April 20, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E811 HONORING FORMER DOROTHY IRENE HEIGHT, CHAIR rise above the limitations of race and sex. She HAROLD E. STASSEN AND PRESIDENT EMERITA, NA- rose quickly through the ranks of the YWCA, TIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO from working at the Emma Ransom House in HON. JIM RAMSTAD WOMEN Harlem to the Executive Directorship of the OF MINNESOTA Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in Washington, DC, to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE the YWCA National Headquarters office. For 33 years, from 1944 through 1977, OF TEXAS Friday, April 20, 2007 Dorothy Height served on the staff of the Na- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, , tional Board of the YWCA and held several 2007, marked the 100th anniversary of the Friday, April 20, 2007 leadership positions in public affairs and lead- birth of former Minnesota Governor Harold E. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam ership training and as Director of the National Stassen. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a national YWCA School for Professional Workers. In I rise to pay tribute to the life of this remark- treasure and American icon on the occasion of 1965, she was named Director of the Center able Minnesotan and true patriot, who dedi- her 95th birthday. I am speaking, of course, of for Racial Justice, a position she held until her cated his life to serving our country. the incomparable, irrepressible, and legendary retirement. Born on a farm in St. Paul, Minnesota, Dorothy Irene Height. For more than half a In 1952, Dorothy Height lived in , graduated from law school century, Dorothy Irene Height has played a where she worked as a visiting professor in and earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in leading role in the never ending struggle for the Delhi School of Social Work at the Univer- the ROTC by the age of 21. At just 22, he was equality and human rights here at home and sity of Delhi, which was founded by the elected Dakota County attorney, a position he around the world. Her life exemplifies her pas- of India, Burma and Ceylon. She held for 9 years. sionate commitment for a just society and her would become renowned for her internation- In 1938, Harold Stassen was elected Gov- vision of a better world. alism and humanitarianism. She traveled ernor of Minnesota, taking office at the age of Dorothy Height was born in Richmond, VA, around the world expanding the work of the 31. He was the youngest person ever elected on 24, 1912, and educated in the public YWCA. She conducted a well-received study governor of any state, a distinction that lasts schools of Rankin, PA, a borough of Pitts- of the training of women’s organizations in five to this day. During his tenure, Harold Stassen burgh, where her family moved when she was African countries: Liberia, Ghana, Guinea, Si- was a visionary and creative leader. four. She established herself early as a dedi- erra Leone, and Nigeria under the Committee In his 1942 campaign for reelection, Gov- cated student with exceptional oratorical skills. of Correspondence. ernor Stassen said that if he was reelected, he After winning a $1,000 scholarship in a na- Dorothy Height loved and led her sorority, would resign after the legislative session to tional oratorical contest on the . She was elected National join the U.S. Navy, saying, ‘‘Our boys are Constitution, sponsored by the Fraternal Order President of the sorority in 1947 and served in fighting for the right of freedom, and I want to of the Elks, and compiling a distinguished aca- that capacity until 1956. She led the sorority to be with them.’’ demic record, she enrolled in Uni- a new level of organizational development, ini- As promised, following the 1943 legislative versity where she earned both her bachelor tiation eligibility, and social action throughout her term. Her leadership training skills, social session he resigned as governor and joined and master’s degrees in just 4 years. She work background and knowledge of vol- the U.S. Navy on the Battleship USS Missouri continued her postgraduate studies at Colum- unteerism benefited the sorority as it moved in the Third Pacific Fleet. He was awarded bia University and the New York School of So- into a new era of activism on the national and three battle stars, led the Navy’s POW evacu- cial Work. international scene. ation program in Japan and was on duty on In 1933, Dorothy Height joined the United In 1957, Dorothy Height was elected the the main deck of the Missouri when the mes- Christian Youth Movement of North America fourth National President of NCNW and sage came that the Japanese had surren- where her leadership qualities earned her the served in that position for 40 years, when she dered. In fact, he entered the receipt of that trust and confidence of her peers. It was dur- became Chair of the Board and President historic message in the USS Missouri’s log ing this period that she began to emerge as Emerita. book. an effective civil rights advocate as she In 1960, Dorothy Height was the woman In February of 1945, President Roosevelt worked to prevent lynching, desegregate the team member leader in the United Civil Rights named Harold Stassen as one of eight mem- armed forces, reform the criminal justice sys- Leadership along with Martin Luther King, Jr., bers of the American delegation to the Found- tem, and provide free access to public accom- Whitney H. Young, A. Philip Randolph, James ing Conference of the in San modations. In 1935, Dorothy Height was ap- Farmer, and . In 1961, Francisco, where he was later named one of pointed by New York government officials to while Dorothy Height was participating in the two most influential people in drafting the deal with the aftermath of the Harlem riot of major Civil Rights leadership, she led NCNW United Nations Charter. 