As we celebrate Black American History month this is a time to reflect on contributions made by many African Americans. One person that comes to mind is Barbara Jordan. Barbara Jordan was important because she had an impact on the African American community by being the first African American in the Texas Senate, a Civil Rights leader, a speaker for the Democratic National Convention, and she will always be remembered for her role in the Nixon impeachment. Jordan had many other accomplishments and she worked for the good of others until her death at the young age of 59.
“Barbara Jordan was born in Houston, TX on February 21, 1936, and she was one of three daughters of Benjamin Jordan and Arlyne Jordan.” (http://history.house.gov/People/Detail/16031)
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She also received a lot of support from the former president of the United States; Mr. Lyndon B. Johnson and in 1974 Jordan made a televised speech before the House Judiciary Committee.” (http://www.famousafricanamericans.org/barbara-jordan) Probably what Barbara is most recognized for is her role in the Nixon impeachment. In 1974, Jordan was responsible for delivering the opening remarks for the trial. (http://history.house.gov/People/Detail/16031) Her famous voice is remembered for saying, “My faith in the Constitution is whole," Jordan declared, "it is complete, it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution.” (http://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/barbara-jordan) This speech caused many Americans to take a second look at the Constitution and how this important document keeps people on the straight and narrow. Following this important era of her life, Johnson was recognized for her involvement in Civil Rights during 1975. “In 1975, when Congress voted to extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Jordan sponsored legislation that broadened the provisions of the act to include Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. Although she voted for busing to enforce racial desegregation in public schools, she was one of the few African–American Members