05 LC 33
0762
Senate
Resolution 193
By:
Senators Fort of the 39th, Brown of the 26th, Miles of the 43rd, Seay of the
34th, Reed of the 35th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and honoring the inspiring life and countless achievements of Benedita da Silva;
and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Benedita da Silva was born in humble beginnings in Brazil on March 11, 1942, at
the Praia do Pinto favela and later moved with her family to Morro do
Chapéu Mangueira, where she lived for 57 years; and
WHEREAS,
it was in Chapéu Mangueira that she developed her incredible
assertiveness and persuasion abilities, starting at the social level of teacher
at a community school and later funding and chairing the Chapéu Mangueira
Women's Association; and
WHEREAS,
she later co-founded and directed the organizations known as the Women's
Department of Faferj and the Favela and Outskirts Women's Center;
and
WHEREAS,
in 1982, she was elected city representative by the Workers Party of Rio de
Janeiro; in 1986, she was elected to the Federal House of Representatives,
chairing the first alternate post at the directing board of the House of
Representatives during the National Constitution Assembly; and in 1994, she
became the first black woman in the Brazilian Senate, with over 2 million votes;
and
WHEREAS,
in 1998, she was elected vice-governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro in charge
of all the governmental social programs and in 2000, she chaired the National
Congress on Fighting Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
Intolerance; and
WHEREAS,
on April 5, 2002, Benedita da Silva became the Governor of the State of Rio de
Janeiro, becoming the first woman in history to govern the state; and
WHEREAS,
she was inducted in December 2003 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
as Minister of Social Assistance;
and
WHEREAS, the political life of Benedita da Silva is a benchmark of the new movement of historical rising of the Afro-Brazilians, which started in the 1970's; and
WHEREAS, the political life of Benedita da Silva is a benchmark of the new movement of historical rising of the Afro-Brazilians, which started in the 1970's; and
WHEREAS,
during her life and career, she has always emphasized her identity, based on the
triad which is a synthesis of exclusion in Brazil, of being a woman, black, and
poor, which she has turned into a positive element; and
WHEREAS,
it is only fitting and proper that this body recognize the remarkable and
inspiring ascent and work of this tireless and focused individual.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join
together to recognize and honor the incredible life and achievements of Ms.
Benedita da Silva.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Ms. Benedita
da Silva.