1935. to deal with unmet needs among women and Stassen later played a key role in con- As Vice President of the United Christian their families to combat hunger, develop coop- vincing Dwight D. Eisenhower to run for the Youth Movement of North America, Dorothy erative pig banks, and provided families with Republican nomination for President. Upon his Height was one of only ten American youth community freezers and showers. election, Eisenhower appointed Stassen Direc- delegates to the 1937 World Conference on In 1964, after the passage of the Civil tor of Mutual Security, which carried a Cabinet Life and Work of the Churches held in Oxford, Rights Act, Dorothy Height with Polly Cowan, rank and included all foreign operations, for- England. Two years later she was selected to an NCNW Board Member, organized teams of eign aid, relief, military and assistance pro- represent the YWCA at the World Conference women of different races and faiths as grams, distribution of arms and technical and of Christian Youth in Amsterdam, Holland. ‘‘Wednesdays in Mississippi’’ to assist in the educational assistance. It was in 1937, while serving as Assistant and open communication be- As a member of President Eisenhower’s Executive Director of the Harlem YWCA, that tween women of different races. The work- Cabinet, Stassen was also active in imple- Dorothy Height met Mary McLeod Bethune, shops which followed stressed the need for menting the 1955 Geneva Summit, for which founder and president of the National Council decent housing which became the basis for he drafted the Arms Limitation and ‘‘Open of Negro Women (NCNW). Mrs. Bethune was NCNW in partnership with the Department of Skies’’ proposals initiated by GEN James Doo- immediately impressed with young Dorothy Housing and Urban Development to develop little and presented by President Eisenhower Height’s poise and intelligence and invited her Turnkey III Home Ownership for low-income at the summit. Having experienced first-hand to join the NCNW and assist in the quest for families in Gulfport, MS. the horror of war, Stassen spent the remain- women’s rights to full and equal employment, In 1970, Dorothy Height directed the series der of his political and public life working for pay and education. of activities culminating in the YWCA Conven- world peace. In 1938, Dorothy Height was one of ten tion adopting as its ‘‘One Imperative’’ to the Harold E. Stassen dedicated his life to serv- young Americans invited by elimination of racism. That same year she also ing our country, both in the armed forces and to Hyde Park, NY, to help plan and prepare established the Women’s Center for Education as a public servant and elected official. The for the World Youth Conference to be held at and Career Advancement in to country is grateful for his meritorious contribu- Vassar College. prepare women for entry-level jobs. This expe- tion to the security and national interests of For the next several years, Dorothy Height rience led her in 1975 to collaborate with Pace the United States and his long legacy of public served in a dual role: as a YWCA staff mem- College to establish a course of study leading service. He died 40 days short of turning 95, ber and NCNW volunteer, integrating her train- to the Associate Degree for Professional Stud- on , 2002. ing as a social worker and her commitment to ies (AAPS).

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:21 May 14, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORD07\E20AP7.REC E20AP7 mmaher on PROD1PC69 with CONG-REC-ONLINE E812 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 20, 2007 In 1975, Dorothy Height participated in the NCNW the premier organization in advocating National Nurse Recognition Week. From Flor- Tribunal at the International Women’s Year for the health, education and economic em- ence Nightingale, to , to the un- Conference of the United Nations in Mexico powerment for all women of African descent sung heroes of today, the nurses of this coun- City. As a result of this experience, NCNW around the world. try have provided invaluable service in times was awarded a grant from the United States Thank you, Dorothy Height, for your service of peace and of war. Providing comfort to the Agency for International Development (USAID) to our Nation. You have made America a bet- elderly, the sick, and the dying is a, noble yet to hold a conference within the conference for ter place for all persons of all races, religions, all too often thankless task. It is for this reason women from the United States, African coun- and backgrounds. You have mentored hun- that we take this week in May to honor the ex- tries, South America, Mexico and the Carib- dreds, been a role model to thousands, and a traordinary contributions of nurses to society. bean. This was followed with a site visit with hero to millions. You are an American original. On March 30, 1981 President Ronald 50 of the women to visit with rural women in I am glad to count you as a friend. Reagan was shot in the chest outside the Hil- Mississippi. Under the auspices of the USAID, f ton Hotel in Washington, D.C. He was then Dorothy Height lectured in South Africa after rushed to the George Washington University addressing the National Convention of the HONORING FRANK KRUESI Hospital. When recounting his experience, Black Women’s Federation of South Africa President Reagan often spoke of a nurse who near Johannesburg (1977). Since 1986, she HON. RAHM EMANUEL held his hand as he was taken into surgery. has worked tirelessly to strengthen the Black OF ILLINOIS This simple act by an unknown woman com- family. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES forted the President during his time of pain Madam Speaker, under the leadership of Friday, April 20, 2007 and fear. Almost a year later, President Dorothy Height: NCNW achieved tax-exempt Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise Reagan proclaimed that National Recognition status in 1966; NCNW dedicated the statue of today to recognize the long and distinguished Day for Nurses would be observed on May 6. Mary McLeod Bethune in Lincoln Park, Wash- career of my friend, Frank Kruesi. After 9 Since then, the recognition has been ex- ington DC in 1974—the first woman to be so years of dedicated service, Kruesi is retiring panded to a weeklong celebration. honored on public land in the Nation’s Capital; as President of the Chicago Transit Authority With over 2.7 million registered nurses in developed model national and community- (CTA). this country, nursing is the largest health care based programs ranging from teenage par- Prior to his service at the CTA, Mr. Kruesi profession. These men and women administer enting to pig ‘‘banks’’—which addressed hun- served as Chief Policy Officer for the City of care, with profound compassion, in homes, ger in rural areas; established the Bethune Chicago for Mayor Richard M. Daley. He also hospitals, and schools across the nation. The Museum and Archives for Black Women, the served as the Executive Officer of the Cook theme of this year’s National Nurses Week is, first institution devoted to black women’s his- County State’s Attorney’s Office and was the fittingly, ‘‘Nursing . . . profession and a pas- tory; established the Bethune Council House legislative assistant to then-Senator Richard sion.’’ When Americans fall ill, it is the nurse as a national historic site; transformed NCNW M. Daley in the Illinois General Assembly, who tends to their daily needs and provides into an issue-oriented political organization, where he focused on mental disabilities, comfort in times of uncertainty and pain. I sponsoring ‘‘Wednesdays in Mississippi’’ when human services, and juvenile justice legislative want to take this opportunity to thank our na- interracial groups of women would help out at initiatives. tion’s nurses for their commitment to the serv- Freedom Schools organizing voter registration Mr. Kruesi’s more than 30 years of public ice of others. drives in the South and fostering communica- service have included service at every level of f tions between black and white women; and government including serving as Assistant established the Black Family Reunion Cele- HONORING THE MEMORY OF Secretary for Transportation Policy in the JOSEPH KEANE bration in 1986 to reinforce the historic United States Department of Transportation strengths and traditional values of the black under President Clinton. In that post, he ad- family. vised two Secretaries of Transportation and HON. BRIAN HIGGINS Among the major awards bestowed upon developed policy initiatives in all forms of OF NEW YORK Dorothy Irene Height in gratitude and appre- transportation. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ciation for her service to our Nation and the Throughout his career, Frank Krusei has Friday, April 20, 2007 world are the following: Presidential Medal of overseen numerous achievements met by the Freedom presented by President ; Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today CTA. Under Mr. Kruesi’s leadership, CTA has Congressional Gold Medal presented by Presi- to honor the memory of a dear friend Joseph made service improvements on two-thirds of dent George W. Bush; John F. Kennedy Me- ‘‘Joey’’ Keane, a man who inspired countless its bus routes and on all, its rail routes. A total morial Award; NAACP—; Ha- people in my hometown of South Buffalo of 281 bus of service improvements have dassah Myrtle Wreath of Achievement; Min- through his example, strength of character, been implemented which include 25 new bus isterial Interfaith Association Award; Ladies and spirit. routes, expanded hours of service, added trips Home Journal—Woman of the Year; Congres- Joey Keanes life was filled with many bless- to reduce wait time, and route changes to im- sional Black Caucus—Decades of Service; ings. He was blessed with an extraordinary prove access and connectivity. family; his parents Richard and Catherine President —Citizens Medal; Innovative programs such as U–Pass, a Keane embraced him with love and care as Franklin Roosevelt—Freedom Medal; Essence program of discounted passes for college stu- they did all of their children, his 15 siblings, 7 Award; and the Camille Cosby World of Chil- dents, have also been implemented during Mr. sisters and 8 brothers, enriched his life with dren Award. Kruesi’s tenure. The program is the largest of Dorothy Height was also elected to the Na- love, laughter, and respect, and the Seneca its kind in the Nation, with 76,000 students at tional Women’s Hall of Fame and is the recipi- Street neighborhood that was his home and 33 area colleges participating. the place where he was beloved by neighbors, ent of 36 honorary degrees from colleges and Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth Con- family friends, and business owners alike. universities as diverse as: Tuskegee Univer- gressional District of Illinois, I congratulate The Keanes are a politically prominent fam- sity, Harvard University, Spelman College, Frank Kruesi on his long career and thank him ily in Buffalo, NY. Joey’s brothers Dick & Jim Princeton University, Bennett College, Pace for his service to the City of Chicago. I wish were elected to public office, his brother Neil University, Lincoln University, Columbia Uni- him the best of luck in all his future endeav- served as Fire Commissioner but many would versity, Howard University, New York Univer- ors. sity, Morehouse College, and Meharry Medical argue that Joey was the best politician of them College. f all. Madam Speaker, Dorothy Height has wit- IN RECOGNITION OF OUR NATION’S His brother Jim explained Joey and the im- nessed or participated in virtually every major NURSES pact he has had on others best when he said, movement for social and political change in ‘‘Joey’s taught us a lot of lessons, and he’s the last century. For nearly 75 years, Dorothy HON. DOUG LAMBORN taught us the lighter side of life. I think Joey Height has fought for the equality and human OF COLORADO has made it easier for all of us to laugh at our- rights of all people. She was the only female IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES selves. That’s part of the Joey Keane mys- member of the ‘‘Big 6’’ civil rights leaders tique. You learn humility and how to laugh at (, Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Mar- Friday, April 20, 2007 yourself from the Joey Keanes of the world.’’ tin Luther King, Jr., , and Roy Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my Wilkins). Her vision and dedication made today to pay tribute to America’s nurses during deepest condolences to the entire Keane

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