Washington, DC - Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) released the following statement on the passing of former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.

"It is with great sadness that I mourn the passing of my predecessor and mentor, former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.

 "As the first African-American woman elected to Congress and the first African-American to seriously run for the office of the Presidency, Shirley was a trailblazer who opened the doors of opportunity for generations of women and minority politicians.

 "Her advocacy for the education of the disadvantaged, Title IX, and early childhood education established her as one of the foremost education policymakers during her seven terms in Congress.  But her legacy did not end there.  Unmatched as a voice for social justice, Shirley fought for the interests of groups like veterans, Haitian refugees and day workers.

 "A gifted orator, Shirley's 'unbought and unbossed' political style allowed her to make friends and political alliances on both sides of the aisle.  She was truly one in a million and I am honored to have been part of her Brooklyn political circle and to have worked  along side her throughout her political career.  Anyone who came in contact with Shirley Chisholm was forever changed for the better; she is one soul on this earth who is truly irreplaceable and she will be sorely missed by all of those who knew and loved her.

###