LEGISLATION WOULD NAME BUILDING AFTER C. DELORES TUCKER

          HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Senators LeAnna M. Washington (D-Phila/Montgomery) and Shirley M. Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) have introduced legislation (Senate Bill 1180) that would rename the North Office Building in the Capitol Complex after C. Delores Tucker, the civil and women’s rights pioneer and Pennsylvania political icon.

          Under their proposal, the building would be named the “Secretary C. Delores Tucker Office Building.”

          “Dr. Tucker’s legacy to the citizens of Pennsylvania is one of vision, hope, courage and love for all humanity,” Washington said.  “The renaming of North Office Building in Harrisburg in her honor would insure that the extraordinary gifts she has given to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will serve as a living testament to her good works and endure beyond the millenniums.” 

          Kitchen added, “Mrs. Tucker was one of this nation’s most renowned and visionary pioneers of the civil rights and women’s movement. Not only that, she made a huge and lasting impact on Pennsylvania politics. She deserves this tribute to her legacy.  She has paved the way for female legislators such as Senator Washington and myself to lead this Commonwealth.”

          Senator Washington also noted that Dr. Tucker was responsible for not only instituting voter registration by mail, and instituting the first Commission on the Status of Women, but also championed the appointment of female judges and the appointment of women and African Americans to various state boards and commissions.

          Senators Washington and Kitchen sent a letter to Governor Edward Rendell last November requesting that a permanent memorial be established at or around the State Capitol building in Harrisburg to honor Dr. Tucker.  A committee established by the Governor has been working since that time to move forward with plans to honor Dr. Tucker.

          Washington and Kitchen joined Governor Rendell today at the unveiling of Dr. Tucker’s official portrait at the Pennsylvania State Museum.

          Washington told the crowd gathered at the State Museum that if this legislation co-sponsored by herself and Kitchen that renames the state office building to the C. Delores Tucker Office Building is passed, “there will be a permanent structure that will stand for generations to come that is a testament to the life of a women of great ideals, great faith and lifelong commitment to civil and women's rights.”

          “It is a proud moment for all of us today,” Washington said. “As Dr. Tucker smiles down on this mighty gathering this morning in her honor, I can almost hear her saying, ‘I fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.’”

          Kitchen added, “Today, we celebrate her extraordinary life.  There has never been a woman like C. Delores Tucker, and I suspect there will never be another like her.

          “I surely would not be here today without the sacrifices and dedication of C. Delores Tucker.  She paved the way for women of every race, creed, and culture to achieve their dreams.  She was a Pennsylvania treasure, and she will be missed.”

          Senators Washington and Kitchen also presented a bouquet of yellow flowers to Dr. Tucker's husband at the ceremony today.  "I know how much your wife loved yellow flowers," Senator Washington said.  "We would like to present these flowers to her on the occasion of this wonderful celebration."