our words are simply that, simple words, mere words. But if our presence on the floor today commemorates the honor that is being given to Dr. Dorothy Height under the leadership of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), I urge my colleagues to join us in acting to honor and salute this great leader. Dr. Height, we love you.

Dorothy Height's lifetime of achievement measures the liberation of Black America, the advance of women's rights, and a determined effort to lift the poor and the powerless into the Halls of Power and influence in our Nation. She began her career as a staff member of

the YWCA in New York City, becoming director of the Center for Racial Justice. She became a volunteer with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), where she worked with its founder, Mary McLeod Bethune.

When Bethune died, Height became president, a position she continues to hold. NCNW, an organization of national organizations and community sections with outreach to four million women, develops model national and international community-based programs, sent scores of women to help in the Freedom Schools of the civil rights movement, and spearheaded voter registration drives. Height's collaborative leadership style brings together people of different cultures for mutual benefit.

Because of Dorothy Height's commitment to the ``Black family,'' she has hosted the Black Family Reunion Celebration since 1986, in which almost 10 million have participated. As stated above, Dr. Height was born in Richmond, Virginia, and moved with her parents to Ranklin, Pennsylvania at an early age. Winner of a scholarship for her exceptional oratorical skills, she entered New York University where she earned the Bachelor and Master degrees in 4 years.

While working as a caseworker for the welfare department in New York, Dr. Height joined the NCNW in 1937 and her career as a pioneer in civil rights activities began to unfold. She served on the national staff of the YWCA of USA from 1944 to 1977 where she was active in developing its leadership training and interracial and ecumenical education programs. In 1965 she inaugurated the Center for Racial Justice which is still a major initiative of the National YWCA. She served as the 10th national president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., from 1946 to 1957 before becoming president of the NCNW in 1958.

Working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, A. Philip Randolph and others, Dr. Height participated in virtually all major civil and human rights events in the 1950's and 1960's. For her tireless efforts on behalf of the less fortunate, President Ronald Reagan presented her the Citizens Medal Award for distinguished service to the country in 1989.

Dr. Height is known for her extensive international and developmental education work. She initiated the sole African American private voluntary organization working in Africa in 1975, building on the success of NCNW's assignments in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.

In three decades of national leadership, she has served on major policy-making bodies affecting women, social welfare, economic development, and civil and human rights, and has received numerous appointments and awards. As president of NCNW, Dorothy Irene Height has an outstanding record of accomplishments. As a self-help advocate, she has been instrumental in the initiation of NCNW sponsored food, child care, housing and career educational programs that embody the principles of self-reliance. As a promotor of Black family life she conceived and organized the Black Family Reunion Celebration in 1986 to reinforce the historic strengths and traditional values of the African American Family. Now in its ninth year, this multi-city cultural event has attracted some 11.5 million people.

Dr. Height's lifetime of achievement measures the liberation of Black America, the brilliant advance of women's rights, and the most determined effort to lift up the poor and the powerless. Still fighting, pushing, and advocating, Dr. Dorothy Height--mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, doctor, civil/human rights activist, and freedom fighter continues unrelentingly to serve our country in the health and most meaningfully--the civil arena at the age of 91.

Dr. Height is a commendable and formidable woman. She has whole- heartedly devoted her life to public service, struggling for social justice, the eradication and education of HIV/AIDS, unprivileged children, equal rights, voting rights, women's rights, and education opportunities for all citizens irrespective of color, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality and other markers of difference.

She as the leading lady in the civil rights movement, sitting as the only female on the planning table with Whitney Young, Dr. Martin Luther King, James Farmer, A. Phillip Randolph, and Roy Wilkins. She has been and continues to be emulated internationally. Needless to say, Dr. Height is a jewel in the African American community and an influential and exemplary leader in the country.

Many examples of her work stand out in our minds. To give just one-- under her leadership of the National Negro Women's Council, she introduced and implemented many initiatives and programs geared towards the betterment of the Afro-American community, the advancement of minority women in all sectors of society, most notably, in business and non-traditional careers. Serving in all capacities imaginable, she has served distinguishably.

