Clinton Pays Tribute to Sojourner Truth

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, right, and others, stand beside an image of abolitionist Sojourner Truth during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, February 15, 2007. Clinton is the co-sponsor of a new law that recognizes Truth's contributions to U.S. history by requiring that a bust of her be placed in a "suitable, permanent location in the Capitol." (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) (Lauren Victoria Burke - AP)

"Sojourner Truth lived for much of her life in New York," Clinton said at a ceremony on Capitol Hill celebrating the achievement. "So I am here as a personal admirer and as her senator," she added to applause and laughter from the audience, which included members of the National Congress of Black Women, which lobbied for the honor for Truth.

"She has a lasting place in the hearts of Americans who care about human rights, who care about women's rights, who care about civil rights and who care about freedom and fighting injustice," Clinton said of Truth.

After escaping from her owners, Truth pressed women's rights and pushed for slavery's end. She met with Presidents Lincoln and Grant, and delivered her famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio, in 1851. She died in November 1883 at her home in Battle Creek, Mich.

Supporters must raise $2 million to commission and produce the bust by the Dec. 20, 2008 deadline.

"This is historic because Sojourner Truth is that symbolic person," said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, who also co-sponsored the bill. She announced that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has donated $100,000 for the project.

___

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) _ Former New York City mayor and Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani will speak to business leaders at Regent University in April, the school founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.

On Wednesday, the school announced that GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney will speak at Regent University's commencement May 5.

Giuliani will be the featured speaker at Regent University's monthly Executive Leadership Series on April 17. The luncheon at The Founders Inn on Regent's campus is open to the public. Tickets cost $50.

Founded in 1978, Regent has some 5,000 students studying on campuses in Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C., and also via online education. The school offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from a Christian perspective.

___

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd on Thursday criticized his congressional colleagues for failing to be more forceful in challenging President Bush's increase in U.S. troops in Iraq.