[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1050
 
                     INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 1994

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] is 
recognized during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, today, March 8, is International Women's 
Day. This date is commemorated at the United Nations, and is designated 
by many countries as a national holiday.
  Throughout the world on each March 8, we pay tribute to women for 
their past efforts, current work, and future actions. We salute those 
who fight to win equality and advance the health, education, and 
opportunities for women in all countries.
  Beginning early in this century, observances were held in the United 
States and Europe to call attention to the fact that the overwhelming 
majority of women throughout the world lived in poverty, and lacked the 
right to vote and hold office. Over the last eight decades, women, 
along with their male supporters, have used March 8 as a time to call 
attention to the status of women.
  The United Nations declared 1975 as International Women's Year and in 
1976 inaugurated the United Nations Decade for Women. Since then, there 
have been U.N. initiatives to improve conditions for women which 
resulted in the creation of the first international legal framework for 
women. In addition, U.N. bodies are continually striving to bring about 
equality by raising public awareness and by a commitment to change 
long-ingrained traditions and attitudes which prolong discrimination.
  There have been three global conferences to date focusing on women: 
at Mexico City in 1985. The Nairobi Conference issued strategies for 
proposed actions to be taken by governments and the international 
community in order to achieve gender equality by the end of the 
century. Now preparations are currently underway for the Fourth World 
Conference on Women to be held in Beijing, China, in 1995.
  While there certainly has been more attention focused on the status 
of women during the last several years, the reality is that women still 
make up the majority of people living in poverty, worldwide and here in 
the United States. Women still face violence, poverty, and injustice, 
are paid significantly less than men, number two-thirds of the world's 
illiterate people, and constitute an average of only 11 percent of the 
members of national parliaments and legislatures.
  Native Americans say, ``women hold up half the sky,'' but we still do 
not hold the power or control the resources to determine our own 
destinys. Not in the world. Not in our Nation.
  On this March 8, there are 48 women in the House of Representatives, 
representing 27 States and the District of Columbia; 6 women now serve 
in the U.S. Senate. There are more women representatives in our State 
houses and legislatures, city councils, and county boards than ever 
before.
  All Americans should take pride in these achievements. But, at the 
same time, we need to recognize that the road to full equality for 
women is a long one. Our journey will continue at home in America and 
with our sisters throughout the world.
  Madam Speaker, we must make every day International Women's Day by 
advancing policies and programs, whether in our domestic programs or as 
part of our foreign assistance, that empower women. The future of our 
Nation and the future of our world depend on recognizing the God-given 
energy and genius of women.
  That is why I am proud to stand with millions of my sisters 
throughout the world--whether in Haiti or Helsinki, South Africa or 
South Central, Japan or Jamaica--in marking this very special day.

                          ____________________