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The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 12, 1995, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Weldon] is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield such time as our friend may consume for the purpose of continuing his remarks.
Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Thank you very much, and I will be brief.
Representative Jordan's passion for a more just world was unsurpassed. She confirmed her vision in support of civil rights laws that would make our society a more equitable society. In June of 1975, when the House was extending the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for 10 additional years, she sponsored that legislation that broadened the group that would include Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans, and native Americans. In 1976 she was the first woman and the first African-American to deliver a keynote address at the Democratic national convention.
She left the Congress to pursue her teaching career as a professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin to teach and to work with students, young people whom she loved.
Barbara Jordan will be remembered as a tower of strength whose unshakable strength saw us through a national crisis. She will forever remain a shining example of integrity, of courage in public service.
I know that my colleagues join me in extending our condolences to her family and her friends. No doubt it is some comfort to know that future generations will continue to draw on the inspiration from her remarkable life and work.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to allow Members to have 5 days to revise and extend, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Weldon] for allowing us to honor this great American and great lady.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I was very happy to yield to our good friends in continuing the special order in honor of one of the Nation's great leaders. I join with them, as a Member of the Republican Party, in paying tribute to the late Barbara Jordan for all the fine work she did, not just on behalf of the constituents that she represented in Texas, but for people all over this country who had the highest respect for her leadership in this Congress and after she left this Congress.