Dr. Dorothy Irene Height is awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony honoring her lifetime of achievements in the United States Capital Rotunda by President George W. Bush on March 24, 2004. President Bush awarded Dr. Dorothy Height, chair and president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, with the
Congressional Gold Medal on March 24 at a ceremony in the Capitol in recognition of a lifetime of work advancing civil rights. As a civil rights activist since the 1930's, Height has advanced women's rights, AIDS education, and voter education around the world. Height, one of the major leaders of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, received the Citizens Medal Award from President Ronald Reagan in 1989 and the Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1994. The medal presented to her by President Bush is inscribed with one of her quotations: "I am grateful to have been in a time and place where I could be a part of what was needed."
President George W. Bush listens during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring Dr. Dorothy Height for a lifetime of civil rights work in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Wednesday, March 24, 2004.
Remarks by President Bush at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring Dr. Dorothy Height Wednesday March 24, 2004 4:34 pm ET
Video Capitol Rotunda 2:02 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.) Thank you, very much. Mr. Speaker, and Leader Frist, distinguished members of Congress, I want to thank the authors of the bill that bestowed this high honor: Senator Clinton and Senator Levin and Congresswoman Watson. Thank you all for being here to honor such a fine American. Since the
American Revolution, Congress has awarded Gold Medals to the heroes of our country. And today, we recognize a citizen who has helped to extend the promise of our founding to millions. We recognize a hero. I'm so pleased to join with the Congress in honoring this good and gracious woman and the great life she has lived. And what a life it's been. If you know -- in the presence of Dorothy Height, you kind of -- she's such a calming influence. You realize you're in the presence of grace. But you've got to understand what she's done to realize that behind the grace, there's a will of steel -- (laughter) -- and absolute determination. (Applause.) She's been a leader and a witness to a lot of our great history. We've heard a lot of talk about the "
Big Six." As Leader Pelosi said -- I think it was Leader Pelosi -- "I sure would have liked to have been in the room. I would have liked to have seen Dorothy Height interface with some of the giants of the
civil rights movement." The truth of the matter is, she was the giant of the civil rights movement. They were interfacing with her. (Laughter and applause.) She was there when they planned the
Dr. King's great speech at the Lincoln Memorial. She helped integrate the YWCA. She was in the South during the '60s setting up freedom schools and voter registration drives. She was in Mississippi bringing white and black women together. She was in
Condi Rice was there at the time. She's told me the story about what it was like. It would have taken a presence like Dorothy Height to instill hope and calm and confidence during that very troubled time. She helped create the Black Family Reunion. She's done a lot. She's a woman of enormous accomplishment. She's a friend of First Ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Rodham Clinton. She's known every President since Dwight David Eisenhower. She's told every President what she thinks since Dwight David Eisenhower. (Applause.) I find it really interesting that Dorothy Height has always stressed the importance of institutions closest to us: our families, our churches, and our neighborhoods. She understands that those institutions are important in shaping the character of an individual, and therefore, the character of the nation. In her recently published memoir, Dr. Height wrote, "It is in the neighborhood and communities where the world begins. That is where children grow and families are developed, where people exercise their power to change their lives." Incredibly wise words from a strong leader. Few
Americans have done more than Dorothy Height to help their fellow citizens discover and exercise their own life-changing power. Dorothy has always remembered what her mother told her when she was a girl of eight in 1920. She recalls, "My mother, always so gentle and so firm, put her arms around me. She said, 'You're a nice girl, Dorothy. You're a smart girl. And there are many things you can do.'" Mom was right. There was a lot of things she could do, and she did them, and America is a better place for it. (Applause.) We're proud of you, Dorothy. We're honored to be in your presence. You're about to receive a Gold Medal, but perhaps the best medal we can give as a society is to continue to work for equality and justice for all. It's now my honor to join Speaker Hastert and Senator Stevens, the Senate -- the President Pro Tem of the Senate, in presenting this high award, this important award, to a great American. May God bless you. (Applause.) END 2:08 P.M. EST
President George W. Bush enjoys a moment with Dr. Dorothy Height, Chair and President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women during a ceremony in her honor at the U.S. Capitol. Dr. Height was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of her lifetime of work advancing civil rights. Speaker Hastert Honors Civil Rights Leader with Congressional Gold Medal; Congress Commends Dorothy Height for 92 Years of Service to the People WHAT: Presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to Civil Rights Activist Dr. Dorothy Height WHO: President of the United States, George W. Bush (Invited)
Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert
Honorable Ted Stevens, President Pro Tempore, U.S. Senate
Honorable Bill Frist, Senate Majority Leader
Honorable Alexis M. Herman, Former Secretary of Labor
Honorable Tom Daschle, Senate Democratic Leader
Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader
Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, Congressional Black Caucus Chair
WHEN: Wednesday, March 24 1 P.M. WHERE: THE ROTUNDA, U.S. CAPITOL WASHINGTON, March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert today made the following statement: "Dr. Height once stated, 'We have to improve life... not just for those who have the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system. But also for and with those who often have so much to give but never get the opportunity.' Throughout our lives, we spend a substantial amount of time trying to figure out how to get more out of it. It's apparent that when most people look for "more in life"... they look to give or contribute to some greater cause. Rarely do we find that fulfilling cause. Rarely do we dedicate ourselves to it. "Dorothy Height is a true example of dedication, service, and the ultimate fulfillment life has to offer. She sought to fulfill life's deeper meaning. Throughout her life, greatness was achieved through her dedication to others. "Dorothy Height's accomplishments include work as an outstanding social worker, civil rights leader, and on the front- lines of the women's rights movement. While trailblazing a life of selfless accomplishments, Dr. Height worked alongside America's pioneers including
A. Phillip Randolph. "Dorothy Height's dedication to others was not lost on the White House, either. She has served as a Presidential Advisor in a number of administrations - both Republican and Democrat - receiving the Citizens Medal Award for distinguished service from
President Clinton. "However, there's one thing that speaks louder than all of these accomplishments. Her life is a testament to the American spirit of reaching beyond one's self to make a change for the common good. And because Dorothy Height dedicated her life of 92 years to the service of people, I want to say on behalf of the people...Thank you. "And lastly Dr. Height, on behalf of all Americans...we want to wish you a very Happy Birthday! I'm so glad we could present you with this honor on such special day for you and your family."
Articles & Breifings
