Description
A California congresswoman and Nobel Peace Prize nominee traces her rise to one of the nation's most respected and progressive voices, the cycles of domestic abuse that marked her earlier years, and her solitary vote against the resolution to give President Bush greater executive powers to wage war.
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee's willingness to stand on principle earned her unsolicited international attention when she was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution giving President George W. Bush virtually unlimited authority to wage war against unspecified organizations, and unspecified individuals for an unspecified period of time in the wake of the horrific events of September 11. Some praised her vote opposing this "blank check" to use force as heroic and inspirational; others called for her death.But this was not her only profile in courage. In addition to being one of Congress's most vocal opponents to the war in Iraq, Lee has been a leader in promoting policies that foster international peace, security, and human rights and has been an advocate for communities of color and for the poor. Her principled stands include disavowing the doctrine of preemptive war, offering legislation to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and helping to lead the bipartisan effort in Congress to end the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan.
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