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OTTAWA, Oct 25 (AFP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the highest ranking black woman in government, paid tribute Tuesday to Rosa Parks, the seamstress who paved the way for Rice's rise by sparking the civil rights movement 50 years ago.
At a news conference here, Rice tipped her hat to Parks, who died Monday at the age of 92 after watching the rights cause blossom from her refusal to give up her seat on the whites-only part of a bus in 1955.
The chief US diplomat hailed Parks as "a pioneer in the civil rights movement who one day was just sick and tired of being sick and tired, and refused to give up her seat and inspired a whole generation of people to fight for freedom."
Parks "lived a life that was long and inspirational well beyond that single act," Rice said. "I think for all of us her inspiration will live on."
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