Over the Rainbow Dinner Celebrating the Final ERA Victory

 
Here are ending comments from Phyllis’ speech from Over the Rainbow dinner to celebrate the demise of ERA June 30, 1982, at the Shoreham Hotel in D. C.

The Chicago Tribune, a staunch supporter of ERA, “this week wrote that ERA failed because its backers were out organized, out thought, out politicized and out prayed; and yes, we do accept that.

Out across America, there are hundreds of public officials who literally cannot be bought at any price. … America does have public officials with the strength of character – we have enough of them to do the job!”

Attesting to the broad coalition which joined together across the nation to Stop ERA after it had already been ratified in 20 of the requisite 28 states were the following speakers at the banquet:

Master of Ceremonies Congressman Bob Dornan, U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, U. S. Sen. Jeremiah Denton, Brig. Gen. Elizabeth Hoisington, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sec. of the Interior James Watts, Sen. Dempsey Barrron from Florida, Sen. Richard Proud from Nebraska, Rabbi Herman Uberger, U. S. Sen. James Buckley, William Rusher, Brig. Gen. Andrew Gatsis, U. S. Congressman George Hansen, George Gilder, Dr. Tim Lahaye, Gen. Daniel Graham, Reid Irvine, George Gilder, John Loftin, U. S. Congressman Phil Crane. Congratulatory messages were read from President Ronald Reagan and Paul Harvey.