Barbara Jordan

Re “Ex-Rep. Barbara Jordan, Eloquent Orator, Dies at 59,” Jan. 18:

As a 24-year-old Chilean immigrant who did not grow up in the United States, does not remember the Watergate hearings or Jordan’s keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, I was not one of the fortunate millions who received a political education from Barbara Jordan. I only learned of Jordan’s career while studying philosophy and political science at Cal State Northridge a few years ago. I never met her, except via books and tapes of her speeches.

Jordan’s legislative accomplishments are not what distinguish her. Her careers in the Texas Senate and in Congress are not marked by the passage of landmark legislation. However, Jordan’s accomplishments extend far beyond the narrow scope of the political realm. Jordan spoke to millions of individuals who yearned for leaders who would commit themselves to supporting a core set of issues grounded not in polls, but in the solid footing of raw personal conviction. No American politician of recent times has done that better than she did.

Jordan stood on conviction and fought for what she believed was right. This is the noblest and most difficult task a person can undertake, and she did it with exceptional quality.

Let the entire nation praise her courage and her character.

FABIO ESCOBAR

Granada Hills

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To my mind, Barbara Jordan represented all that is decent and right about America. Jordan would have been my choice to serve on the Supreme Court--just to have her clarity and sense of community direction.

EDDIE TRIGG