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EXTENSIONS of REMARKS, Vol December 13, 2007 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 25 34377 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS RECOGNIZING ALEXANDER KEITH paid to Norma Becker during her memorial understand what Norma was saying when she HANSEN FOR ACHIEVING THE service. wasn’t talking at all: when she just looked— or smiled—or laughed—or cried or RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT TRIBUTES TO NORMA BECKER grimaced—or shrugged. NORMA BECKER: A TRIBUTE AND CELEBRATION Norma was a very careful listener. I think HON. SAM GRAVES (By Sidney Peck) that was because she was such a good teach- OF MISSOURI It was in December 1966, that I first met er. Her penwomanship alone was impressive! IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Norma Becker. I had come to New York City And, she was always the teacher and student to attend the executive committee meeting wrapped in one. Probing, questioning: ‘‘How Thursday, December 13, 2007 of the newly organized Spring Mobilization come?’’; ‘‘Why do you say that?’’; ‘‘What are Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly Committee to End the War in Vietnam. Dur- your reasons?’’; ‘‘What is your evidence?’’ pause to recognize Alexander K. Hansen, a ing a break in the meeting, A.J. Muste in- and on. She needed to have the facts straight very special young man who has exemplified vited me to join him with a few others the and the facts had to make sense. She has a next day to exchange views about a number lot of left brain: very analytical, logical, or- the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- of political issues. ganized. But even more powerful was her ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts Being in New York City was new for me, right brain: her vision and sensitivity. Above of America and in earning the most prestigious having lived most of my life in St. Paul, all, Norma was heart and soul. award of Eagle Scout. Minnesota. I braved the big city subway sys- How else can you account for her record of Alexander has been very active with his tem and then found 68 Charles Street. I was leadership in our movement for peace and so- troop, participating in many Scout activities. looking for the name Norma Becker on a cial justice? For ten years, she presided over Over the many years Alexander has been in- doorbell—but no name was listed. So I rang the most prominent metropolitan antiwar coalition in the country—The Fifth Avenue volved with Scouting, he has not only earned both bells and soon a buzzer sounded. I heard a loud yell—a question, ‘‘WHO’S Vietnam Peace Parade Committee. The po- numerous merit badges, but also the respect THERE?!!!!’’ I was too intimidated to re- litical waters of New York City are treach- of his family, peers, and community. spond. Again the loud question—‘‘WHO’S erous, especially those of the left and pro- Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join THERE?,’’ followed by ‘‘THE DOOR’S OPEN. gressive movement. No other city has more me in commending Alexander K. Hansen for COME ON UP.’’ I opened the door and went political splinters, splits, fractions, frag- his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of up. She was standing at the top of the stair- ments, division and sects—all of whom be- America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- way—she had a big grin on her face, looked lieve they are the vanguard. Each of which ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. straight into my eyes and said, ‘‘Hi, I’m proclaims the correct political line. And Norma,’’ and with the same breath—both none of whom shall ever be denied a rep- f question and command—asked, ‘‘What’s your resentative speaker at the coalition dem- HONORING THE ANTI-WAR ACTIV- name?’’ ‘‘Sidney,’’ I answered rather softly. onstration—or else! ISM AND SOCIAL CONSCIENCE OF ‘‘SIDNEY,’’ she exclaimed, and with the ‘‘What do you mean, ‘or else’?’’ asked same breath asked, ‘‘Where are you from?’’ Norma, ‘‘Or else what?’’ And then she said THE LATE NORMA BECKER ‘‘The Midwest,’’ I answered aloud, ‘‘And your nothing—just looked, rubbed her chin and name is SIDNEY?’’ ‘‘Most people call me waited as the demand was withdrawn—and HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Sid,’’ I replied. ‘‘That’s very interesting, how then she smiled. ‘‘Thank you very much for OF NEW YORK come?’’ she asked, and added, ‘‘Come on in helping to reach an agreement on our plans and hang your jacket up in the closet. Have for the demonstration.’’ She was a superb IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES you had lunch yet? Sit down and tell me communicator, even to those who resisted Thursday, December 13, 2007 about yourself, before the others come.’’ her leadership. She was tireless in her efforts Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today That is how our friendship began. She told to build a true coalition. She was an out- me how she was a teacher at a public school, standing leader of the anti-Vietnam war in memory of anti-war powerhouse Norma how she loved to teach but despised the sys- movement. Becker, whose energy, spirit, and integrity tem. She told me about her marriage and di- On April 15, 1967, over 400,000 people fueled the opposition to the Vietnam War. A vorce—about her children, Gene and Diane. marched from Central Park and Harlem and New York City memorial service held in her She talked about her involvement with the assembled on First Avenue in front of the honor on November 3 drew hundreds, under- civil rights movement and the peace move- United Nations to protest U.S. military scoring how her passion for peace won over ment—and more recently the anti-Vietnam intervention in Vietnam and demand an end the hearts and minds of many. She, herself, war movement, of her work with the Teach- to the war. The success of that powerful demonstration was due in large measure of exemplified equal measures of heart and er’s Committee and The Fifth Avenue Viet- nam Peace Parade Committee. A total the work of The Fifth Avenue Vietnam mind—impressing others with the sharpness stranger only moments before, she made me Peace Parade Committee, under Norma’s of her intellect and her thoroughly analytical feel right at home. skillful leadership. and logical approach to problems, but impel- Soon the others arrived and we shared our Fifteen years later, Norma threw herself ling them to act through her vision, her sensi- views about this issue and that question and into organizing New York City peace senti- tivity, her soul. were encouraged to appreciate and respect ment in support of the mass demonstration She was a public school teacher with a vo- the profound differences that occasionally in Central Park on June 12, 1982. It was Nor- racious appetite for learning and social indig- rose to the surface. Norma’s place was a safe ma’s tireless and devoted leadership of the New York City peace movement that con- nation. For 10 years, she presided over the house to the Movement. It gave us a sense of community. tributed immensely to the outpouring of Fifth Avenue Vietnam Peace Parade Com- Just as we were about to adjourn, Diane over a million people in the largest single mittee, the most prominent metropolitan appeared, soon followed by Gene who gave demonstration for peace in the history of the antiwar coalition in the country. She was a everyone a big ‘‘Hello, what’s happenin’?’’ country. founding member of Mobilization for Survival greeting. I liked them immediately because In both of these historic demonstrations, and served as chair of the War Resisters of their great sense of humor. They had Norma carried a considerable burden over League for 6 years. She lent her voice and tal- never met anyone from the Midwest. ‘‘Min- the most difficult political obstacles. On ents, not only to the cause for peace, but to nesota?’’ asked Gene, ‘‘Where in the hell is both occasions, it was her energy, spirit and integrity that helped to sustain the unity of the Civil Rights Movement, as well. Minnesota?’’ So, Norma invited me to stay for supper and answer that question. It was mass action. For more than 20 years, Norma She has engraved her legacy into the Amer- over a meal of whatever was left in the re- was in the vigils, the sit-ins, the days of pro- ican consciousness, and the country is the frigerator that we began a family friendship. test, the trains to Washington, the Hiro- better for it. I submit for the RECORD and the Over many years, I learned to understand shima actions. She did the calling and the interest of my colleagues some of the tributes Norma’s language. Most of all, I learned to fundraising and the letter writing. She went ● This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:12 Sep 13, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\E13DE7.000 E13DE7 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 34378 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 25 December 13, 2007 to this meeting and that conference and We love you, Norma, as our sister, friend spectrum? Did she have a 48 hour day, while hosted thousands of gatherings at Norma’s and comrade—and we celebrate your life.
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