Dream giver and earth shaker, Dr. Dorothy Height has followed and expanded on the original purpose of the National Council of Negro Women, giving new meaning, new courage and pride to women, youth and families everywhere. While most individuals resolve to retirement at her current age, Dr. Dorothy Height continues to extend and commit herself beyond measures; she has done so not for recognition or national esteem, but as a labor of love. For the above-mentioned reasons, it is our rightful duty to honor her in recognition of her many priceless contributions to the civil growth of this nation and the beautiful legacy she will leave by awarding her a congressional gold medal.

For the above reasons, Mr. Speaker, I support H. Con. Res. 357.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of pride that I stand before this chamber as we act on legislation that moves us one step closer to awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Dorothy Height.

Two months have passed since the bill bestowing this great honor upon Ms. Height (H.R. 1821) was signed into public law. Now, during the celebration of Black History, I can think of no better time to put the proper procedures in place for Dr. Height to receive her award on March 24, 2004. I can also think of no better place to bestow this award on Dr. Height than in the Capitol rotunda's Statuary Hall--a place that memorializes the giants of our country. I think Dr. Height is a giant in her own right and apparently many people in our country agree.

Who would have imagined some 90 years ago that the daughter of James Edward Height and Fannie (Borroughs) Height of Richmond, Virginia would one day be receiving the Nation's highest civilian honor.

Born in 1912 in Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height distinguished herself at an early age as a dedicated student with exceptional oratorical skills. As a young girl she fearlessly and vehemently stood up to the racist and sexist climate of the times. At the age of 25 she heeded the call of her mentor, Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of the National Council of Negro Women, and joined the struggle for women's full and equal employment and educational advancement. She has and continues to dedicate her life to the struggle for equality, social justice, and human rights for all peoples.

Mr. Speaker, throughout her illustrious career as a civil rights advocate, Dr. Height tirelessly worked to prevent lynching, encourage voter registration, desegregate the armed forces, reform the criminal justice system, and create equal access to public accommodations.

And a long career it has been. In fact, her public career spans 65 years. She was a valued advisor to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and encouraged Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson to desegregate the Nation's public schools and to appoint African American women to sub- Cabinet positions. Since 1957,

she has served as President of the National Council of Negro Women, an umbrella organization for 250 local groups and 38 national organizations dedicated to economic development and women's issues.

Mr. Speaker, the numerous awards and accolades Dr. Height has received over the years is a testimony to her invaluable contributions to the progress of this Nation. The NAACP has awarded her The Spingarn Award, its highest honor. She is also the proud recipient of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Award from the National Council of Jewish Women; the Ministerial Interfaith Association Award; the Lovejoy Award; and the Congressional Black Caucus's William L. Dawson Award for her decades of public service to people of color and particularly women. However, Dr. Height is not one to rest on her laurels. She continues to lead the fight against social injustice and inequality. Her profound love for our youth is unmatched. As a direct link to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Dr. Height continues to inspire future generations of civil rights activists.

What is truly remarkable about this grand dame is that at age 90 she does not plan on slowing down. And although she spends much of her time in a wheelchair, she continues to stand up for equality and social justice.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I am proud to stand before this body as we move ever closer to bestowing upon Dr. Dorothy Height our Nation's highest civilian honor.

I want to thank my colleagues from the House Administration Committee, Mr. Larson and Mr. Ney for setting the procedural stage to allow this great ceremony to take place in the Capitol rotunda. I especially thank my friend, Diane Watson for sponsoring this legislation as well as for sponsoring the original legislation honoring Dr. Height that passed in the House.

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a great honor to rise before this body as a strong supporter of the H. Con. Res. 357.

I first want to thank my distinguished colleague, Ms. Watson for her diligent work on this resolution. And I also wish her a speedy recovery.

Mr. Speaker, it is because of people like Dorothy Height that we can all enjoy the freedom that America bestows upon her people. Ms. Height is a pioneer and trail-blazer. Like other pioneers, both celebrated and unknown, she has opened the doors of opportunity to all, making America the free country it is today.

From the very beginning, Dorothy Height was a crusader. During the depths of the Great Depression she managed to do something very few of her contemporaries were able to accomplish.

She knew that education was a key to making one's way in the world and the way to enlighten the path for others. She graduated from New York University with a bachelors and a master's degree in Education in 1933.

Immediately afterward, she launched a career in civil rights. She has remained on the battlefield for six decades. Her first venue for advocating the rights of others was the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). Here she led an advocacy movement aimed at improving conditions for black domestic workers.

Within the YWCA, she worked to integrate an organization that still had separate facilities for blacks and whites. Because of her determined and dogged efforts, women of all racial backgrounds could use the same facilities with the same privileges.

Her leadership at the national level resulted in the YWCA adopting an interracial charter in 1946 that called on the organization and its members to stand against racial injustice in the United States.

After her work with the YWCA, Ms. Height became president of the National Council of Negro Women. She steered the organization through the civil rights struggle of the 1960's.

She helped organize voter registration in the South, at a time when it was dangerous and nearly impossible to be an African-American voter below the Mason-Dixon line.

Ms. Height also organized voter education programs and scholarship programs for student civil rights workers.

In 1970 Dorothy Height expanded the goals of the NCNW to encompass vocational training and assist women in opening businesses, forms of education that were not readily available to women at the time.

Since then, Dorothy Height has served as a social services expert on local, state, and federal governmental committees concerned with women's issues. She has also led numerous campaigns for the war on drugs, encouraging youngsters to take advantage of education and vocational training.

Mr. Speaker, in 1996, the United States Government recognized Dorothy Height's achievements with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, to join my friend, the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Watson, in support of this most appropriate use of the rotunda of the Capitol of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I again would like to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), who is eloquent and noteworthy in his praise. This has been a historic afternoon in so many respects, pausing to honor the works of Glenn Brown in the historic writings as they relate to this great Capitol facility, pausing to reflect and remember and reserve the great rotunda to participate in the Days of Remembrance with regard to the Holocaust, and now to step forward and pay homage and honor a living legend.

I urge all Members to join all of us in supporting the distinguished chairman's motion. There can be no more appropriate use of the Capitol rotunda than for a ceremony to honor Dr. Dorothy Irene Height for a lifetime of achievement of social equality and justice.

The author of the original legislation, our distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), could not be here today, but deserves credit for having had the persistency to make sure that not only would Dr. Height receive the gold medal, but also that we would, as this Congress is required, reserve the rotunda for this great ceremony.

It is important for me today to note that Dr. Height is in my home State of Connecticut at a book signing as I speak. I am pleased that the appropriate ceremony will be approaching next month.

Congress reserves its highest civilian honor for men and women whose contributions to American society exemplify the highest traditions and ideals of public service. By every measure, Dr. Dorothy Height's lifelong commitment to the principles of freedom, equality, and social justice compels this award.

Beginning during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt and continuing to the present day, Dorothy Height has fought to promote human and civil rights throughout our society. For decades she has worked tirelessly to promote the appointment of qualified women to senior Federal positions. As president of the National Council of Negro Women since 1957, Dr. Height has been an especially forceful advocate for the advancement of African Americans. In addition, and on a personal note, I would like to acknowledge the work of Mrs. Mary A. Ballard, who

leads the Hartford section of the National Council of Negro Women in my home district.

Mr. Speaker, as Congress recognized last year, there is no doubt that America is a far better place thanks to the labor and commitment of Dr. Dorothy Height on behalf of not only those among us who face the burdens of injustice but all of us. She deserves great credit. The use of the Capitol rotunda to award the gold medal to Dorothy Height is not only fitting; it is required and long overdue.

I urges all Members to join in supporting the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.